Dear Writer, consider the ratio…

by ZacharyWGilbertMarch 30, 2017March 30, 2017

Dear Writer,

How many words will fall from your mind and make broken sentences? How many paragraphs are born weak, and frail, then die within a casket of saved files, and dusty hard copies on the shelf? Writer, what if I told you, that your 1,000,001 word would be your best one? What if I told you, to enjoy the view from the accomplished summit of the high mountain, it takes sacrifice. Missed steps, twisted ankles, lost breath, and half of a good day. In the end, the final step gets to reap the fortune of earned victory. So let your fingers dance on the keyboard until the keys are worn and faded. When the F and J keys loose their bump, and the space bar is greasy smooth. The elevation feet are broken, and the Ctrl key sticks from the coffee you spilled on your third edit. For one day, upon your wall, you will hang the trophy of your published work, next to empty pens and broken keyboard. All of your lost and dead words, will lay the foundation for the ones that live.

The war of writing will consume many words, the fortune of victory is found by sheer numbers.

Offered Light

by ZacharyWGilbertMarch 19, 2017

Writing and teaching

for the sake of the reader

for the benefit of the student,

is a golden act.

…

Ideas forged, molded, and perfected

may one day take flight,

like a million butterflies,

made of soft yellow light.

Drifting in the blue air,

between minds.

Eyes, and ears,

feast, and soar!

…

The final and true trill,

a buried treasure,

hidden in a held breath.

as readers, and students,

understand, and thus

conquer the moment.

…

Understanding becomes a trophy,

held in an glassy orb,

with a swirling metal bottom,

plugged in,

glowing a brilliant yellow,

over the worthy heads,

of the educated.
…

Haiku flavored, slice of life

by ZacharyWGilbertMarch 12, 2017

Forgotten hour,

time shifts at night,

sleepy with coffee.

…

Hot coffee cups.

Black sweetness, gulp!

Day becomes, better.

…

Letters falling

from minds sentences.

Stories, are found.

…

Red inked pages.

Writing in errors,

perpetual edit.

…

Little blue book,

for, ideas capture,

story is born.

…

Music in the air.

Acoustic guitar plays,

pinging waterfall.

…

Writers Chair.

High back, brown, fluffy.

Body dissolves.

…

Dear Writer, it is parlay time!

by ZacharyWGilbertMarch 4, 2017

Dear Writer,

The vivid portrait hanging over the morning sink, glistens in yellow light. It is dawn, and you have met the person that controls your fate. Why do you remain in a prison of self inflicted doubt and submission? If you work at something, at anything, you will get better. If you stay where you are, you will remain where you are. Yes, yes, you created a book, you wrote and rewrote it. It may need to reside on the shelf for a moment. Now you know the rhythm, you have the discipline. Small bites, small bites. Write to an Op / Ed! Good, now people who you have never met, have read something you have written. Now, it is time to be brave dear writer, write for money. Paid articles, gain experience, build that portfolio. Then, then to the book. Use what you have learned. Edit it. Give it joyfully to beta readers, then listen. Remember that you will soon etch your words in stone. Carefully shape your writing… then, soon dear writer… that wonderful portrait, that hangs over the sink will depict a happy and successful writer, who was once brave enough to parlay their talent.