I have been interviewed by Spillwords as part of their Author of the Month feature. This is a great honour, and I am grateful to all who have showed their support, and especially those who voted for me. Do have a good look around the site, as this is truly a place where words matter, and where writers are encouraged to develop their creativity.
To celebrate this achievement, I’d like to share a poem below, which I think is self-explanatory. Please note that the Featured Image is most certainly not me, but was chosen to fit the image of the poem.
Composure
Composure is a state of mind
so I’ve often been told
and who should know better than I:
so often discomposed
and indisposed
to behave just as I am told
I should?
Composure is the holy grail
of gracefulness,
decorum and deceit:
the one true goal
of womanhood
so some would teach young ladies
to believe.
Composure of this kind
is poison to the creativity
and freedom of the mind:
abandon deportment and elocution,
leave your shoes behind,
run wild, compose yourself
a different way.
Composure I renounce,
and in its place choose
composition
of a new form of self-love;
a way of life, writing the lines
which reach your heart, untamed
and un-break mine.
Β© Experimentsinfiction 2021, All Rights Reserved
There is a character in Bleak House by Dickens, Mr Turveydrop. He does absolutely nothing but flaunt his ‘deportment’. Your lovely poem reminded me very much of that.
Thanks Hobbo! Itβs years since I read it but I do remember that excellent Dickensian name π
I’ve just started re-reading my Dickens collection and his works are full of the most wonderful characters. The man was a true genius.π
Absolutely agree! Whatβs your favourite?
Probably David Copperfield which I’ve read so many times. I’ve re-read Bleak House and Our Mutual Friend, and am working my way through the rest of them. His characters and descriptions are astonishing and I love the way he has a go at the establishment whilst retaining his wicked sense of humour. He has a particular fondness for bashing politics, the legal and the medical professions. In fact, thinking about it, nothing is safe from his acerbic witπ
Heβs just the kind of character we need nowadays! I think my favourite is Great Expectations and/or Little Dorrit
Agreed. He is by far my favourite author.π
I am so on the same page with you Ingrid. Beautifully written.
Thank you Jude π
My pleasure 3
Ingrid, congratulations once again. I am thrilled for you. A big heart for your interview which I enjoyed very much. The poem is beautiful too.
Bravo!!!!
Thank you so much Gabriela for all of your kind words and support πβ€οΈ πΉ
My pleasure π₯°β€οΈπΉ
Beautiful poem and enjoyed reading your responses in the interview. So happy you were featured! β€οΈ
Congratulations! I love the photo and poem you are celebrating with.
I enjoyed reading a bit more about where writing is taking you and what it means to you. Composure is one of my favorite words, though often we learn to be too composed and end up not being able to let our walls break down. <3
Thank you Jaya! Of course, being discomposed all the time isnβt the best idea…but it is nice to let go sometimes!
Congratulations, Ingrid! Lovely poem and so wonderful to get to know you a bit better. π
Thank you Susi π
You’re very welcome, Ingrid! π
Congratulations to you! ππ»
and yes…
“leave your shoes behind,
run wild, ”
β₯β₯β₯
Wonderful poem, valuable insight. Thank you!
Thank you!
oh i so love this poem and how you continue to recompose yourself!!!
It’s a master piece and reflection of your inner work as is the recognition you just received!
YAY!!! πππππ
Thank you Cindy π€ so pleased you enjoyed this one! ππ₯°
awesomeness!
Congratulations on achieving such a great accolade!
Congratulations, Ingrid! Love the poem and totally agree with your perspective. <3 All the best!