Author: iainthomas

Stop telling people what you write about.
People will read what you write and if it’s any good, they’ll tell you what you’re writing about.
Knowing what you’re actually writing about makes about as much sense as blue eyes knowing that they’re blue.
You can’t see yourself.
Don’t try.
Don’t call yourself “the boy with stars in his eyes” or “the girl who loves wondering about things.”
Make your name blank.
Let your work give you a name.
It’ll fit.

“*”

Refers to the star a person becomes when they live a life and become the center point of a collection of people and experiences that make them who they are.

It can be described as simply who and what they pull together to become something new.

For example:

“All the photos on your hard drive, anyone you’ve ever touched, with a hand or a word, your feelings, the sky and the ocean, you are the * that binds them all together.”

I’ve never heard of it

But it’s got the strange sound new words have

Like Osama Bin Laden

And you learn the way it sounds

So you can say it often

Because you know you’ll need to

When everyone gets together

To solve the country’s problems

From the comfort of our MacBooks

____

From my forthcoming collection of poems about growing up and living in South Africa.  

I know you have problems son

But today I’m staring straight ahead

I’ve been practicing my whole life

And soon I’ll be able to see forever

Don’t wash my windscreen

Don’t try and tell me a joke

Don’t juggle balls

Just don’t

I’m perfecting staring straight ahead

One day, I’ll be able to see the other side of you

 

___

Amongst other things, I’m working on a book of poetry about growing up in South Africa. This is one of the new poems. 

“Ó”

Indicates shock and surprise at how important someone or something has become to your life at the point at which they or it are no longer there. 

For example: 

“Ó… when are you coming back?” 

Read an interview with me by the wonderful people over at Cloudhead.org.

“Δ

 

Used to mark a sentence that neither starts nor ends, or to indicate possession of the sun, moon and stars. 

 

For example

 

“I will wait for you hereΔ

Life is a rock
And poetry is paper
And often
The rock wins