I know, at this point, I should spin this out for as many inconsequential paragraphs as possible, holding on the the "Two Bad Things" until much later in this post, but I still believe in the "Who, What, Where, When, How" lead paragraph of traditional (now historical?) journalism and writing.
What needeth these threnning words and wasted wind?
All this cannot make me restore my prey.
- from, What Needeth these Threat'ning Words by Sir Thomas Wyatt
Maybe you think that clicks (to your article/post) are the same as anyone reading your work? Or maybe your compensation is based solely on the number of folks you can coerce into clicking the headline? In that case you are not in the least bothered that your words, as such, are wasted. Good for you! I only wish you didn't so much clog my information feeds with your uselessness.
it is the cowards of all professions
who sell their children’s and elders’ futures
for the fairy tale of quick unearned money and power.
- from, Too Late the Truth, by Haki R. Madhubuti
Fortunately, there are still women and men who write words to be read, words encapsulating actual thoughts and making connections between people, ideas, events, and ideals. I gravitate to these good souls and revel in their intentional use of words and sometimes clever wordsmithing.
whatever threatens to ignite your hair, your eyelashes,
if you get too close—
write that.
Suck it in and quickly
shape it with your tongue
before you grow too afraid of it
and it gets away.
- from How To Write a Poem, by Laura Hershey
Lay out your premise, tell me where you intend to go, and then I know the value of spending a few of my life-cycles with your writing. Otherwise, you won't be given the opportunity to waste my time.
[As always, I highly recommend following the links to the above full poems!]
