That's because, for many years, writing was my secret life. And so this poem remains one of my all-time favorites:
A SECRET LIFE
by Stephen Dunn
Why you need to have one
is not much more mysterious than
why you don't say what you think
at the birth of an ugly baby.
Or, you've just made love
and feel you'd rather have been
in a dark booth where your partner
was nodding, whispering yes, yes,
you're brilliant. The secret life
begins early, is kept alive
by all that's unpopular
in you, all that you know
a Baptist, say, or some other
accountant would object to.
It becomes what you'd most protect
if the government said you can protect
one thing, all else is ours.
When you write late at night
it's like a small fire
in a clearing, it's what
radiates and what can hurt
if you get too close to it.
It's why your silence is a kind of truth.
Even when you speak to your best friend,
the one who'll never betray you,
you always leave out one thing;
a secret life is that important.
is not much more mysterious than
why you don't say what you think
at the birth of an ugly baby.
Or, you've just made love
and feel you'd rather have been
in a dark booth where your partner
was nodding, whispering yes, yes,
you're brilliant. The secret life
begins early, is kept alive
by all that's unpopular
in you, all that you know
a Baptist, say, or some other
accountant would object to.
It becomes what you'd most protect
if the government said you can protect
one thing, all else is ours.
When you write late at night
it's like a small fire
in a clearing, it's what
radiates and what can hurt
if you get too close to it.
It's why your silence is a kind of truth.
Even when you speak to your best friend,
the one who'll never betray you,
you always leave out one thing;
a secret life is that important.
So now I have a new secret life. And I hope you do too!
And while you're there, get to know Cheryl. She was the one who taught the class (on freelance writing for magazines) oh about a dozen years ago that got me on the road to publication of my poems and stories!
Conference planners: Cheryl is a brilliant teacher. Hire her. Your attendees will thank you!
Now go visit Diane at Random Noodling for Poetry Friday Roundup! And the fabulous Heidi has added something humble to our Progressive Poem over at my juicy little universe.
OH. And my video is up at Renee LaTulippe's No Water River! Renee is pretty amazing. I am in awe of her technoskills and enthusiasm for poetry. She has done SO MUCH this month to add to the growing canon of work on the web by poets for children. Thank you, Renee! I'm thrilled to be included.
Happy day, all!
This really strikes a chord with me because I am a closet writer. You are the first person I have ever heard confess the same thing. I imagine there must be many of us.
ReplyDeleteSomeday I hope I will have the boldness to declare myself a "writer," to the people in my day to day life.
But for now, I am comfortable in my safe place and will just keep writing... :)
Thank you for sharing this, Irene.
Natalie - I think writing for oneself is probably one of the most honest, true things a person can do. There is so much value in the bravery it takes to put your innermost self on the page. And then, yes, there is a whole other sort of bravery required to share that work with others. I can tell you this: for me, it's the best part. Connecting with others over some bit of your heart that exists in writing... THE BEST PART. Keep writing, Natalie. And someday, surprise those folks, honor them and yourself by sharing your gift with them. xo
DeleteIrene--You are so generous and gracious with your encouragement. I think for me, becoming comfortable in my "writer-skin" has been a very gradual process. I finally started my blog back in December, using my real name and my real photo which was huge step for me. But I've never attached my last name to it--(which was no accident)--and I've definitely never told anybody about it. :)
DeleteIt has allowed me to connect to a very talented and supportive writing community online, and participate in way that builds my confidence little by little. I am still not at the point where I feel comfortable sharing my writing life with people in my day to day world--but I'll get there someday.
The last four lines of this poem struck such a deep chord with me,
"Even when you speak to your best friend,
the one who'll never betray you,
you always leave out one thing;
a secret life is that important."
I thought..."That is my life...."
When I read you blog it made me think about how many times we would be talking and I would say ... you know when I... and you would say ... I didn't know you ever did that or wanted to do that..
ReplyDeleteMy secret life is dreams of making all these ideas in my head come from the shadows and live.
I would also like to invent something that would change the world.
Can I make a request: TELEPORTATION. That would change my world, for sure! :) You have indeed lived many lives, my friend. I love your stories!
DeleteThanks for sharing your "secret" with all of us, Irene!
ReplyDeleteI'll be looking for more Stephen Dunn, too!
Wow - what a poem. Thanks for sharing, Irene, and I'm glad your writing life - the parts you choose, anyway - shines a light for so many others now, too!
ReplyDeleteAaah!!! What a wonderful poem that is. I am so glad you decided to share your secret life with the world, Irene! I'm not sure what my secret life is...perhaps it has to do with all the things I'm not but could have been.
ReplyDeleteThank you SO MUCH for taking part in the poetry extravaganza at NWR!! I hope you know you can come back any time!
I love this. And I think Baptists would approve. ;) xo
ReplyDeleteHa, Caroline! That's one of my favorite parts of the poem, Baptists as accountants. Probably depends on what one is writing. :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteA secret life IS that important. I love that poem, and I'm so glad you shared it. I also read your interview over at Cheryl's place. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie. We spend so much time thinking of secrets as unhealthy/bad, and of course they can be... I love that this poem celebrates secrets. Also, been meaning to tell you... after reading your posts on your experience with The Artist's Way, I think I'm going to give it a go very soon. Thank you!
DeleteI really love the lines:
ReplyDeleteWhen you write late at night
it's like a small fire
in a clearing
ME TOO, Katya! Here's to those small fires! Thank you for visiting.
DeleteThis is a new one for me! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this poem before. I can relate. (Enjoyed your interview at Miss LaTullippe's)
ReplyDeleteviolet
Thank you, Violet! There's another similar poem called "Hidden" by Naomi Shihab Nye. It's also one of my favorites. And hey, isn't Renee awesome?
DeleteYou have shared so much news here. Sorry it's Saturday, but just couldn't get to everyone yesterday. I can see why your poem is something you return to again & again. Sometimes it's hard to give up all the self even if you've given more & more as the years pass. So, each time you share I can imagine that it's a new secret. That's how I think I am. I believe there is an essential core that may never be revealed, & that's okay, keeps the fire burning. Thanks Irene for all, & I loved your interview at Renee's!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, secret lives. Very telling, just the thought of it. These are my favorite lines:
ReplyDelete"When you write late at night
it's like a small fire
in a clearing, it's what
radiates and what can hurt
if you get too close to it.
It's why your silence is a kind of truth."
-- resonates with me deeply - the silence being a kind of truth. When words fail, and poetry nods off into the distance, there is always the power of silence.