notebooks

I have a new collection of poems due out in August this year with Walker.  Now this is where my note books come into their own- they put me back on our farm, back into unusual situations that only happen on a farm.

I've been trawling some note books, amazed by  the strength of some jottings- jottings that maybe when I wrote them I didn't realize their value- concrete details recreated for a non- farming sector.  I wish I'd written more, more.  But hang on- I had six young kids then, a farm, community commitments, a big garden to feed us, calves to feed, a husband to help and a long distance to travel to shops, services.

But the funny thing, is I found time to write at the busiest time of my life.  Every day, several poems, entries- now?  Hmm, not so.  But then nothing is wasted.  The training I did then has stood me in good stead.  This morning I have just written three poems based on specific memories and photos.   A farm life makes one explore and value the surpring minute gems of life.  It counterbalances the isolation, the loneliness.