Life and Writing

By Apolinario Villalobos

Life and writing are similar as regards their inception, midsection, and culmination.

There is pain felt when the womb pulsates as a new life therein tries to manifest itself. There is pain, too, in the head of the writer that throbs with effort as he struggles how to start a composition or poem with an appropriate opening sentence.

Relief is felt by the mother when the bundle of new life finally makes it out to enjoy its firs whiff of air. Relief is felt, too, by the writer as the first word comes out of his head to trigger the avalanche of more words that shall comprise a literary expression.

As the child grows to enjoy life, he or she is guided by the parents, institutions and established norms so that he or she becomes a virtuous member of the society. On the other hand, as the writer progresses, set norms and ethics, as well as, his own style guide him to ensure that the outcome of his effort becomes satisfactory and relevant.

In life, it is not easy to “call it quits”, especially, as one enjoys every minute of it. But the onset of death cannot be prevented as it may occur unexpectedly due to an accident. Normally, though, it should come with old age or disease. The writer, meanwhile, has to allow a ‘twist” to conclude what he is doing. Or, gracefully allow the avalanche of words to be exhausted naturally…to spell the end.

To sum it up… as with life, writing may also be difficult, BUT CAN STILL BE ENJOYED.