“Why do you write?”
Some people ask,
As if it is such
A grueling task.
There is only one question
That answers, I believe;
Why do I write?
Why do you breathe?
Author notes
By: trista
Short I know, but it pretty much says it all for me.
Written June 14th, 2006
A contest entry
- CONTEST FOR HUGH WYLES FAVORITE’S ONLY # 18 by huguenauties.
750 points, ended August 14, 2007, 9 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 70 of 70
-
Yup! Me too
I love this one -
Congratulations Trista on winning your BRONZE trophy.
Hine -
And is there anything more important than your final question? This exemplifies the truth in the fact that in brevity there is wit! It delighted me!
If diamonds were the size of basketballs, would they sparkle as much? There you go!
I keep seeing winners. Yours is one!
Terry
-
Dear Trista,
Wonderful poem to describe why you write poetry.
You've said it all in so few words, it's wonderful.
Joan
-
Dear Julie,
Your poem may be short
but I was always taught
that brevity is wit
so don't expand on it.
Although it's your short call,
it nicely says it all.
Applause, best of luck in the voting and
love and hugs, XXX Hugh (R.)
-
Dear Trista, Yes, I've been asked that question before as well as thinking it myself, especially when writer's block hits, but thankfully it comes back to us. Loved reading your poem.
Thank you for entering our group contest and good luck in the voting.
Jen.
-
It's short but definitely gets your point across. I like it (even though I don't know the answer). j/k
Good Luck in the contest!
Maureen
-
Dear Trista, Good questions on why you write.
It does get very addictive I admit, I don't write near as much as I should. Well done! You have written powerful words in a short poem. Brilliant! You've said it all.
Hine.
-
OH NO! I just struggled with the question of why I write and now I will be trying to figure out why I breath...I'm going to be up all night!
I don't think I'm that serious about writing, I have as much fun doing it as anyone (I think) but it's not an end all. Now Moxie....I could not breathe without it's existence.
No, writing to me isn't grueling, not really. I write fast. My problem is, I have a million ideas (all bad) but so little time.
I wrote several poems for this contest before I settled upon the story I entered and one was on a topic similar to this. How come you were able to say in eight lines what I tried to say in 100? I so need to learn from you!
-
Well done
This is so very short, very well written but definatly gets to the point...Love it...Good luck in this contest...
-
(I've already commented on this poem once, so I won't receive any points for this comment...nor should I be given any grief for pasting up a portion of it. This poem was specifically written for my contest.)
I am just re~reading entries at this point, trista...I wanted you to know I'd been by again...why do we write??? Because we have no choice...& even if I did, I'd choose to be a writer...Thank you again for entering my contest...Be well, Poet... Wanda
-
Thank you, I missed the "s" and usually I am so careful about things like that! I'm glad you caught it and pointed it out to me.
-
COOL
-
This is a very short and powerful write. So strong and well done. I was really struck by it. I love it.
-
There is a reason why we all write....it's called catharsis
And I know that's at least the reason I write. I do it for myself. It lets me put down all my emotions on paper and feel much better.
This is a nice write! hahah why do people ask stupid questions like "why do you write?" I'd answer "Why don't you mind your own business?" hahahaha people really ought to pay attention to their own lives more often. -
Very-Nice-Write"
Well said,Trista. That is a stupid question to ask,in the 1st place. Where would the world be,if we didn't have 'writers',and things to read,Duh? Liked the poem,"Loved your comment.LOL...Love,your friend,Shirley ann shaw-raytown,mo.64133....Short,Sweet,and To-The-Point! "God Bless you'..... -
Isaac Asimov quotes:
“I write for the same reason I breathe - because if I didn't, I would die.”
-
that is so true. if some of us didn't write, where would we be. poetry is a release of energy and emotions that are bottled up inside. without the urge to write, some of us wouldn't make it in life. if I (Vanessa) didn't write or gave up, I think I would go insane because even though some say it is a free country, it is not. you can not freely speak what's on your mind without things being said. so, therefore, poetry is relaxing and takes things off your mind without the verbal sense or confrontation. kind of like what a diary does, I suppose. poetry also gives your emotions and thoughts an elegant and beautiful feel to them. this is a great write and speaks such truth even though it is infact short and simple. the shorter the better, I suppose. lol. nice rhyme, flow, meaning, and length here. great job well done. good luck in that contest.
-
very interesting...I believe however that some one else has used the phrase "I write for the same reason I breathe" maybe it was Issac Asimov, I'm not sure, but this was an interesting poem anyway
-
I like it
finally. a decent question to a question. Loved this keep it UP!
until later,
songstress
-
great job
great job people dont understand why we write we all have our reasons why we write some for love some for life and some just for the heck of it keep up the good job -
this is fantastic. I think that because of the length of the poem it makes it more intriging!
-
I love it, cuz no matter how hard I try to explain to people why I write poems and stories, it all comes down to that final question "why do you breathe". You just put every writer's thoughts into one simple poem. Thank you.
-
The layer of lines. The extention of nerve fibers to pen to paper. It is a beautiful expression of mind and being. We all can breathe, but few of us can write. It is your gift. Write on!
-
o.k.
-
Yes yes, now there's a very simple yet elegant way of saying what all of feel but probably haven't written. I lead a Pentium based lifestyle to accomodate my breathing (read: writing) Yes, missy, well put indeed.
-
Simple and few words but meaningfull . So powerfull.
-
There is only one question
That answer, I believe;
Why do I write?
Why do you breathe?
Just a universal expression ..making me speechless as well..
-
Excellent poem
Short but straight to the point, I loved the content and the flow and rhyme of the poem. Excellent poem, keep up the wonderful work!!! -
excellent
Very simple and neat.Yet it ring with the power of simple truth why do i write. It wraped up in a neat little package. Your words are elegant. It reads with timeless wisdom, I agree whole heartly with the answer that is the beat reason to write. I like those who don't it a matter of poor taste. It fits the terms to a well wrote framework. Keep up the great work. -
It says it all for me as well. Wonderful job in such few words. Best of luck to you in the contest. God Bless, Trina.
-
let a picture say a thousand words...
You have encapsulated so much and so many will relate to these 32 words!
Well Done! -
That's a great answer!! It says it all for me, too. Plus I like short poems. I need to remember that answer, though, in case someone asks me. Awesome job, and good luck in the contest!
Iridescent
-
Eyes of the beholder!
OH! So perfect. O.o like kicking some one after they slap you, or am I the only one who dose that? Anyways perfect way to say "get off my case" I loved it! ^.^ -
great
funny. it tells ppl who are ignorant to piss off. i like it very much. -
There is only one question
That answer, I believe;
Those lines confused me a bit.
But wow, this is one of the best pieces I've read in a while. Just goes to show that a poem need not be lengthy to have impact. A valid answer to a question from those who simply don't understand. -
Good answer! Great
poem. Short and
direct. Very
powerful poem.
Thank you for sharing.
I wish you the best
of luck in the contest.
Jeannie D Hunter
-
Good question...I often find myself wondering why it is I write...I guess theres only one word for that Passion....Great write, simple and yet so powerful...keep up the good work!
-
how very true!!!!!!!!!!!!! short and to the point!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
So simple and yet so poignant
-
wow, so powerful in such a very few amount of words. i can absolutly relate, as i think anyone with a passion for writing can.
love the last line
Why do I write?
Why do you breathe?
-
"WHY?" is a question that can be answered in an infinite amount of words, it also leads to the explaining of anything and everything...its a very unpredictable word with so much character and understanding behind it
-
friggen amazing! i love it! so true loved it
! -
cute, short, and descriptive, all wonderful qualities.
a good answer to the question of why one writes- i feel the same way, it is simply what i do, no decision involved.
~Clare -
This is a brilliant piece. Short, sweet and witty. Wonderfully reflective, with an excellently developped, quick rhythm and well implemented rhyme to support a fresh, interesting theme, looked at from a very intelligent and humourous point of view. I would applaud, but am afraid I am all out for today. Great job
-
Hah! excellent. When I was telling my friend I was reading. writing poetry again all they could say was "why?" As If I had said "I've taken up fecalphillia!". Anyway, this poem is great, thank you for sharing. I hope you place well in the contest.
-
A short and simple piece with a great and high impact to a very simple question. Writing for so many of us is like breathing. Without it we just might wither away and due inside. A wonderfully profound piece!
-
Very true. i love it. It is to the point and prescise. The rhyme just adds more meaning and flow to it, very well done !!! loooing forwaord to reading your future writtings! Much luck!
-
Great job
To the point and well said. I loved this poem it is funny and honest and just how I feel when asked the same thing.
Good luck to you in all things. -
This is nicely done, and as you said, it is short but it says everything it needs to say. It's effective and so true. It's nice to be able to relate to something so strongly.
-
I agree. It's part of the reason that I'm such an avid writer myself. The desire to write becomes so strong at times it's hard to control even if I wanted to. It's almost like a drug and you just have to do it every so often otherwise you'll go crazy. I likd this and I want to read more.
~Willie~ -
amazing
Yes, I love it! It's a great question to those people who don't understand the strech of imagination that we seem to forget about. I don't know what more to say. Thank you so much for sharing.
Much love, as always,
Bubbles -
tHAT WAS SO COOL... i ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!! kEEP UP THE AMAZING WORK, SO MUCH FEELING INTO ONE LITTLE PEICE.gREAT JOB!!!
Love the one and only never phony,
xX Young Black Woman Xx -
So simple and just to the point. As simple as saying Why not when asked why. I enjoyed this write. Best of luck in the contest. Wonderful. Love Sam
-
Hi, Trista!
I like this fresh,little and concise poem. You say a lot with quite a few words and you manage to say it passionately, too.
What about checking: "There is only one question that answer(S) I .." It should be spelled with -s, I think.
Edited on Jun 15, 8:49 because ''. -
This poem demonstrates that short and sweet can be short and sweet with punch. An enjoyable poem and one most of us can identify with.
Good luck in the Contest. -
I know I feel exactly the same way. We haven't chatted for a while. Nice poem, I have also been pondering about writing about writing(lol) HUGS Ami
-
Sorry forgot to clap;
-
Very, very good, I thought it was going to go on for ages, because there is a lot to that first question, but you summed it up just nice, and got the point across strongly. I really like it because its very real, and something that I can relate to. People often ask me why I do things, like read, write, crosswords or learn a new language and they never understand, that its because its good to broaden your knowledge. I'm sure anyone who asks these questions are just plain ignorant, and are content with their closed minded and limited knowledge.
bloody great stuff, like it a lot. -
Hahaha. That was cute, to the (exact!) point and very funny. I loved it. I hope you win the contest!
-
great.
Loved it. Awesome, just awesome. I'd say most people here can relate to and appreciate that. -
I love this. It seems almost paradoxical, returning to the same type of question. Explaining how you write. Very good.
-
Indeed, I think we've all been in contests where our poems weren't even read...
Not a problem with me, at all...I have a problem not readin' 'em...
-
No matter if it is a standard reply or not. I appreciate the acknowledgement of the poem. It is infinitely frustrating to enter a contest and wonder if it's even been read.
Good luck, hope you get lots of entries.
-
You're quite welcome; actually, it's a standard comment I wrote for all of the entries, but I am sincere in my thoughts...I'll elaborate further at a latter time upon the individual poems....I'm at work & having computer issues, but wanted everyone to know I'd read their poems...Thank you again for entering...Be well, Poet... Wanda
-
Thank you for the wonderful comment and for sharing that bit of info on the Haida Indians. It's something I was not aware of, but it makes such perfect sense! Thanks also for the contest. I look forward to reading the other entries.
-
I'd like to thank you for entering such a great poem into my contest, trista. As you know, from the contest statement I made, I am slightly obsessed with poetry...the writing of it, the reading of it, the inspiration for it...I'm pleased to see you "suffer" from the same "malady" as I do... I appreciate your efforts, both for this contest & in general...Please, keep writing...This World needs all the Poets it can hold...Well done, Poet...Good luck in the contest...Be well, Poet... Wanda
(from my author's page)
"Among the Haida Indians of the Pacific Northwest, the verb
for 'making poetry' is the same as the verb 'to breathe'."
~ Tom Robbins, from the book: Another Roadside Attraction
-
Indeed...a true writer needs the written word like others need air. Short and sweet and perfect. Off to comment your other stuff now
-
Funny funny
haha that is a really great way to put it because sometimes writing just makes it all better...sometimes it feels as if you can only breathe if you write, to get hings off your chest...great way to put it!!! -
Good
Very well said
Why do I write?
Why do you breathe?
Adding your comment:
1 - 70 of 70
