Vox Populi
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Michael Simms: Ten things to do before I start writing today
- Brush teeth.
- Make coffee. (Make toast to go with coffee — got to keep up my strength!)
- Take out garbage.
- Sharpen pencils (I don’t write with a pencil but you never know when a writer might need a pencil!)
- Take dog for walk.
- Admire sunrise (in case I need an image for what I’m going to write!)
- Brush dog (maybe I should give her a bath?)
- Boot up computer.
- Read news online.
- Get really pissed off at president. (Think about writing but there are so many ways he is screwing us I wouldn’t know where to start. Read what I wrote yesterday — hate it. Read what Sam wrote yesterday — love it. Hate Sam. Think about 48-year friendship with Sam. Remember him stealing my girlfriend in college. No, wait that was me — I married her. Remember my first marriage and what a jerk I was. Descend into self-loathing and self-pity. Think about ice cream and its creamy sweetness on my tongue. Ben and Jerry’s chocolate cherry. Vegan. Very good for you! Check freezer for ice cream. No ice cream. Who ate the damn ice cream? Get car keys to go to Trader Joe’s to buy Ben and Jerry’s vegan chocolate cherry damn ice cream. Catch glimpse of self in mirror. T-shirt won’t cover belly. OMG I look like a white whale. Think about writing poem about white whale! Put car keys back.)
- Write poem that begins: Outside it’s starting to snow Ben and Jerry’s vegan chocolate cherry damn ice cream….
Copyright 2020 Michael Simms
Vox Populi 
I get into trouble by bypassing the first 8, and jumping compulsively to #9, which is a dreadful mistake, as there is something in me which wants to evaluate the world, in order to change it, and yet the world stubbornly refuses to be changed on my account. And so I have to make my way back across the broken crockery of all the upsets I invited, to do the simple things – like brush my teeth.
I get in my own way all the time; I’m grateful to know that I am not alone in this, Michael, and to see how you do it.
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Thanks, Dinah!
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In these depressing times, I needed a good, deep laugh. Thanks!
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Thanks, John!
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In that order? I would put #10 between each and very one of the others. Sharpening pencils before you admire the sunrise? What, and poke the pencil into your hand because you’re still half asleep? Old fashioned hang on the wall classroom sharpener or electric? And if electric, why would you make such a raucous sound that early? Sheesh…..Michael, get it together….or go write more good poetry for us to enjoy.
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Happy birthday, young man! Did you get the Adrienne Rich poem I sent to you through your sister-in-law?
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Lovely. Great Ice Cream. One must be the Emperor of Ice Cream ever so mindfully.
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Thanks, Daniell!
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I really laughed; thank you. “Check out Vox Populi Sphere.”
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Thanks, Arlene!
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This made me laugh out loud. Thanks for the laughter, something else in short supply lately.
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Thanks, Roberta!
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Fabulous! Says it all. Thank you.
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Thanks Joy!
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