6/8/19: Gerry Muse–why do I write?

A Bard Born and Made

I knew my imaginary friends were imaginary. They became my first characters. I could entertain myself for hours on end with books, fiction and nonfiction. I felt fascinated at the power of language to capture that sublime, almost inexpressible experience.

The stories came early. I told stories while playing Dungeon Master for my friends and I–without dice and modules! I wrote my first short story before 8th grade, and I cracked the poetry barrier by 10th grade.

I write to express the ineffable. I write to evoke the experiences I’ve had, the beauty and ugliness I’ve encountered, the joy and sorrow I’ve felt. I write to make sense of things. I write to tell the story.

I write because I must. I would have it no other way.

that bird song

as branches sway

in the sunlight

how poetry incarnates

another of life’s moments

for the Tanka Poets on Site Gerry-muse post