Writing for the Love of It

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My grandfather was a poet. He didn’t find this out until after he retired from over thirty years as an electrician for Dow Corning. His family treasures every one of his poems. Each of his daughters keeps a copy of his work collected in a three-ring binder, and I wish I knew where to find those poems he would write and send me on my birthday.

But you’ve probably never heard of him, even if you’re a hardcore poetry fan. You’ve never heard of him because he never published or sold a single poem, except in the occasional senior-center newsletter. To my knowledge, he never even tried to sell any.
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This is because, to be honest, he wasn’t a very good poet. We all knew it; even grandpa knew it.

“So,” you might be asking, “how can you say he was a poet?”

If your measure of a poet (or writer) is the number of published works, money earned, or popularity with readers, then you wouldn’t consider him a writer.

But Grandpa didn’t write for any of those reasons. Not being good at writing didn’t stop him from doing what he loved, and it didn’t stop us from treasuring every one of those poems.

He didn’t care if his writing appealed to the masses. He wrote for the same reason we love his writing: It was his way of expressing himself.

He recorded his thoughts, feelings, and observations in each poem, much the way another would do in a journal. Then, he shared them with the people he loved.

Money is nice, but it’s not the only reason to write.

Grandpa Barnum was a deep and deliberate thinker. He was slow to speak, often contributing to a conversation after everyone else had jumped ahead two or three subjects, but when he did speak, his words were always worth listening to.

And there is a wealth of wisdom, wit, and experience in every poem and short story he penned.

He continued his writing almost up until the day he died, well into his eighties. And the value of that collection can’t be measured, even though it will probably never earn a dime.

​So, the question I have for you is What words do you have in you that need to be written, that have value beyond dollars and cents?

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​If you’re interested in Grandpa’s poetry, I’ve included a few here, both below and at the top of this page. Also, keep an eye on my Facebook and Instagram pages. In the next month or two, I’ll be posting a selection of my favorites.

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Creative Writer
1-14-95

The writer was Dutch
And behaved as such
For the diet he gave his staff
Were synonym rolls
Served with coffee of decaf

Became carried away forgetting time
Attempting to think of a creative line
While watching the beautiful birds
As they frolic, feed and play
While racking the brain for creative words

When all was said and done
I have had loads of fun
Creating a few lines of wit
Putting aside my aches and pains
A time to relax, think and sit

Creative Writing

Writing is similar to doing the laundry. First, you obtain some ideas. Next, file them into your head; add a little Tide detergent to clean up the act; tumble them around in your skull. Then, observe how they come out.

Be sure to use the gentle cycle always. Oh! Lord remind me to use words that are tender, kind and gentle, for tomorrow I may have to eat them.

Next, toss them in the dryer; test them with the heat of time. Millie reads the story, taking out the moisture, adds a little Bounce to soften the fabric. The garment is removed while still hot, given a vigorous shake to eliminate many a wrinkle. It’s now time for the ironing where critics, friends eradicate the remainder of the unwanted wrinkles. The final touch is the crease pressed in to give that special look.
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Foot Prints
4-16-93

If you expect to leave foot prints in the sands of time,
Step high don’t drag your feet.
But be cautious not to take on too large a burden,
One that you are unable to complete.

A smart person is one that looks out for others,
But knows when the word no to shout.
It is unwise to become loaded down,
Not being able to move about.

​Wisdom, compassion blended with love,
Makes one truly wise, they say.
For this insight I will pray.
Then I shall become extremely wise today.

-Robert Ira Barnum

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Rebecca Miller is a professional copyeditor and general fan of all things having to do with the written word and the English language.
You can check out her website at Oakdale Editing or connect through Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Email.