You Love a Thing? Write Like

Today’s slice is inspired by Jacqueline Woodson’s poem “You Love a Thing?” in Before the Ever After.

Do You Love a Thing?

When I was little,

I didn’t mind writing

so much as I was good at it.

I won essay contests and

got A’s on papers and

was even accused with

“Is this all yours?”

when I used words like “forged”

to describe how friendships form.

Apparently “forged” is

too sophisticated for

a junior in high school.

Now, it’s something I love.

The time ticks by and

I don’t care.

Through every skipped

and burnt meal,

and lost sleep,

and underwater conversation,

I still love it.

I love the way

the words and ideas

come to me

when I’ve been writing.

Not always while I’m writing, but

always in the space between.

Love the call for

slices every March.

Love the community,

friends I’ve never met.

Love the commitment;

nothing like a good streak.

I love the way I see life differently,

use time differently,

live mine differently,

publicly casting votes

for the person I am becoming:

Someone who

loves this thing,

this

writing

thing.

---