Friday, March 26, 2010

Working is in progress

I cannot mail your check today.

I cannot have a date to play.

I cannot go where Grandma lives,

Or wash your SpongeBob SquarePants skivs.

I will not read your manuscript

Or listen to your hissy fit.

I'm leaving stale milk in the car.

I have to turn off NPR.

I cannot change the kitty litter,

Or waste the day away on Twitter,

Write that months-late thank you note,

Or figure out which way to vote.

Dishes pile up in the sink.

Honestly, my kids both stink.

Birds are nesting in my hair.

I know it seems like I don't care,

But I do. I promise. It's just, you see,

I have a book inside of me.

And though my heart is full of doubt,

I have to let the book come out.

When my head is full of words,

The other stuff is for the birds.

So I can't find your other clog.

I can't walk the neighbor's dog.

I can't lift and I can't jog,

And sadly, sadly,

I can't blog.

26 comments:

Mary Witzl said...

Oh, I DO understand! I was having one of these weeks not long ago, but I've let most of my book out now so I'm back.

Let that book right out! (Great poem, btw.)

Ann Finkelstein said...

Thanks for the smile.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jacqui, great poem. Thanks for sharing!

cath c said...

beautifully and aptly put. i will share

Anonymous said...

Girl - you know I'm a sucker for a poem. Especially a funny one.

And this one hit my funny bone.

And the "I know exactly what you're talking about" bone.

I'm not sure where that bone is located, but I'm pretty sure it's beside the "this revision is driving me crazy" bone. Yeah. I think they're connected.

Lian said...

This is fantasric. Thanks for hsaring, studio Mothers! And Jacqui, nice to meet you. No wget back to work.

Lian

www.chaoschronicles.com

Maurissa said...

I came over from the blueboards to read- Love this so much! Thanks for the smile!

AnneB said...

Great post, Jacqui! I'm going to bookmark it.

C.R. Evers said...

LOL! this is perfect. :0)

Look forward to seeing you when you can blog again.

Unknown said...

This is AMAZING!

You go write, Roomie!

Anonymous said...

I'm working on a book and lately I have come up with excuses not to get to work on it . Last time I looked i was on page 28. Procrastination sucks because guilt follows right behind.By the way I loved the freestyle poetry.Thanks to you for making me get back to typing.

Torre Eiffel said...

GREAT, REALLY GREAT, AND TRUE.

Jacqui said...

Thanks, all, for the smiles and encouragement. I am still writing, but I will be back as soon as I come up for air...

Sarah Dooley said...

Well said!

Julie Musil said...

Oh my, so funny and so true! I'll post this comment, then get off the internet RIGHT AWAY!!! Thanks for the fun.

sally said...

Loved this!

Sherrie Petersen said...

What a great poem! I SO relate to this, all of it :D

claudia said...

Oh, yes!

claudia said...

PS If you MUST fidget, check out my blog for SHORT bursts of inspiration. I just started them, gathered from the wits and wisdoms of wonderful writers, agents, editors, and illustrators. A new one will pop up every 3 days, and they will put you back to work!!
www.claudiaharrington.blogspot.com

Jean said...

So true! That writer within MUST break out into symphonies of words!

Jean
http://www.jeanmathewhallwords.blogspot.com

LS Murphy said...

This is great. I just sent my husband a link so he could read it & better understand what I'm going through.

Anita Clenney said...

So funny...and often true!

T said...

Just checking in now! I love the poem. Great rhythm and I'm such a sucker for that. I hope someone has found time to wash the kids by now.

J. Thorp said...

I would complain about your long absence, but it's shorter than mine, I think...

Julie Hedlund said...

This is FABULOUS!! I'm going to print it up and give it to my husband - lol.

Jacqui said...

Thanks, Julie!