Another brilliant piece from a GUNNAS WRITING MASTERCLASS WRITER.
Welcome to My World, she said.
Simple Courage is all you need.
Retired and ready
This writing will be different
something they’ll read,
this time,
Or a podcast on the tram.
The expert equestrian
can’t help but share
tips for people with ponies
but no idea.
Women’s stories
needing to be told
Though it’s hard
to make friends.
They’re hi-fidelity
stories of salvation
and redemption,
stories to spare others
the hard road they survived.
Ideas yet to be born
but itching for air
divining Stephen King
from a cattle station
in the Kimberley.
Put the phone down,
plant a tree –
don’t let it die.
It’s a PhD
to be.
But there’s so much fear
All so unworthy
Or just lazy
Paralysed by procrastination
Crippled by perfectionism
Berated by self-flagellation
Trapped in our heads.
But they all look so capable
As they echo
Each other’s internal critic.
A chorus of insecurity
Begging for permission
Rules and tools
A provocation
A deadline
A dare.
Eat that frog
Change your brain
Just do it
bird by bird.
After all,
we’re not trying
to kill anyone
Just not die
Not doing it
Crushing a life
from the inside out
Strangling a soul.
Don’t waste
One more day.
Start today.
PIDOOMA
Quantity not quality
Begin it now.
It doesn’t have to be
Serious
Wear the showercap
Of power
The ninja headband
of courage
Anything amazing ….
Too good
For ordinary life.
Writing demands
Sky high heels
A silk kaftan
Or a wig
Shut out the world
Ban the internet
Assemble your weapons
Rewards, punishments
fancy fonts
or pomodoros,
standing desks
write anywhere
and everywhere
chase the sun
or the quiet
or the birds
or race the clock
But
Do the thing.
Write whatever it is
wherever you are
in white font
or dictation
for the reader
for the record
and for you,
always and only
for you.
Your book.
Nothing is original
It’s all been imagined before
but it’s never been written
by you
by me.
By Bernadette Nunn