Should I do the dishes or write a poem?

[Lizzie]

More people will eat off my dishes than will read my poems.
The kitchen smells

like last night's dinner was left out in the Arizona sun
for 3 days,

and possibly 3 nights – the smell is Biblical.
Time, organic material, and heat:

a holy trinity of stench. But, my poetry stinks too,
so that's a wash.

Doing dishes is Sisyphean: the same dirty dishes,
the same soap –

sponge, sink, window,
water-logged belly

(versus the same melancholy thoughts, dark cast,
washed-up themes?).

Transparent and thin, my ideas bubble up, then vaporize.
Dishes win, dammit.

[Leanne]

I've actually managed to compose quite a lot of poems while doing the dishes, or in the shower, or watering the garden -- mundane activity frees your mind to wander to very strange places.

We can't change the repetitive nature of washing dishes... but we can certainly do something about poetry. And you are. Make those dishes shine -- reflection is very important

[Achebe]

I've actually managed to compose quite a lot of poems while doing the dishes, or in the shower, or watering the garden -- mundane activity frees your mind to wander to very strange places.  

We can't change the repetitive nature of washing dishes... but we can certainly do something about poetry.  And you are.  Make those dishes shine -- reflection is very important

Not to stereotype (but of course, to stereotype), Australians are quite zen about the banality of existence. I think it's the mildness of the climate, and the relative flatness of the country.
Also, no one has been eaten alive by a kangaroo.
Washing dishes is boring, lizziep.
Just ask your kids to do it. After all, they owe you their life.

[Lizzie]

Washing dishes is boring, lizziep.
Just ask your kids to do it. After all, they owe you their life.

God, it's boring.

If only I could: they're 2.5 and 5 years.

They OWN me.

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I've actually managed to compose quite a lot of poems while doing the dishes, or in the shower, or watering the garden -- mundane activity frees your mind to wander to very strange places.  

We can't change the repetitive nature of washing dishes... but we can certainly do something about poetry.  And you are.  Make those dishes shine -- reflection is very important

Thanks for the kind words, Leanne ><

Yes, reflection is important. Maybe I'll try harder to meditate on the process this time. I mostly try to imagine that I'm NOT doing it

[just mercedes]

Oh dear! Your poem reminds me of Zen - chop wood, carry water ... I'll let T D Craig say it better;

'The essence of living a spiritual life is contained in the Zen quote “when hungry eat, when tired sleep.” Now before your mind reacts and you say to yourself….’Gee thanks for that incredibly obvious piece of wisdom.’ Look at this quote more closely, along with the initial passage above ‘before enlightenment chop wood, carry water…after enlightenment chop wood, carry water.’ Break life down into the simplicity of the present moment. As human beings we do not live in the present moment. We carry our past forward with us, we yearn for something in the future and all the time we miss what is in front of us at all times. Life is beautiful right in front of us at every moment. Focusing on this moment right now removes the mind from drifting to wants, needs, desires….all driven by the mind in search of attachment. With attachment comes suffering.

[Tiptoethroughthetulips]

I thoroughly enjoyed this poem. I really enjoyed the comparison between your poetry and it stinking and your dishes being dirty. However I have to assure you that are dead wrong in this! Your poem has style and I think you are gifted.

[next]

You did both.

(When I was so depressed I didn't have the volition to put socks on, I could still wash dishes.
This odd miracle saved me from suicide -- dishes can be held on to.)

[Lizzie]

Oh dear! Your poem reminds me of Zen - chop wood, carry water ... I'll let T D Craig say it better;

'The essence of living a spiritual life is contained in the Zen quote “when hungry eat, when tired sleep.”  Now before your mind reacts and you say to yourself….’Gee thanks for that incredibly obvious piece of wisdom.’  Look at this quote more closely,  along with the initial passage above ‘before enlightenment chop wood, carry water…after enlightenment chop wood, carry water.’ Break life down into the simplicity of the present moment.  As human beings we do not live in the present moment.  We carry our past forward with us, we yearn for something in the future and all the time we miss what is in front of us at all times.  Life is beautiful right in front of us at every moment.  Focusing on this moment right now removes the mind from drifting to wants, needs, desires….all driven by the mind in search of attachment.  With attachment comes suffering.

Yeah, if there's one thing I'm not in life, it's Zen I can see the wisdom here, though.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this poem. I really enjoyed the comparison between your poetry and it stinking and your dishes being dirty. However I have to assure you that are dead wrong in this! Your poem has style and I think you are gifted.

Thank you! Sometimes, I have to write about what's in front of me in that moment. Occasionally, it works.

Thanks for the encouragement ><

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You did both.

(When I was so depressed I didn't have the volition to put socks on, I could still wash dishes.
This odd miracle saved me from suicide -- dishes can be held on to.)

When I get depressed, housework is the first thing to go by the wayside. I'll think of you now when I do my dishes -- you're right that they are at least tangible. Glad they got you through. ><

[billy]

funny how writing about not writing a poem can bring out success.

[Vanity]

Loved this. I SOoooooo can relate.....lol

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Btw, this is a great example of the power of a compelling title...I wasn't going to stay on here long, but I skimmed your title and.....*click* couldn't resist....

[Lizzie]

funny how writing about not writing a poem can bring out success.

Ha! Yeah, sometimes the best course of action is just to keep the ink flowing -- eventually something will come out. Whether it's good or not....well.....

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Loved this. I SOoooooo can relate.....lol

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Btw, this is a great example of the power of a compelling title...I wasn't going to stay on here long, but I skimmed your title and.....*click* couldn't resist....

Hey, Vanity! Good to see you on the site again! Yeah, I struggle with titles. But, you're right -- especially in this day and age when so many things are vying for our attention. Gotta have that click bait!