by Jim Murdoch
Did you get the
memo? No? Me neither.
Well, it turns out
our generation’s
allocation
of words is due to run
out next spring. Some
administrative
cock-up no doubt.
So, the Council’s setting
up collection
boxes if you find
yourself with a
few extra words (ours is
in the car park
behind the Co-op)
anything you
really don’t need to say,
the odd lie or
swear word, whatever
you can manage.
I was going to get
rid of all my
ers and ums – they must
be of use to
someone. What do you think?
–
Jim Murdoch is a Scottish poet whose work has regularly appeared in magazine since the 1970s. He has also published three novels and blogs regularly at The Truth About Lies.
The Pygmy Giant 
#1 by Sandra Davies on September 13, 2012 - 7:14 am
Lovely and I’d also hope for a way to swap ‘like’ and ‘nowhaddimean’ for proper words.
#2 by Joy Manne on September 13, 2012 - 7:28 am
Deep stuff. I read it twice and then printed it to read again and again. Love the concept. Love the poem.
#3 by Author Jessica Bell on September 13, 2012 - 10:07 am
Ha! What a fabulous poem. Mind you, I wouldn’t expect anything shy of brilliant from Jim.
#4 by thepygmygiant on September 13, 2012 - 2:04 pm
There’s more from Jim later in the month…
#5 by Jim Murdoch on September 13, 2012 - 11:10 am
@Sandra – With me it’s ‘nice’ and ‘interesting’. I doubt I have written a single blog without using both words in each. In my last novel I even have my protagonist go off on a wee rant about her frequent use of the word ‘nice’.
@Joy – I don’t know why but I’m always especially touched when someone prints out one of my poems or stories. I have a friend who wanted to pin one of my stories in her loo for people to read. Thankfully I managed to talk her out of it. The one that pleased me the most was a fellow poet who printed out my poem ‘The Art of Breathing’ and pinned it on the cork board beside his desk because, he said, I had managed to put into words exactly how he felt about writing. It’s lovely when a poem finds its perfect reader like that.
@Jessica – Flatterer.
#6 by Joy Manne on September 13, 2012 - 11:53 am
Jessica, I want to read your poem The Art of Breathing. In my other life I’m a breathing therapist.
#7 by Jim Murdoch on September 13, 2012 - 12:13 pm
@Joy – As far as I know Jessica hasn’t written a poem called ‘The Art of Breathing’ but here’s mine:
The Art of Breathing
To find room for the new
you have to let go of
the old
so to learn how to write
I had to forget how
to breathe
and for a time I thought
I had to write to keep
breathing
which makes such perfect sense
but only if you’re a
poet.
20 November 1997
#8 by Joy Manne on September 13, 2012 - 2:28 pm
I still want to read it. I’m sorry I got muddled up. It’s almost the first time I do comments anywhere. See how you inspired me.
#9 by Fiona Campbell on September 13, 2012 - 12:38 pm
Simply lovely!
#10 by Jim Murdoch on September 13, 2012 - 12:51 pm
@Fiona – I’m glad you thought so. The odd thing about this one is that I nearly tossed it in the bin when I first drafted it. It seemed slight and I wasn’t sure it was worth the effort. Now, of course, I’m pleased I sat on it.
#11 by Angela Wray on September 13, 2012 - 6:32 pm
Loved this – brilliant concept!