It’s been said I grind my teeth while sleeping, for two former partners told me so. I talk as well, but no evidence remains of the words that have ever left my nocturnal lips. Purchasing a mouth guard to stop myself-a-grinding when the Sandman comes-a-calling, I drop it in a bowl of boiling water and count to fifteen. When it’s time, I place the guard over the teeth on my upper jaw and bite while sucking in a mouthful of air. It’s a good fit. I remember biting an ex-lover’s nipple in the throes of sex once causing her to hit me in the face. Harsh, but probably deserved, as has been the case of most things that have happened to me. Taking the guard from my mouth and inspecting it in the palm of my hand, it’s covered in saliva, and the indentations of my teeth are clearly visible. I’m not sure what the chances of me using it are; as people say you can choke to death on them. Not the classiest of ways to go by any stretch. Popping it back in my mouth, I roll a cigarette and think about a book I’ve been reading. It states that there are different kinds of love and the one that resembles my own accurately describes how I fall in love with people to drive my creative vision, while all the time maintaining a distance so as not to be drawn into a steady and fulfilling relationship. It says I crave a muse to inspire me to create, and that I deliberately sabotage relationships to add fuel to the fire while preventing myself from becoming settled. It doesn’t surprise me, but seeing it there in black and white is pretty damning. It dawned on me something might be up when I was at work the other day. There’s a girl who shall remain nameless. She’s younger than me, but then again, they always are. Anyway, I found myself fantasising about her, so much so that she entertained my thoughts all through the night. Through the days that followed, she was constantly on my mind, but not in any real sense. I was creating fantasies with her; stories where the two of us were exploring each other’s bodies in surreal, invented landscapes, but only because I wanted to put them all down onto paper. As a real person, she means nothing to me, and yet in my head, I’m in love with the smallest most delicate features of her face. I need to be around her so as to fuel the fantasies, but I’m not even moved to start a conversation. And the more I think about it, the more it’s been happening ever since the end of my last relationship. Writing has become more intense with every word over the past twelve months, but the real world doesn’t cut it. Real people don’t cut it.
Categories: Lucid
“fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of a man go together.” john ruskin
just imagine how good you would be if your heart was in it too…
That’s a great quote. Thank you for saying so. I guess it’s all part of the journey, of knowing ourselves, and finding the courage to surf the wave.
such a beautiful, fucked up journey. surfs up.
Wouldn’t have it any other way x
muses are very addictive and as you say, usually better in your head and words than in the real world.
It’s a difficult thing to balance. As someone who gets easily obsessed, I’m stuck finding it both addictive and overwhelming. But they do say ‘what’s bad for your heart is good for your art’, so for the time being I’m going to keep pushing it x
I’m a strong believer in you know what’s best for you. And I know the feeling. X
Always interesting from start to finish.
I like the part about distance and relationships, the sort of self sabotaging (or them-sabotaging?) need to escape yet an almost equal need to love and be with someone, a near irreconcillable situation, a virtual paradox.
Thank you! It is a paradox, isn’t it? I was thinking to myself just recently how I’d love to get back into a steady relationship, but the thought of being happy left me in a cold sweat! What would I write about?! And when did the prospect of being happy suddenly become something to worry about?
And bizarrely the bad stuff that happens is all fodder for the creative machine like you said. I have to remind myself that although crazy life events are great from a writing standpoint, happiness is not something to be shunned, and its a bizarre mindset where being happy is worrying, which is ridiculous. Its a funny world.
I never pass up reading you, I know it will be startling and amazing. I would like to share this at Heart, let me know or if you prefer not to do the re-blog thing I understand completely. Cheers and Bravo.
I’m so pleased you feel that way 🙂 And yes, I’d be honoured if you did! I enjoy and appreciate your support immensely. I also read the first thirty or so pages of your book yesterday. Needless to say, your poetry speaks another language- one I’m awe of xo
Thank you for the ok to share! My book at been out there for three years and in that time it has lost format, pictures, and who knows what else, but I am thrilled and happy that you read it. Thank you Nicholas.
Thank you, Holly! The format was a little off, but the words still shine through, and that’s what counts 🙂 Have you plans to release a newer collection at some point? You’ve so much great material at your disposal after all xo
I want to write a book one day. Whether that will come to pass I don’t know. xo
I’m sure it will. It must! You have the words and the heart, so it is what you make it xo
xo!!
Do it!! I dare you 😉 xo
Ahh , that’s really inspiring! xo
Reblogged this on House of Heart and commented:
Anyone who lives to read stunning writing will find it here: https://myredabyss.com/2016/07/30/two-worlds/
Comments are closed here, please see the original.
I really enjoyed reading this and can relate to it, especially ‘I fall in love with people to drive my creative vision’… It’s given me food for thought today, thank you.
Thank you very much! I’m glad you can relate to it, and that it’s given you food for thought also 🙂
I love this❤️
Thank you! 🙂