A Strolling Thought
He wondered what he ought to write
down. Did illogical sentences come out as before? Then, he would be criticized
again. Actually, he had been studying properly; but, the difficult thing was
that he did not know what he would like to write.
There is a saying which goes
"Being ignorant is more difficult than having nothing". It is true;
it is better not to own anything, because if one knows nothing it is a real
dilemma. Today age is the knowledge age. One would be left behind if one cannot
keep up with the age. Therefore, he read any sort of books. But, he could not
satisfy with his own knowledge. And, he thought he still needed to be
fulfilled.
Some
of his colleagues advised him that only when he knew everything and started to
write down, he would be old enough. Their advice was laudable. He accepted
them. But, there was one thing he had accepted that it was indispensable one
should know one's art very well like filling up one's stomach.
So, he tried to write gingerly
whatever he wrote, from words, the syntax, the themes, everything he tried to
manage to put them together not to be needy. He tried to choose desirable
words, then, he used them. He studied distinctively what kinds of diction use
in what kinds of society or communities. What was that? A slang, a colloquial,
a dialect, an euphemism, and a derogatory, etc.
Next, the syntax which is consistent
with the themes, for an active situation, he uses short sentences orderly and
successively; so also, for a series of events and exposition he uses longer
sentences. He was accustomed to them and became habitual about it. But, the
difficult thing was sometimes he could not find the theme he would write this
time.
…
So, he had read about it in a book.
It was "The scariest thing for a writer is a blank sheet of paper". It
was true. It might be like someone who is afraid of ghosts, when he watches a
horror film, his face becomes pale, a writer who though has an idea in head,
but does not know what he writes on paper and nothing comes into his head, the
latter is worse than the former.
He stopped wandering. He reviewed
many popular subjects and literary forms from rhetoric texts he had read. He
sat at a writing desk nonchalantly. Before him sprawled blank sheets of paper
and a pen. He looked like an entrepreneur was about to embark on a business. In
business, Kamma is crucial. Every risk causes excitation, right?
People really enjoy excitement. Look
at those who ride roller-coasters or faris wheels in parks. Some engage in
extreme activities like a free-fall from the hills, and bridges or playing
acrobats, etc.
…
Oh, a piece of idea rushed into his
head. It was the beginning of inspiration. Later, the themes to be written will
be lighted. He felt happy. And he satisfied himself a bit. His studies would
not become useless then. One way or other he uses them. He must use his art for his own existence. Then, he could
stand as a human being.
…
Another difficult thing became
"the title". He was at a loss
giving a name to a short poem. He read
it, he measured it with checklists. It contained images, tight words, good and
reflects the age. Read it, and he smiled. In fact, he wrote it from his
feelings. He wanted others to feel like him. He is an expressionist.
…
He looked up at a clock on the wall
to know the time. It said: 4: 30. This time, he went out for a cup of tea. He read the poem again. He could not
think out its title. He knew a man is a victim of habit. This time he did this.
So, he has to do it. It is natural.
…
He picked up a shirt and wore it.
Before he left the room, he stacked the sheets of paper neatly. Beside them lay
an untitled poem and a blue pen. He looked at them thoughtfully. Then, he closed
the door carefully, and left. When
he felt vexed, he knew what he should do.
It was that to drink a cup of tea or
to take a stroll.●
written by San Lin Tun
Glossary
Kamma an action or a result one gets from one does.
(A short story extracted from the short story collection titled ''A Classic Night at Cafe Blues and Other Short Stories.)
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