This post is in two parts, before and after:
BEFORE: A woman I worked with years ago called me several weeks ago asking if I would come do a Valentine’s celebration poetry reading at the residential care facility where she works. I said I would be glad to and have been sitting at my desk this afternoon making my poetic selections from my second book and some unpublished material I would like to try out. Looking at the poems reminds me how much I love writing poetry and how much can be expressed, deeply, potently. My entire self has been crying out these last few months to write poetry again, I have been preoccupied with other things. But it’s getting to the point if I don’t write, I am going to implode. So today, I am really excited to have the opportunity to share my passion and my love for loving God through words with those whom I am sure will enjoy it. It’s at these times I feel like yes, this is what I’m born to do, this is what I LOVE doing. This is what I need to be investing myself in. Perhaps this will be that final push over the edge into a writing storm.
AFTER: The reading was okay. I was right that it tapped my enthusiasm for writing poetry but the audience was either really loud or really quiet. They clapped at the end but I wasn’t sure what they thought of me. I definately learned a few things though. When the show is over and I get back on a regular sleeping schedule, I am going to check out other poetry readings to see how authors handle it.
Tonight’s show went really well, even with several sick cast members. (Me included.) A few of us have colds but we’re glad they set in at the tail end of our time together. I’m getting really comfortable in my part and enjoy it thoroughly. I think the audience does too. Twice in my first scene, I give the waiter dirtly looks. During curtain call the actor who plays him and I have developed a habit of smiling at each other before we bow. It’s a nice moment both of us enjoy.
365-09 #44