The Fall Edit
Inspiration takes various forms depending on the time of year. Right now it’s Fall, so is it really a coincidence that while we’re editing our film Wolf Stories, what’s inspiring me is the editing nature of fall gardening?
I love being out there clipping and weeding and doing the fall clean-up. I pruned and added an arch for the out-of-hand wisteria to drape over. All the pears have been harvested and preserved. And of the millions of black Hollyhock seeds generated this year, I deliberately sprinkled handfuls along the fence lines to grow next year.
In other seasons, gardening is much more sporadic for me. In Spring, it’s allergy season, in summer, it’s hot, and in winter, it’s raining. Don’t get me wrong, I still go out there, it just isn’t consistent. But in Fall, there is a daily consistency that is possible, and I love it.
So Fall is focused editing time indoors and out. It’s also time for a Fall cleaning and cleanout, (more editing) ordering the garden, and working with existing poems, films and stories.
Later, in winter, inspiration for new things and for new parts of current things can begin. And in Spring, that inspiration will blossom, and in Summer, lots of energy is spent making things.
But Fall — Fall is a time for enjoying what I have already, sculpting it, and making it better. For me, it doesn’t feel like a time to begin brand new things. It’s a time to enjoy working at what I’m already doing, to take time to refine my projects and make them better. To share and express them collectively with others.
I’m curious how others react to the seasons, especially as writers or artists. Do you have the same changes? Different changes? Or is there more consistency throughout the whole year or in shorter or longer blocks of time?
Sparks
Poetry Reading
Come hear me read at the 27th annual Petaluma Poetry Walk. 11am, Sunday, Sept 17, at the Hotel Petaluma in Petaluma. I’ll be reading from my book 1912: Poems of Time, Place, and Memory and also sharing more recent poems.
Spark Magic
Did you know I have another substack newsletter? It’s called Spark Magic and it’s where I discuss all thing Tarot using my deck the SparkTarot®.