My view on the phrase "Write what you know" expressed in poetry. |
That old saying "Write what you know" Is foreign and confusing, You see, from my experience I write what I question Feelings I don't understand Circumstances I can't quite place Thoughts I can't put anywhere else, Go into writing. Emotions that confuse me Go onto this screen of mine. Go into my notebook. Snippets of feelings written on the back of my hand In smudged ink pen, obscured by the day and clearly remembered. Write what I know... How do I do this when I'm sure I know nothing No. When I'm sure I have yet to touch on what I should know. Perhaps that is fitting. It hits me, as I write this, I say that not for what ever dramatic effect it may have, But, for truth. As I write this, it hits me that you must simply write not "what you know"... But, you should instead Write what you are. In my "unique" case, any way this appears to be fitting. What am I but a confused mass of conflicting statements and views? Things I don't understand happen with my emotions every day, after all. Write what I know? Stating the obvious; the sky is blue, water is wet. I am not these things. Obvious? No. Transparent? Of course. Obvious. No. I am, more often than not, a confused mass of something. Sometimes a confused ball of happy energy. Other times a confused cloud of angst. That's what I am. As for what I know, that's not as exciting. Nor, as dramatic or prone to pushing to be written. So, coiner of the phrase "Write what you know" I think I'll continue to "Write what I am". |