Attempting to maintain a house, coordinate contractors, watch two Basenjis, and keep track of a Russian Blue that likes to remove the blue tape that marks touch-up spots for the painters has kept me from my update! I feel, that since some of you take time to read this, I should at least explain the irregularity of my regular schedule.
Ideas, ideas, ideas... where do they come from? I wonder that myself. Rarely has the Muse come and whacked me on the head and said, "Write this, dummy!" Usually, I'm allowed to muddle along, churning out pieces that are, in my opinion, barely printable, before she settles me down. If you've read a fair selection of my posted poems, you'll see that it's hard to pin me down on too many themes or forms. I wander through the years, look at different people and places, and I don't really ever stick to one way of doing things. I am reconsidering that, though.I feel it's time to define myself a little more sharply. My first order of business is to steer clear of political poetry, like "Qasida." That seems to go over like the cliched lead balloon.
I'm also trying to avoid strictly regional poetry. Texas has some fine poets who write about this state better than I ever will. So, except for an occasional setting around where I live, or reference to the wonderfully diverse cultures surrounding me, I won't be writing strictly Texas poetry. I've been to places covering half the globe, so I should be able to find some other good places to visit.
You may have noticed that once in a while I write what I call historical pieces. I enjoy writing them, especially those where I'm an unknown, unremarked third party in the company of more well recognized figures ("12 Rue de l'Odeon," "Echoes and Confessions" are examples of these). I also like to write about my own ancestral history ("Culloden"). I don't think I'll be giving up these subjects any time soon. They're just too much fun for me to write.
I don't write much patriotic poetry (see above remark regarding political poems) because there are a lot of people who are compelled to do so. It's difficult material to write well without sounding overzealous or jingoistic. I don't want to fall into that. If I feel that I can write in a patriotic vein while saying something of value, I may do so, just not on a regular basis or at the drop of a flag. It's not that I don't have patriotism; I'm a disabled Air Force veteran. I have some of the best life experiences in the world because of that. I just don't want to single it out as a theme. Occasional poetry is another place I don't go much. The ones I have written have been personal, and meant for that one birthday, anniversary, what have you, alone. The only elegy I've posted was the one I wrote for my uncle ("Thomas Anderson"), but I was asked to do that.
What does that leave the Muse to work with, then? Ordinary people and places, what goes on in my backyard when the hummingbirds battle, restaurant and bar observations, what I hear from my students, the little pleasures I take in my life. No, chasing after a cat with blue tape in his mouth isn't one of those pleasures.
Other than working on my house, I've been formulating my perfumes. That's a hobby most men won't claim, but I enjoy the artistry, the alchemy, involved in creating a new fragrance for women to enjoy. It's like poetry, in a way. Olfactory poetry? Hmm...
