My goal has not been reached; but I am practicing. I don’t yet know when I shall succeed in learning not to write; the obsession, the obligation are half a century old. My right little finger is slightly bent; that is because the weight of my hand always rested on it as I wrote, like a kangaroo leaning back on its tail. There is a tired spirit deep inside of me that still continues its gourmet’s quest for a better word, and then for a better one still.
~ Gabrielle Colette (1873-1954), shortly before her death at the age of 81 from “Earthly Paradise: An Autobiography of Colette Drawn from Her Lifetime Writings”
Notes: Quotes: Brain Pickings. Portrait: ecritsdefemmes.fr
A kindred spirit!
She is… Albeit operating at a higher plane than most of us.
Ain’t that the truth! Ah well, it’s good to have something to aspire to, no? Keeps one on a forward trajectory….
That’s it….
i completely understand this –
I understand this, applaud Colette, and thank her for inspiring me further. I’m off to learn more about this kindred soul.
So glad that I had a wee bit to do with firing your inspiration. 🤗
Wonderful writing. And she describes my kangaroo finger very eloquently too.
Yes. Wonderful writer. As to a kangaroo finger, it would be akin to my forehead bangin’ on table.
She’s right. Writing is an obsession!
It is!
There is something in her eyes,
Captivating, that look of knowing.
Yes, come to look closer, there is.
It’s amazing how in some of those old photos you can hear a pulse, a heartbeat almost.
To always have a beginners mind. That is a gift. It is a life time of practice as she says. 🙏🏻
Oh no doubt about that. I grope around like a toddler.
Ha me too!
“Learning not to write. ” I hope I never figure that one out.
I’m still figuring it out.