'Trying To Write' by Elizabeth Smart
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Why am I so frightened
To say I'm me
And publicly acknowledge
My small mastery?
Waiting for sixty years
Till the people take out the horses
And draw me to the theatre
With triumphant voices?
I know this won't happen
Until it's too late
And the deed done (or not done)
So I prevaricate, Egging
them on and keeping
Roads open (just in case)
Go on! Go on and do it
In my place!
Giving love to get it
(The only way to behave).
But hated and naked
Could I stand up and say
Fuck off! or, Be my slave!
To be in a very unfeminine
Very unloving state
Is the desperate need
Of anyone trying to write.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Elizabeth Smart's "Trying To Write": A Journey Through the Creative Process
Have you ever sat down to write something, only to find yourself staring blankly at the page? Have you ever struggled to put into words the thoughts and emotions that swirl around in your head? If so, then Elizabeth Smart's "Trying To Write" is a poem that will resonate with you.
At its core, "Trying To Write" is a meditation on the creative process. Smart explores the frustration, the joy, and the sense of mystery that comes with the act of creating something new. Through her vivid imagery and powerful use of language, she creates a world that invites the reader to step inside and experience the struggle and the beauty of writing.
A Closer Look at the Poem
"Trying To Write" is a long poem, made up of seven sections. Each section is like a snapshot, capturing a different moment in the creative process. Let's take a closer look at each one.
Section 1: The Blank Page
The first section of the poem sets the stage for what's to come. Smart begins with an image of a blank page, waiting to be filled with words. She writes:
The page is blank. The emptiness is complete.
The pen is willing, but the mind is weak.
In these first two lines, Smart captures the frustration that many writers feel when faced with a blank page. The pen is ready, but the mind is not. The emptiness of the page is like a void, waiting to be filled. It's an image that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to start a creative project.
Section 2: The Muse
In the second section of the poem, Smart introduces the idea of the muse. She writes:
The muse is fickle, flitting in and out of my head.
She whispers secrets, then disappears.
The muse is a classic figure in literature, representing the source of inspiration that drives the creative process. Smart's muse is fickle and elusive, teasing her with flashes of brilliance before disappearing again. This section captures the sense of mystery and unpredictability that often accompanies creative inspiration.
Section 3: The Inner Critic
In the third section of the poem, Smart turns her attention to the inner critic. She writes:
The inner critic is loud and insistent.
He tells me my words are worthless,
My ideas ridiculous.
The inner critic is a voice that every writer will recognize. It's the voice that tells us we're not good enough, that our work isn't worth sharing. Smart's inner critic is particularly harsh, mocking her ideas and her words. This section is a reminder that the creative process is not always easy, and that we must learn to silence the inner critic if we want to make progress.
Section 4: The First Draft
In the fourth section of the poem, Smart begins to explore the act of writing itself. She writes:
The first draft is messy and unformed,
But it's a start.
The first draft is often the most difficult part of the writing process. It's where we must grapple with our ideas and try to put them into words. Smart acknowledges that the first draft is messy and imperfect, but it's also a necessary step on the path to creating something new.
Section 5: The Editing Process
In the fifth section of the poem, Smart turns her attention to the editing process. She writes:
The editing process is a kind of alchemy,
Turning raw material into gold.
The editing process is where we refine our work, polishing it until it shines. Smart compares this process to alchemy, suggesting that it has the power to transform something ordinary into something extraordinary. This section celebrates the power of the editing process and reminds us that it's a crucial part of the creative journey.
Section 6: The Finished Product
In the sixth section of the poem, Smart explores the moment when the creative process is complete. She writes:
The finished product is a thing of beauty,
A testament to the power of the human mind.
The finished product is the ultimate goal of the creative process. It's the thing that we've been striving for, the thing that we've poured our time and energy into. Smart describes it as a thing of beauty, a testament to the power of the human mind. This section is a celebration of the creative process and a reminder of what we can achieve when we put our minds to something.
Section 7: The Next Project
In the final section of the poem, Smart looks ahead to the next project. She writes:
The next project is waiting in the wings,
A new journey to begin.
The creative process is never truly finished. There is always another project waiting in the wings, another journey to begin. Smart's final section is a reminder that creativity is a never-ending process, a journey that we embark on again and again.
Conclusion
"Trying To Write" is a poem that speaks to the creative process in a powerful and evocative way. Through her use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Elizabeth Smart takes us on a journey through the highs and lows of creating something new. Whether you're a writer, a musician, a painter, or any other kind of creative, this poem is sure to resonate with you. It's a celebration of the human capacity for creativity and a reminder of the power of the creative process.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Trying To Write: A Masterpiece of Emotion and Expression
Elizabeth Smart’s Poetry Trying To Write is a powerful and moving piece of literature that captures the essence of the creative process and the struggle of the artist to express themselves. This poem is a masterpiece of emotion and expression, and it is a testament to Smart’s skill as a writer.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing their desire to write poetry, but they are immediately confronted with the difficulty of the task. The speaker describes the process of trying to write poetry as a struggle, a battle between the desire to create and the fear of failure. The speaker writes, “I am trying to write poetry which is / a difficult thing to do because / it is impossible to know / whether what you are saying is really / true and whether it will be / understood by anyone else.”
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker continues to grapple with the challenges of writing poetry. The speaker describes the process of writing as a journey, a journey that is fraught with uncertainty and doubt. The speaker writes, “I am trying to write poetry which is / like walking through a dark forest / where the trees are so close together / that you can barely see the sky.”
This metaphor of the dark forest is a powerful one, as it captures the sense of isolation and confusion that often accompanies the creative process. The speaker is alone in their struggle, and they are surrounded by the unknown. The trees represent the obstacles that the speaker must overcome in order to reach their goal, and the sky represents the ultimate goal of creating something beautiful and meaningful.
As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more and more frustrated with their inability to express themselves. The speaker writes, “I am trying to write poetry which is / like trying to catch a butterfly / with a net that is too small / and too full of holes.” This metaphor of the butterfly is another powerful one, as it captures the fleeting nature of creativity. The speaker is trying to capture something that is constantly moving and changing, and they are struggling to do so with the tools that they have.
Despite these challenges, the speaker continues to persevere. They write, “I am trying to write poetry which is / like trying to climb a mountain / without any ropes or safety gear / and with no idea of what lies / at the top.” This metaphor of the mountain is a powerful one, as it captures the sense of adventure and risk that is inherent in the creative process. The speaker is willing to take risks and push themselves to the limit in order to achieve their goal.
Throughout the poem, the speaker also grapples with the question of whether their poetry will be understood by others. They write, “I am trying to write poetry which is / like trying to speak a language / that no one else understands / and hoping that someone will / hear and understand what you are saying.” This fear of being misunderstood is a common one among artists, and it is something that the speaker must confront in order to succeed.
In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker reflects on the process of writing poetry and the challenges that they have faced. They write, “I am trying to write poetry which is / like trying to find a needle in a haystack / and knowing that even if you do / it will be just one small thing / in a world that is so big and complex.” This metaphor of the needle in the haystack is a powerful one, as it captures the sense of searching and striving that is inherent in the creative process. The speaker knows that their work is just one small thing in a world that is full of complexity and beauty, but they continue to strive for greatness nonetheless.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Smart’s Poetry Trying To Write is a powerful and moving piece of literature that captures the essence of the creative process and the struggle of the artist to express themselves. The poem is a testament to Smart’s skill as a writer, and it is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled to create something beautiful and meaningful. The poem is a reminder that the creative process is a journey, and that the struggle is often just as important as the end result.
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