Tell me Paris was beautiful. Tell me the Eiffel Tower wasn't a cliche. Tell me the cafes weren't too crowded. Tell me the rain didn't bother you. Tell me the croissants weren't overcooked and tell me the tour guide's accent wasn't too thick.
I know Paris was always only a metaphor.
I just wanted to be inspired.
I wanted to go watch a concert in the park tonight, but nobody else wanted to go. So there goes that feeling in my stomach again. I thought only teenagers felt this way. Now I'm saying things to my son, trying to hurt him. I must be poison.
I spent the afternoon trying to explain Caitlyn Jenner to my mom. I don't think I understand it all myself.
I'm not a woman inside, I just want to be inspired.
I just want to be inspired.
I bought this book like 10 years ago.
WHAT THE $%*#?
But I've dedicated my life to Paris, as if Paris were the only place a creative person could dedicate his life to. But I created a Twitter with the WritersParis handle. But I purchased a domain name at WritersParis.com. But I've had students buy me calendars and journals and bring me back things from Paris. But my wife bought me a picture of Paris from Ikea. But I had Paris tattooed across my back in Old English. (Kidding.)
I've struggled to work on my novel this summer. It's much easier to tell wide-eyed teenagers they should be writers than it is to actually be a writer myself.
I guess I just want to be inspired.
So whether it's Paris or San Francisco, I don't know.
Maybe it's Lehi.
Maybe that was the point all along.
Oh my, oh yes. This. Just all of this. I wish I could explain. Maybe I should change the Underground name to Writers San Francisco, because we all moved away. (mostly kidding.)
ReplyDeleteIt was never about Paris, that was just an excuse
Hey. Paris was beautiful, even if it was a metaphor. The real beauty was being in a classroom where all we did was help each other and be ourselves. So thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteAnd maybe sanfransisco is cool too, but paris is home.
I really like this post.
I miss the metaphors
ReplyDeleteWherever Paris is, you've taught a lot of idiot high schoolers some important things.
ReplyDeleteThe ending to this post is killer.
It's like when they say "you can take the girl out of Texas but ya can't take the Texas out of the girl"
ReplyDeletethat's how I feel
but with Paris
and we're stuck in highland or Lehi or alpine or wherever but Paris never left.
Paris is the best metaphor this class could be based upon. My Paris was Iceland. Now it's my car. Paris changes location but it's always been the same.
ReplyDeleteHey so AFHS Poetry Club is doing a Summer Slam open mic on August 12th, at 9pm at 746 N 730 E American Fork and we would absolutely love it if you came! I'll probably have all the LP kids I know who were actually your students get this to you too, because I get that you don't know me. Technically not true, I did come to your class once with Hayley Tanner. But anyway, we really want this to be big for LP creative writing kids too, and really anyone who loves poetry and writing. If you want to come share or listen that would be great! And even if you can't make it if you could spread the word to any of your students that would be super appreciated. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou can email me with any questions: emmaheath97@gmail.com, or you can ask Hayley Tanner or Savanna Jones
Hey. I was about to say "Paris will always be a Paris" and I realized I subconsciously have given Paris a second definition. A place for creative thinkers, a place we all go to in our heads with our notebooks… you know what I mean. And yeah Maddie M, people's Paris's change often I think. I recently have found a liking for windowsills.
ReplyDeleteHave you heart of Tyler Knott Gregson's Write Yourself Alive program?????!?!?!?!?!?!? It's similar to the way your CW classes work. There's an online classroom with daily prompts and we all write and comment on each other's work. It's an incredible network of writers. You should check it out. You'd be all over this.
Also, I have something for you. Are you ever at the school?
I'm definitely checking out that website. I've heard of the guy, but not the writing group thing.
DeleteAnd I'll be at the school quite a bit. I'll be in becca gardner's room tomorrow from 12-4. Then random mornings and afternoons until teachers start again on 8/14.
Paris is just another name for your heart.
ReplyDeleteI guess some plagiarizing fake-author decided to name his San Francisco.
i never liked San Francisco.
My Paris was never really Paris. More often it was rainy days mugs of hot cocoa and a hand to hold. And as long as I savored those moments and sat down and took a moment to write. My Paris served as an inspiration and a place where I wasn't afraid to be a poet.
ReplyDelete