An Unlikely Superhero

Ask a kid what they want to be when they grow up and they might say they want to be a fireman or a dancer. Perhaps a superhero like superman, which in grownup-speak means policeman, soldier or even preacher because they are saving the world from evil. But—by the time they are finished with school—they will typically change their minds a few times based on local opportunities, pressure from parents and tuition fees.

When someone asked the young me about my future, I said, “I’m going to be a writer.” I kept a diary and later some journals. I wrote stories and created crudely assembled “books.” I entertained my family by reading them my flawed but heartfelt poems.

 In high school, I had one superhero and her name was Edna St. Vincent Millay.

The way she had experienced various passions and perspectives in life and then wrote about them, made her a sort of idol I wanted to emulate.

Although I’ve outgrown my enamored feelings—here are a few (romantic) facts about a writer and poet who lived a charmed life, creating not only lyrical poetry but who also had amazing success.

1.       She had red hair and green eyes!

2.       She wrote an opera for The Met.

3.       She owned an island called Ragged Island in Maine.

4.       She lived in Vienna, Rome, Budapest, Paris and New York

5.       She wrote articles for magazines using the pseudonym Nancy Boyd.

6.       She received the Pulitzer Prize

7.       She married a Dutch importer in 1924

8.       She died working all night on her last book of poems.

My favorite of her poems are:

a.       Renascence

b.      Childhood is the Kingdom Where Nobody Dies

c.       The Fawn

d.      Dirge Without Music

e.      Hyacinth

f.        Souvenir

g.       The Philosopher

h.      The Poet and His Book

i.         Conscientious Objector

Her poems are emotional and delicate, not contrived. Her tender words touch on love and innocence as it teeters on the brink of mortality. Perhaps subjects I didn’t need to be so enthralled with at age 17 but glad her words are still sitting on my shelves waiting for me to return. And now that I’m a mature “writer,” it’s time to set new goals. Anyone have an island for sale? Maybe  I better start with red hair.

Hyacinth

Edna St. Vincent Millay

I am in love with him to whom a hyacinth is dearer
Than I shall ever be dear.
On nights when the field-mice are abroad he cannot sleep:
He hears their narrow teeth at the bulbs of his hyacinths.
But the gnawing at my heart he does not hear.

How about you?

What were your childhood aspirations?

Did you have a superhero that you wanted to be like when you grew up? 

Five Reasons For Keeping a Journal

I used to be an avid journal writer and recommend it for anyone wanting to jot down information about important events or for those suffering through tough times. Journal writing is very cathartic and soothing. If you’re looking for directions, answers and searching for meaning, there’s no better place to start then with the stuff that’s already inside your own heart. It’s writing that doesn’t need research because it comes from within. Here are five good reasons to keep a journal near you at all times.

 The Art of Writing

1      They aren’t teaching penmanship in school anymore. Make it your personal mission to continue the tradition of the written word. If you need to practice cursive writing, then you might want to try this fun practice website where you can type something and then print it: Practice cursive writing

Once you’ve mastered the basics maybe you’ll go on to calligraphy which is still considered the “art of writing” and still used for thank you notes, invitations and announcements. A journal is a wonderful place to practice your calligraphy or cursive writing.

Dreams

2    A journal is a great way to document dreams. Someday in the future when you reread your dream journal maybe you can understand why those dreams happened in the first place. If you feel your dreams, nightmares or visions are personal, then get a diary with a lock, or find a secret place for storing your journals.

Travel

3    Keep a travel journal filled with all your sightseeing and dining experiences. Someday when you need to round out an article or blogpost on Costa Rica or Hawaii, you can use some personal experiences to make the piece meaningful or heartfelt. Readers want to know about the actual places you have visited and what happened when you landed at the crowded airport, what you thought of your hotel and which restaurants were the best. And when you write your memoirs, you’ll be prepared!

Therapy

4    Words can be shields through the tough times--especially during times of mourning and loss. If you have recently lost a friend or relative then write your feelings down in your journal before posting your pain on Facebook. Get it out. Let the tears stain the pages. Your supportive friends will be there when you’re ready to share your summed up emotions. Write until you understand which direction to go and which path to take. Write until the fog seems to settle and the sunshine peaks through the bleakness. Write to cheer up or to figure things out.

Sketchbook
5. Can’t think of anything important to write about in your journal? Then doodle. Draw something or paint on a page. Use colored pencils or felt-tip pens and make yourself laugh. Draw hearts, flowers or the tangible tears you’re feeling. Maybe draw the summer memories at the shore. There’s a reason you want to make an entry in your journal and perhaps words aren’t enough right now. Use what you can to make a statement. Draw around your fingers and date the page. Copy a recipe onto the facing page or jot down what you’d like to watch on television. Have a conversation with yourself or God. Create a poem or a prayer. Ask and you shall receive.