If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.
Marcus Tullius Cicero
I found that quote yesterday when replying to a comment, so if you saw it then, I apologise for the repetition. I was actually looking for another quote, but I thought that one would do just as well. It is also good enough to bear repetition.
Robin, Arnot Hill Park
For some reason my thoughts of writing always centre round this time of year. I am sitting in a book-lined room, with busts of historical figures on my shelves. It is pleasantly warm, bees are buzzing the lavender, the scent of lilacs drifts in through the open glass doors and I smile as I put my fountain pen down and look at another finished manuscript.
Reality is always a little different. I have no glass doors, my writing room is lined with chaos and the scent of toast fills the air. I have two small busts on my shelves – Cromwell and Dickens. I chose Cromwell because I like Cromwell and I chose Dickens on account of the quality of his beard. I have tried to enthuse myself to read Dickens again but I’m failing.
Tulip
On the other hand, re-writing Wilkins Micawber as an amateur detective has a certain attraction. Pea souper fogs, opium dens and mysterious, gaunt, black-clad figures do all the work for you. All you need is talent and time . . .
Meanwhile, back at the poetry, which requires little time and, let’s be honest. only a smattering of talent, I have had some more acceptances. last week I had three accepted by one editor – a haibun, a tank and a haiku. They have never accepted a haiku off me before. Then this week I have had a haiku accepted by a magazine which has been resisting me for some years. They used to accept things, then the new editor stopped. Now, with a new editorial team, they have accepted one again. It just goes to show the power of hard work and persistence. I haven’t really improved as a poet, but I am getting more published, so it has to be the work rate and the persistence, though I suppose there are talented poets out there who would take issue with me about my approach.
Feeder with Greenfinch
That is an impressive collection of acceptances. I doff my hat to you.
Thank you. It is about to take an abrupt downturn as I there is only one journal looking for submissions this month. I will have to look for something to do. I was looking round the garden last night and find we have yellow archangels – don’t remember seeing them before your blog post – I see they are edible. Julia says I have to leave them for the pollinators.
I would tend to agree with Julia on that. I am not a forager.
I am, though I do it for interest and novelty. . It’s just that I’ve rarely found anything that is better than its shop bought equivalent. Best case is fat hen – easily available but much more fiddly than spinach. So I buy spinach.
Talent AND persistence. You have both.
Congratulations, Simon! You have a lot of talent, and are persistent, too!
You’ll make me bludh! But thank you..
Congratulations
Thnk you Derrick.
I have a friend who doesn’t read books and doesn’t plant flowers or vegetables. But I think I’m happier than he is.
I have no doubt about it. It may be painful to think about things, but the idea of not thinking about them terrifies me. Anyway, thinking about garden pests and trump are better than thinking about arthritis and old age. 🙂