ON-LINE ISSUES

V.4 N.1, March 1997

To Do:

by gary william rasberry

Centre for the Study of Curriculum and Instruction
University of British Columbia

On busyness and keeping lists and becoming a writer
(the struggles of being a plain ordinary human being)

1. When I grow up
   I want to be a writer.
   I love to write (when I can find the time that is).

2. When I write
   I like to be organized and in control so

3. I write only after I have
   tidied up
   eliminated
   crossed off
   the very last item on my list
   of Things To Do.

4. Maybe tomorrow I will hide my list
   of Things To Do
   in the sock drawer.

5. But first I must re arrange my socks:
   wool socks to the left
   coloured socks in the middle
   white cotton athletic socks to the right

6. Stubborn and static clinging to this sock drawer apartheid policy
   odd socks: strays mismatches hole in heel socks tucked away
   towards the back of the drawer
   dress socks: dark and thin argyles expensive socks in a tiny pile
   just behind the wool ones

7. Always a new category waiting to be born:
   tie clips baseball cards condoms bandanas hankies
   all pretending to be socks,
   seeking to rent space in the top dresser drawer,
   but not underwear, never
   underwear.

8. Ready to write now but better check my list one last time...

9. Things to Do
   1. organize sock drawer
   2. clip toenails
   3. vacuum the cats
   4. make up tomorrow's To Do list
   5. re check yesterday's To Do list
   6. fret and worry over future decisions
   7. regret past decisions
   8. place names of all my friends on index cards
   9. itemize and inventory spice rack

10. My To Do List keeps me busy,
    it feeds my monkeymind
    makes musing difficult at best
    but maybe tomorrow I will create a sacred space
    for writing.

11. Place a crystal on my window sill to
    re-direct the sun's rays toward my desk for
    inspiration and enlightenment.

12. My pen will weave its way
    through sparkling rainbow splash lines,
    black ink making love
    to a solar powered spectrum of colour
    that allows me to paint words,
    arrange them
    in unlisted ways.

13. Tomorrow's To Do's:
    1. purchase crystal
    2. find invisible thread in basement
    3. hang crystal in window sill

Further Distractions: More Reasons Not To Write

by gary william rasberry

Centre for the Study of Curriculum and Instruction
University of British Columbia

1. It seems I don't have a desk suitable
   for writing or maybe the writing
   desk is in the wrong room.

2. Here in the kitchen, the light seems just right
   in the bedroom
   tumbling in through the window

3. it splashes the plants
   somersaults across the carpet
   playfully inviting

4. calling me
   asking if I can come out to play
   with words.

5. Too bad I'm busy
   deciding which room is best
   for writing.

6. Memorizing this blank page,
   staring hard
   at its whiteness in order to

7. recognize it in a crowded room
   full of blank pages.
   Giving in finally

8. moving to the bed
   room
   normally reserved for sleeping resting relaxing reading

9. for making love
   but not for
   writing

10. poetry
    (to sleep per chance to dream),
    and now the cats

11. come to pad upon my page,
    purr in my ear,

12. good company but
    writing must be done
    in solitude.

13. Alone now
    with my thoughts
    can't think,

14. sinking down
    deeper
    

15. duvet better
    get up
    move back to the

16. knife-fork
    coffee-spill
    all-night

17. kitchen table
    writing
    room.