Volume IX, Issue 41
October 7,2020
Word of the Week: timekeeper
Dear ,
Funny how you can hear a phrase over and over your whole life, and then one day, hear it in a whole new way. That what happened when I read Mary Struble Deery's poignant poem "Timekeeper," in which a once reliable timepiece begins to have trouble keeping time. Don't we all, at some point? I thought. Time, in fact, is one thing we never get to keep. But we can keep time with the music of our own
hearts, something Mary is a master at.
I'm delighted to share Mary's poem, in both written and auditory form, as this week's featured writing. Mary's was one of only eight poems selected for the program the Charlotte Writer’s Club ran in conjunction with The Mooresville Art Gallery. They turned ekphrastic writing on its head…and asked artists to create art BASED ON writing. (It’s usually the other way around; ekphrasis is a literary description of or commentary on a visual work of
art.) Among the other poets are published authors, folks with MFAs, and professors. Mary was, she says, "honored to be in such stellar company."
I'm honored to be in Mary's stellar company on Tuesday mornings, along with the stellar company of her Under Construction classmates. (This is an old photo, because, you know, none of us are meeting in person in groups anywhere but Zoom in these days!)
Mary is a "timekeeper" herself, as she's the one who always makes sure we take a group photo each semester, so we have a record. She's the vivacious woman in red to my left. She sets her camera's timer, then jumps right in!
I could go on and on about Mary's gifts—she's a natural "connector" of people (her neighbor became my amazing realtor), she's a prize-winning short story writer, she's a lavish celebrator of any and every special event, complete with props (my grandsons Rhys and Harry love the plastic yellow "Under Construction" hats she brought for an end-of-the-semester party) AND
lyrics to familiar songs custom-made for the occasion.
But what I may appreciate the most about Mary is the way she models being a beginner, with zest and verve. When she decides something would be fun, or interesting, or just ought to happen—well, like in the above photo, she leaps right on in.
Scroll on down to meet Mary and her "Timekeeper." And keep some time for yourself and your writing this week—along with some time to enjoy these golden October days.
Maureen
I created the process shared in these two books in June of 2002, shortly after my mother died, as a way to mindfully mourn this loss—and celebrate her life. I shared it with a beloved friend, the Reverend Rebecca Taylor, when she lost her father, and she encouraged me to make it available to others. Here it is, in two versions, both of which offer quotes, reflections, prompts, and space to write about your loved one, as well as beautiful photographs by Wendy H. Gill that enhance each part of the process. Either
version makes a thoughtful condolence gift for a friend or family member.
How Do I Say Goodbye? is for those of any faith, with quotes from many different sources to accompany the process. It can be purchased on Amazon here.
Praying You Goodbye is specifically for Christians, with accompanying quotes from Scripture chosen by Reverend Rebecca Taylor. It can be purchased on Amazon here.
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POETRY ROCKS!
Would you like your writing—prose and/or poetry—to be more
graceful, powerful, beautiful? Do you sometimes find poetry confusing or intimidating and wish you could “crack the code”? Or do you enjoy writing and reading poems, but want a more thorough understanding of what makes a poem good? Then this poetry extravaganza is for you.
Expect a good time exploring what makes a poem a poem, gaining the knowledge you need to confidently create and revise poetry, and strengthening your writing skills in all genres.
It would be a joy and an honor to share what rocks about poetry with you.
HERE’S WHAT YOU GET:
- 23 poetry creation tools, delivered one per day (Monday through Friday) to your inbox—in honor of National Poetry month. Use them as you get them, use them when you can, use them over and over to create poems. Each tool zeroes in on one aspect of poetry and provides an innovative method to approach writing a poem. Many
of them are great for creating prose, too. The tools include:
* a purpose, so you’re clear what you will learn
* background information when helpful
* “how-to” directions to create a poem
* an example that illustrates the poetry tool in action
* a short reflection to solidify the concepts covered
* “Hone Your Craft” suggestions for further exploration
* a short reflection to solidify the concepts covered
- A PDF document of each tool that you can print or save on your computer
- An audio recording of each tool, so you can learn by listening and/or reading
- Instruction on the role of audience, reading like a writer, and the process of revision, including a handy Revision Checkpoint Chart—this information can be applied to strengthen your prose as well as poetry
- Additional poetry resources
- An e-book that contains the information and resources covered, as well as your 23 poetry creation tools for ongoing use
WHERE: From the comfort of your own home, via the web.
WHEN: Any time you want! And once you receive all 23 tools, they’re yours to keep, which means that you can keep using them for years to come.
COST: $45
TO REGISTER: To pay with a check via mail, email info@wordplaynow.com for instructions. To register for Poetry Rocks online, click here.
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TAG, I'M IT!
Both the year-long TAG, I'M IT! AND three-month TAG, I'M IT! journals offer—in no more than five to fifteen minutes—a simple way to recap and celebrate
the very best of each day of your life. The practice of writing out your “T’s” (things you’re thankful for), “A’s” (actions you can acknowledge yourself for), and “G’s” (gifts you’re grateful for) is a transformative one, especially combined with the final step, I’M IT!, in which you intentionally choose three do-able, most-important-to-you actions you’ll take the next day.
The TAG, I'M IT! journal grounds you in two important habits: keeping your focus on appreciating and celebrating the good in your life and intentionally accomplishing what matters most to you. You’ll also create a record of
your most meaningful, happiest events and experiences.
Start your journal—or restart, if needed—whenever you like. (Though a new year is a perfect time!)
An introduction with tips and ideas will help you make this practice your own. Soon, you’ll notice that you’re living your days with more joy, presence, purpose, and intention.
Thank you to Maureen Ryan Griffin for creating TAG I’M IT.
TAG, I’M IT is my new best friend. It’s a guided writing journal that helps me sort through the mental travels of my day. And it helps me zero in on the special moments by reflecting, acknowledging, and saying thank you for the invisible gifts collected in my daily journey.
“TAG” gives me joy. And it gives me a sense of peace. It helps me discover the small and large wonders around me.
“TAG” sits on my nightstand – it’s my last conversation of the day. And I feel satisfied when I turn off the light. When I write in my TAG, I’M IT journal, I’m giving myself a gift.
What a treasure!
~ T. D. Taegel
More WordPlay opportunities coming soon.
Stay posted!
Featured Writer
Meet Mary Struble Deery
Mary Struble Deery fancies herself to be a word musician – but her all good boys do fine (musical notes, in case you need a refresher) are the A's through Z's she uses
to record her dreamed-up stories and poems. She worked in the media side of advertising, so never had a chance to write creatively. She’s now making up for lost time. To find Mary, put her keyboard coordinates into your GPS—you’ll find her there banging on the ivories.
What Mary Says about WordPlay
I’ve been taking classes to learn how to make my writing sparkle and shine from Maureen for over 15 years. You’d think I would have graduated by now…but our class is called Under Construction. I sign up over and over again because I love learning from Maureen, and I love her. I’m getting a sort of MFA on slow
drip.
Maureen is not a Sage on Stage when she teaches. Her classes aren’t just head, shoulders knees and toes. They’re more like an intense stretch class that gets deep into the fascia. I use her wonderful book, Spinning Words into
Gold, to learn the unending technical aspects of writing: character, setting, and punctuation. But it’s her style of encouragement that helps students like me explore what’s in our hearts as well.
She calls herself a midwife helping students get work out into the world. She’s helped us get books published, have poems and essays accepted, and find ourselves doing radio commentaries.
Maureen creates a serious learning environment served up with a spoonful of sugar. We just plain have fun as we learn.
Featured Writing
The Timekeeper
by
Mary Struble Deery
The clunky plastic clock was a cast-off when it moved into
the family cottage—passed along from the Maltbys, who left the island.
This abandoned timekeeper has a prominent position perched atop
the orange antiqued bookshelf in the great room.
After flipping on the breakers in the spring when the cottage is opened,
we twist the knob protruding from her back until her hands
inform the time. With gold curlicue embellishments decorating her face,
she has hummed away, and pointed accurately for many summers.
But now, after many years, she is entering a new stage.
Her vocals seem bewildered.
In her confusion, she rings nine times when it’s actually eight.
The only times the count is right are noon and midnight.
While her voice innocently trips over truthful time,
her proud face carries on as if nothing is wrong.
She keeps us on our toes. We take note, tally,
and tune into the six o’clock news at seven chimes.
We count each ding and then make the mental correction.
We listen, adjust, and accept.
This will be our own wish someday—
gentle understanding when confusion reigns.
Mary Struble Deery, April 2020
You can listen to Mary read her poem here.
Here's Mary with the clock that inspired her poem.
WordPlay Now! Writing Prompt
This is WordPlay—so why not revel in the power and potential of one good word after another? This week, it's “timekeeper.”
PROMPT:
Write about keeping time, using whichever meaning you like, in any genre you like, from any point of view.
MAUREEN RYAN GRIFFIN, an award-winning poetry and nonfiction writer, is the author of Spinning Words into Gold, a Hands-On Guide to the Craft of
Writing, a grief workbook entitled I Will Never Forget You, and three collections of poetry, Ten Thousand Cicadas Can't Be Wrong, This Scatter of Blossoms and When the Leaves Are in the Water.
She believes, as author Julia Cameron says, “We are meant to midwife dreams for one another.” Maureen also believes that serious “word
work” requires serious WordPlay, as play is how we humans best
learn—and perform. What she loves best is witnessing all the other dreams that come true for her clients along the way. Language, when used with intentionality and focus, is, after all, serious fuel for joy. Here's to yours!
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