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Suite Dreams - Page 2

© Thomas James Martin

I HAVE studied many times,
The marble which was chiseled for me-,
A boat with a furled sail at rest in a harbor.
In truth it pictures not my destination,
But my life. . .Of restlessness and vague desire-
It is a boat longing for the sea and yet afraid.

I wonder how many would-be poets and writers have trembled at those words from Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters.

So, with some trepidation I decided to unfurl the sails again and began filling out the Contributing Editor application. I was eventually approved for a topic called "The Urban Naturalist" in February of the past year, but with so many varied interests I felt constricted and took over "Caring for the Soul" (which was in the process of being retired) in the middle of June.

Even though I had been writing regularly as a technical writer for several years and was writing a weekly column for a local organic foods delivery company, the continual writing week after week of creative non-fiction and reviews for Suite10 has helped to hone my writing skills. Furthermore, I am no longer so much at the mercy of the Muse, that inspiring but oh so pathological creature of whimsy and delight. Inspiration seems to come regularly now with the regular effort expended on writing rather than just when the Lady deigns to dance with me.

So, I feel a lot of gratitude toward Suite101. I feel the Suite has offered me a venue for my writing that I would not otherwise have had. The mere fact of publishing regularly has caused me to stretch myself to attempt higher quality in my literary output.

Moreover, I am gaining a portfolio of published work and valuable exposure on the Internet. It is hard to put a monetary value on my collection of articles or the publicity, but already I have had inquiries for other writing assignments. My resume now proudly lists me as a Contributing Editor for Suite101.

There have been many other ways in which membership in the community of Suite101 has helped me, such as several editors and members with which a loner like myself has struck up some friendships, a few of which run very deep. I very much feel a part of a community, perhaps, more so than I have experienced in a long while.

I appreciate all the diverse viewpoints that I read in the forums and discussions. Some opinions are sometimes quite challenging to my sensibilities, but with the constant exposure and participation in a community of intelligent and talented individuals, I experience my mind opening to possibilities beyond the small intellectual claim that I have so pitifully staked out during my "wink" in history. As one gets on into middle age, it is so easy to become one-sided and judgmental toward other people and ideas, no matter how much you protested in youth that you would never do so.

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