Do Real Writers Get Excited About Herons
I reckon they do. But I don't. And I explain why in this post.
While I wait for The Next Big Writing Idea, I'm busying myself writing pieces that are fun, which I'll perform at spoken word events.
In my play, I spoke about being a contrarian. Well, I reckon I'm also a contrarian writer, and I explore this in my pieces, which I call the Being A Real Writer series. I can play with the stereotypes of the typical writer and poke fun at them.
I'm going to share a piece with you now, all about how I reckon my fellow writers get fierce excited about herons – and I don't. I'll be performing it at a poetry and open mic event called SpeakEasy tomorrow night.
And here it is. Please bear in mind that hearing it performed will be a different experience.
If I Were A Real Writer…
I'd get excited about herons.
Writers get wicked excited about herons. Especially poets. But to me, they're grey blobs. If I saw what poets see, maybe I'd be excited too, but my eyes are too wonky. Maybe it's because for me, nature has blurry edges, but it doesn't excite me.
Photo Description: Here’s a picture of heron perched on a rock above a river, its wings spread out. It has a long beak and grey feathers. Now I can see the heron close up with my magnifier, I’m starting ti understand why writers get excited about them.
I live in a country full of field-heavy literature. Our books, poems and plays are soggy with fields. But for me, a field is a field. Give me a canopy of gnarly branches, the crash of a wave. I need my nature to roar.
I Get Excited About Shiny Buildings
If I have an affinity with any bird, it's the magpie. Because I love shiny buildings. I stare in wonder at shiny buildings that shape the skyline. I'm drawn to buildings with gleaming walls and floors, buildings that have their own jungle laws.
Schools and hospitals, which hold a weight within their walls. Cafes and hair salons that hum with warm chatter and give delicious hints of secrets that lie underneath. Theatres and libraries, where you can lick culture off the walls.
Walking Through Streets
I don't want to walk through fields. They're too lumpy. Instead, I want to walk through wet streets on a Sunday morning, streets full of bewildered American tourists hovering between plane and hotel.
I want to hear voices around me speaking in many tongues, a snatch of music. I want to breathe in the smell of bin slop and coffee, as I moved through a promised land of concrete and glass.
Pluggety Plug
Plug Alert: If you're in the Waterford area, you're welcome to come and hear me and many other talented people perform at SpeakEasy. We also have a featured poet, Jessica Traynor and a musician called EJ Mae. It's all happening tomorrow night, Friday 28 October, at 8pm in Phil Grimes Pub in Waterford City.