You've ruined it for me
Taken my innocence
But that's OK
It was time I lost my virginity
Now I'm learning the mechanics
Of something non mechanical
Dracula for your comments
Some I'd rather not hear

You've spoiled it for me
With your staccato chatter
Though in another sense
Totally necessary
Taken me out of the isolation tank
For that special elevator ride
Now I'm literally
Smelling the coffee by headlight
A regular part of the crew

© 1992

900 hits as of December 2024

09/26/2014

Author's Note: The Jury Room Workshop was a writers’ critique group and think tank, of which I belonged to here in Ottawa for 10 years. The way it worked was writers of various backgrounds, styles and talents would present a piece of work (a poem, the chapter of a novel, short story, an act in a play), with a copy for each of the other members of the group. We would then take turns reading our work to the other writers, anywhere from 5 to 10 people, depending on who had signed up for any particular series; 8 meetings for $25. The other writers would then offer constructive criticism, but in a non judgmental way. Although egos were to be left at the front door, a moderator was appointed for each series (who did not bring work for that round), to referee discussion (which could become quite heated), and to monitor the time allotted for each writer. Jury Room provided me with the invaluable training I needed to become a better writer. I always left a meeting with a slightly different outlook on what I had brought to the table, and the piece improved in one or more ways.

Posted on 09/26/2014
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti