In my writing workshops I teach reflective writing—a way of writing that reflects on something particular (a prompt or suggestion), and reveals something as you put words on the page. You may not have an idea where you are headed when you start, but the process of writing helps you get where you need to be.
That doesn’t mean every piece of writing ends up profound or powerful. Sometimes you just need to get thoughts out of your head and on the page, and leave room for the ideas you can write about next time.
It’s not uncommon to get stuck as a reflective writer, not knowing how to start, or where to go next in the middle of a piece.
I like sharing the writer Natalie Goldberg’s suggestions: If you get stuck, write “I’m thinking…” or “I’m remembering….” and just keep going. Either of those two phrases can help you unlock the next few words…and the next….and the next.
Below, Goldberg uses both phrases to help her reflect on all the sensory details of New York City in her new poem, “Home.”
Thanks to James Crews who shared this one as this week’s The Sunday Poem on Gwarlingo. You can subscribe to get a weekly poem and writing suggestion from James every Sunday.
Home
—by Natalie Goldberg
I am thinking of the rain in New York
the driving rain over the Metropolitan Museum
and the Guggenheim and the small delicatessen
down in the Village that sells flanken
I am thinking of the rain making rivers by the curb
near Ohrbach’s and Penn Station
the shop selling pita sandwiches
the grease and char of lamb
rotating slowly in the raining day
I am thinking of the fruit stands now
the five hundred fruit stands all over New York
I’m thinking mostly of the dark celery leaves
above the green stalks and the bright skins of oranges
I am thinking of Macy’s meat department
And the Nebraska cows
Of the hundred year old air in Macy’s
And the green cashmere sweaters on top of the glass counter
I am remembering the way pizza smells in the streets calling
hunger out of ourselves
I am thinking now of the Hudson River and the rain meeting it
The mist already rising over the George Washington Bridge
And the trees growing wildly on the other shore
a writing prompt
Write about a place you’ve called “home” recalling the sensory details that made it memorable.
Use your memories of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
What do you remember?
What are you thinking of?
