Dry Farming

[poliphilo]

A moment of self doubt yesterday. Actually, not just a moment. I've been feeling like this for weeks. Good to get it out into the open

It does get harder. I've been writing a blog for five years now and it's like the wells are running dry. Auden has a neat little poem about being in this situation. I used to have the book but I think I sold it or gave it away- so I'll paraphrase. When the water table sinks and the rain dances don't work any more you switch your strategy and practice "dry farming" (whatever that is). Late Auden isn't as compelling as early Auden, but it has a scratchy, self-deprecating quality I like. He wasn't as good a poet in old age as he was in his youth, but he was still something.

The harder it gets, the harder you have to try.

Comments

[jfs.livejournal.com]

"Bullroarers cannot keep up the annual rain,
The water-table of a once green champaign
Sinks, will keep on sinking: but why complain?
—Against odds,
Methods of dry farming may still produce grain."

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[jfs.livejournal.com]

You're welcome :-)

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

Your last sentence is writing in a nutshell.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

I find I get more gnomic with age.

[sovay]

The harder it gets, the harder you have to try.

I think any art is like this.

I'm glad you try.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

But trying is not always enough. Sometimes inspiration is simply withdrawn- and there's nothing that can be done about it.

Creativity is a deep mystery.