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To be a published writer...

Being a person travelling through life, you find the way is not always filled with straight paths and clearly marked road signs.  Usually, there winding roads, a few valleys and mountain passes, even a detour or two to negotiate before you reach just one of the dots on the map.

This past spring, I registered for a creative writing class.  And then re-registered for the summer term and now signed up once again for fall; following a path to…? 

Our instructor encourages us to write, be imaginative and think outside the norm.  She also suggested we submit pieces of our work to Oasis Journal; a publication for writers over 50.  Yes, I do have to publicly admit that I am over the half century mark, but that’s okay.  I’m one of the youngest in the class, yet find myself being tremendously inspired by the others.  They have gleaned so much for their years of living and traversing through life. 

To get back on track…I submitted a couple of stories and a handful of poems to Oasis.  About a week and a half ago, a letter arrived in the mail from Imago Press.  It started out, “I am pleased…”  And therefore, so was I! 


A short poem that I wrote for class, with the simple prompt of “a little paperwork to be done,” was chosen for publication in this year’s journal.  So, for my published writing debut, I give you…The Outhouse


Worn, weathered and wooden
Seat carved of one solid piece of oak
The daily trek from the main house
Rituals and nature calling
Sears and Roebuck Catalog at hand
There’s just a little paperwork to be done


Sometimes we all need a little encouragement to follow an interesting side road.  I certainly haven’t arrived, but I am maneuvering my way across the map of life.

Following a randomly, wandering lane ~ Missy

Comments

  1. Wildlife Art by SylSeptember 18, 2013 at 6:41 PM

    Still laughing..I grew up on outhouses..although Grandman and Granddaddy did have tp...love it..Love you Mom

    ReplyDelete
  2. sewsavySeptember 18, 2013 at 7:47 PM

    I remember that poem. It was so cute. Congrats on the Oasis publishing. I'm sure it's the first of many.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Carolyn's MomSeptember 18, 2013 at 8:32 PM

    Good job Missy...I loved the poem...and I too remember the outhouse very well :-)

    ReplyDelete

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