Welcome to the Wakefield Doctrine (the theory of clarks, scotts and rogers)

Something a little different this week.

Readers of the Wakefield Doctrine have, on numerous occasions, heard me describe the Six Sentence Story, (hosted by Denise), as a weekly opportunity to practice the craft. (I owe zoe a debt of gratitude. More than once I indulged in a post-Six lament, bemoaning the fact I was the worst writer in the ‘sphere. At the time she was the host of the bloghop and invariably would respond by saying something along the lines of, ‘That did not suck. You are getting better. Don’t stop.’)

Well, imagine my surprise last Friday when, after writing an aside to Paul’s comment at Denise’s Six Sentence Story, there came a reply (in this thread), ‘Oh yeah?! Lets see ya do that in the form of a poem.’ (Or words to that effect. Evident among the various blogs and blog writers in these pages, there is a positivity shared by participants. D. Avery provides an illustration of my personal philosophy on learning, i.e. hang out with people who have the skills I want to acquire and never give up.)

My reaction to her challenge manifested as a plummeting feeling in my stomach… ‘Poetry! Ayiieee!!’

Funny emotional reaction story notwithstanding, the second most pervasive theme running throughout my tenure in the blogosphere has been: ‘Don’t get comfortable. If you don’t have a stomach-ache you’re not pushing yourself. If you don’t push yourself, you’ll never get better at this writing thing.’

Prompt word:

Vessel

A mirror-pure sun bursts into light.

Sound and gravity, new gods, roar and pull the body claiming dominion.

Amid exhausted wails and un-practiced cries, a child,

decanted and tossed onto blue-linen shores.

Safe vessel burst, the quiet eternity of a dark saline sea,

now forever lost.

Video (long song but worth the time)

https://vimeo.com/208085174