photo by Laineys Repertoire
Dear Tree,
You may have heard of me — Matthew’s mentioned my name once or twice when he was trying to kill me. I’ve certainly heard much about you and your flirtations with disaster.
See, I don’t have a muse. Never had one, never wanted one. It is violent enough to feel the prose plow through my flesh as it fights its way out my fingertips; to give birth to the body of a muse as well seemed only to complicate the equation.
But then Matthew wouldn’t stop talking about you, and I started wondering what it would be like to have a muse. You know, even just for a day. Since it’s the so-called season for giving, I figured Matthew would be in the right spirit, so I promptly asked if I could borrow you for a day or two. Well, Matthew certainly wasn’t exuding any holiday cheer when he outright refused, so I’m taking matters into my own hands.
I’m devising a different approach. It makes more sense to propose this directly to you, Tree…after all, you have a mind of your own. Think of this as my letter of temptation, as I list six things that Matthew has never known about me…things that may lure you to the other side.
Item #1: You should know that my creative talents run far deeper than most people realize. For example, I starred appeared for three seconds in a movie with Jennifer Aniston, singing and dancing to Des’ree’s “You Gotta Be.” Now, they may have spelled my name as “Zom Westhof” in the credits, but I’m quite sure Matthew Dryden’s name has never been rolled through the credits of The Object of My Affection, misspelled or not.
Item #2: If my acting, singing, and dancing past isn’t enough to lure you, here’s another way I may serve to entertain you. Should you find yourself sleeping in my house one night, please don’t be alarmed if, in the dead of the night, you suddenly hear laughter tinkling down the stairs. I’ve been known to laugh in my sleep — giggles, chuckles, and even howls of laughter. I’ve even woken myself up, crying with laughter. Now, doesn’t that sound delightful?
Items #3 & 4: Do you live for threats, thrills, and peril? The rush of adrenaline slicing through your veins? Well, I’m a thrill-seeker myself. I may not have as many literal skeletons in my closet as Mr. Matthew Dryden, but I’ve had my share of narrow escapes from the law. As quietly rebellious adolescents who had newly discovered the wonders of Smirnoff Ice, my friends and I had staked out a most ingenious spot for indulging. The flaws of our choice drinking spot were glaringly obvious when our escape from the law entailed clambering down a chain-link fence and running wildly through the streets as an obese cop failed to chase us down.
My escape tactics became more sophisticated on a road trip in Morocco, during which it seemed like a wise idea to learn how to drive a manual transmission. The drive was relatively smooth and pleasant until we reached the entrance to Marrakech, and subsequently stalled four times amid the swarm of trucks, donkeys, carts, and bicycles. A policeman pulled me over, and I promptly discovered that I had left my license in Spain. Refusing to believe that I had any ability to drive whatsoever, let alone that I had a license, the policeman announced he would have to take me to the station. Eager to avoid this fate, I stuttered forth a few negotiations and after some dirhams changed hands, my friends and I were released back into the wild.
Item #5: When you tire of the presence of humans, you can slip out the front door and play with my pups, Daniel and Samson. They’re half street-dog, which means that although they’re often out scuffling in turf wars with the other dogs on the block, they’re really sweet little things that can’t even successfully hurt a frog.
Item #6: My list of things I want to be when I grow up is just as long as it was when I was seven years old. It may not include doctor, lawyer, gymnast and president anymore, but it exhilarates me more than ever. If you will escape to be my muse for the day, we could collide our minds and burst into myriad shards of glass, glaring with endless possibility.
I hope you will consider my request, Tree. If I have indeed tempted you, do come my way…
Kindest wishes,
Zoë
P.S. Matthew Dryden tagged me for this post, and though I don’t normally write memes, his creative approach was an irresistible challenge. I’d like to pass on the six-things-you-don’t-know-about-me meme to Tobey, Maria, Johnny, Jeb, Urban Panther, and Amy.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
What a creative way to tackle this meme! I enjoyed reading about the antics of your hooligan days
Melissa Donovan´s last blog post..Creative Writing Tips from Around the Blogosphere
Hi, Zoe~
Another great post. A muse is something you guard with your very life, and I am sure our Mr. Dryden is a bit possessive of his muse, Tree. I have read a bit of his stuff now and then, and from his writing see that a muse is indeed in order. My muse, Ariel, is a very real person. We spend much time together, often under the influence of what is at hand at the present time. She has never forsaken me after all these years. Did I mention she is a vampire? Odd, I was writing about this today, and also studying memes to get a better handle on the idea. I was thinking about Hemingway’s 6 word story, which affected me deeply. Oh, for that kind of talent!
The longer I follow you the more I see of a person in control of many things, including themselves. I especially enjoyed the tale of being in Marrakesh. I have not had the good fortune of ever having visited there, but it is on my list.
Zoe, I can honestly say I have seen you grow since being introduced to you by Chuck. I see that as a good thing. I hope your interest in this blog does not flag, and you keep developing you own clear and precise voice.
Namaste,
Alden~
Alden Smith´s last blog post..Putting Things Into Perspective
enjoyable Zoe, very creative.
Now that was creative and fun! I hope you and Tree get a day together soon. We’ll tie Matthew up in the cellar for the occasion.
Very cool, Zoe. I loved it.
B J Keltz´s last blog post..Resolutions
Wow – I enjoyed Alden’s comment as much as I enjoyed your blog post. It takes energy to read comments and I admit, I’m a real slacker about it sometimes, but when I make (or have the time) there’s almost always a payoff.
I have never thought of naming my muse. Tree sounds like a good name!
Good job on the meme, Zoe. Most memes completely annoy me. I like to read them sometimes, but I rarely participate. This made me consider the possibilities they might provide.
jenx67´s last blog post..Go Somewhere New
Hey Zoe,
Haha! Brilliant entry! What I think most people fail to realize is that Tree is an actual person. I have to find a way to correct that. I find it interesting to hear that a “muse is in order” when it comes to my writing. Hmm.
You still can’t have her!
A shoutout to Matthew – a muse is always in order, good sir. Without them, we are merely wordsmiths. Every writer worth his own particular grain of salt knows that when the muse deserts you, your writing goes south. As an experienced writer, I am sure you understand this. When Ariel is not by my side, I don’t write – I am just a hack. Call it what you will. But with over 50 years of writing under my belt, I know how important the muse is – and how real they must be to you. Reading your comments and interactions reminds me of the movie “Good Will Hunting,” in which the protagonist explains to the student that you don’t know jack until you have been there. Wise words…
A~
A~
Alden Smith´s last blog post..Putting Things Into Perspective
@Alden:: I know what you’re saying – but Tree is always by my side, you know what I mean? What I’m trying to say is that Tree is a real, living person named Lindsay.
I know what you mean about not being inspired – my writing in the last couple of weeks has gone South…strange how that happened with the actual disappearance of Tree.
Matthew Dryden´s last blog post..A Passionate Embrace
@ Melissa – I was a hooligan of the mildest sort
@ Alden – My view of the muse differs from yours… I actually never refer to my muse being present or not, yet I am very aware of when my writing is “on” and when it is not. For me, what others call their muse is simply my creative spirit freeing itself from my body. But of course, it’s creativity we’re speaking about, so I could never dictate how people should understand their own inspiration/creativity! Muse, flow, creative spirit…whatever we call it, we embrace it.
@ Trina – Thanks, I had a really good time writing it
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@ B J – I dunno, this letter might be the closest I get to having time with Tree …!
@ Jenx67 – I do agree that Alden’s comments tend to add a whole new facet to my posts… it’s great interaction.
I usually pass on memes too, but Matthew’s creative approach completely inspired me to view new possibilities for memes…like a creative writing prompt!
@ Matthew – Even if I don’t get my day with her, the mere *idea* of her has inspired this post. I think it’s difficult to convey that she’s a real person, but you’ve filled out her presence on your blog enough that it should become clear. Thanks for passing on this idea of a creative meme
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