This is from the Poetic Asides' Poem a Day Challenge. I have been putting most of them on writer's flow, but since it did not show up as an egg-shape in the comments :( ... just in case anyone clicks over, thank you and here:

ova

orb vivo

old yet neo

other form too

oval, round, goo

object holding bio

order inside the exo

only will come to

ounce or two

of oxo

April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.

-TS Eliot "The Wasteland"

I have always liked this quotation. Probably because TS Eliot is so wonderfully weird and "The Wasteland" is a symbolist's dream. But also, because its irony makes so much sense to me. It is easy to get comfortable, hibernate and shut out the world in winter. When Spring arrives with winds and sun, we are biologically sucked out of our caves, whether or not we are ready for it. April is springtime, but it's still cold enough for sweaters, and the occasional blizzard. Sometimes her cruelty lies in deception- it sure looks pretty nice until you step out and get hit by a gale! And of course, April marks many tragedies too.  In a season of life, we still have to face death.

Eliot put it better, of course, and many poets have written about the clash of the seasons. Spring seems to suggest poetry to many. Maybe that's why April is National Poetry Month. [Though I think it has something to do w/ Shakespeare]...I am enjoying participating in the Poetic Asides' Poem A Day challenge and I am recording my results on writer's flow [so you don't have to dig through the hundreds of comments posted-haha :) ]...It is amazing how much poetry speaks to so many people in different ways. I love seeing how others interpret Robert's prompts. Thanks to him for doing this! I am glad I don't have to read them ALL!

Anyone else going to join the fun there? Or does anyone else have a favorite Spring poem or quote?

I started visiting this community a few months ago, was inspired by some wonderful blogs and even made a few virtual friend connections, but I have not really delved into this site enough, nor have I used it wisely to further my pursuit of a writing career. I began the year with several "WriteResolutions" [as one blogger friend calls them] and a lot of enthusiasm after "winning" NaNo and growing in my own blogging experience. Then, my computer crashed, less than a week into the year and exactly a week after starting a new proofing job online. UGH! The Fates were against me, or at least the Family is, because I can blame this one on my son [and just to satisfy my wrath, his father]. In my other blog, I have discussed my struggle with writing block [and procrastination too] and I admit that I am easily discouraged. Actually, depressed may be a better term for it.

So, I spent a unhealthy amount of time feeling sorry for myself, watching C-Span and making lists and plans which may never be met. But, some of that determination was still there, and I did not give up entirely. I dragged myself to the public library to do some proofing and posts; I read two books and began two others; I pulled out old composition books to review and even started a new one [purple!] and I wrote, the old fashioned way.

Now, I have my PC back with a souped-up power box and graphics card, and I have  a new post I am personally proud of [my reaction to the Inaug and the "Praise Song for the Day"] and thank goodness, I have this community to return to with a slight dusting of determination left.

It comes down to the old adage about falling off a horse...I have to get back up now, before it tramples me to death. Time to dust myself off and begin...didn't someone say something like that recently? Well, yes, it is a new era and sort of a new year still, so why not hit refresh in my life and try, try again. In years past, I may have let a blow like this knock me down for weeks, months,  or longer, but truthfully, I missed it, this wonderful wide web of writing and networking. I missed being part of the conversation [especially around the Inauguration- that was like my own purgatory] and I missed my blog.

So, why am I writing this here instead of there? This is a writing community and I want to find my place here too. I definitely want/need to learn more from experienced writers [i.e. published] and I also want to do some more bonding with my peers. I know I can only go further in this field if I keep moving through it. I need to take myself seriously as a writer and work like a serious writer does. Perhaps if I put that in writing, I will actually succeed.

Oddly enough, it is now 12:01 a.m January 27, so this is as good a day to start as any. Wish me luck [well, maybe I need persistance more than luck!]