#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

“Flora,” Collage, excerpt from “Flora [erasure]” by Kelly DuMar

Wave wakes me. His mother wants coffee and he has been sent to find out if I’ve made it yet. No. But I don’t mind. I need to get up. I’m so happy to be home with him. Tomorrow he goes away for a week. I have such a busy and focused day on my manuscript. After my ski. I shorten it. The trail is still fresh enough. Such a snow base! It’s cold though, my fingers freeze. I attend, on zoom, a manuscript intensive. Frank and I talk while I ski. He’s helping me warm up and get into the right mind-frame. There is always trepidation. What to expect. It’s a vulnerable process. Will I get what I need? Will I get what I want? And what if I don’t? Well, it was a top-notch experience. I worked intimately with one other writer with a manuscript and the facilitator. The other manuscript poems were so strong. Turned out to be a writer I’ve not met in person, but whom I’ve known in the literary landscape, whom I’ve wanted to meet. It was a nice surprise. I loved seeing her manuscript. Lots of positive feedback. Then, my turn. It’s working. My poems are working. My manuscript is working. I could really feel that. I knew it. But hearing it was also encouraging. The work of the day, the approach of ordering and experimentation and discussion was wholly worthwhile. I don’t have all my answers. I don’t have a fixed plan. But I feel that I am excited to make my choices now and I’m clearer about how and why. Frankly, I was elated with relief and satisfaction. Sigh. It took the whole day and then I was happy to do a few chores, clearing up the kitchen and such. We had a relaxed dinner in front of the tv, Wave’s choice. I worked on this collage and sent out my weekly email to subscribers. A very satisfying and productive day. So much gratitude.