Barbara J. Hamby

We Live in Interesting Times

It occurred to me this afternoon, while I was reading Writer’s Digest magazine, that living in “interesting” times, such as wartime, changes writers’ viewpoints and may attract readers to more fantasy and escape literature. The short story that won first prize in their writing contest this year was pretty far out. I’m not familiar enough with all genres to define it as science fiction, but it stretches the readers’ imaginations.

Some of the poetry I’ve read lately is also more or less fantasy. At least it isn’t clear to this reader what is meant. It reminds me of the quote from a poet who was asked what his/her poem meant and replied, “It means whatever you think it means.” Okay.

What I like to read best and usually write, is pretty straightforward. “Poetry you can understand,” my book cover reads. I’ll never be rich from selling my writing, but that eliminates a lot of problems for me. I won’t have to struggle to simplify my life.

The urge to eliminate unnecessary clutter becomes stronger every year. I keep giving things away and try very hard not to add stuff I don’t need to my crowded house.

Life long habits of shopping for entertainment, and acquiring possessions to keep up with the Joneses are falling away slowly. The Joneses, I’m fairly certain, are paying a lot of interest on mortgages and liens that I no longer have.