I have never thought of myself as a writer, though for years I have been writing every day. And written poetry since I was a girl. And in university too.

But it just seems to me that when I’m writing I’m talking. I’m just sharing me thoughts, perhaps a little more concisely (hopefully a little more concisely). And I like to keep it simple, clean, direct. That didn’t seem writerly to me.

I was chatting about this with a friend and she asked, “What writers do you admire?” “Leonard Cohen. Joni Mitchel. Jane Urquhart. I love the way they evoke a moment precisely in really simple ways, how with a few familiar words you are right there tasting the moment.”

Ah.

POEM by Leonard Cohen

I heard of a man
who says words so beautifully
that if he only speaks their name
women give themselves to him.

If I am dumb beside your body
while silence blossoms like tumours on our lips
it is because I hear a man climb the stairs
and clear his throat outside our door.

from Stranger Music.

(Psst… I wrote this originally on my new little sketchbook. Have you seen it? I’m gathering all sorts of tidbits over there. It’s like my mood board, my doodles, my wonderings. When something feels right, like this does, it will find its way to the studio)

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