One of the most beautiful things about a writing group is that you often know the people in your circles better than those who work ten feet from you every day. And when your groups intersect so that you slice together, take on The Stafford Challenge together, and write poems at Ethicalela together too, you look forward to your small group Zoom times where you write and share face-to-face from the east coast to the west coast and two states in between.
That’s what happened last night. I didn’t join a small group for The Stafford Challenge last year, but when Barb Edler suggested that we form our own small group with more flexible scheduling, she took the lead in setting up our Zoom meetings so that Denise Krebs, Glenda Funk and I could all meet to write, share, and keep in touch. So in our Zoom last night, Glenda introduced a prompt that invited us to write definition poems. A special thanks to Glenda for the inspiration – and to Denise, Barb, and Glenda for suggesting a better ending for the second definition! Cheers to writing friends who inspire us and keep us writing in community. Since I’m slicing through increments of time throughout the day, I chose to write about my cubicle today.
cubicle (n.) – 1. an open place where I always feel I’m being watched. There’s no privacy here with two on-screen llamas, a whispering plant, the eyes of the family photos, everyone who walks by, the general webinar population, the parking lot parents who can see in the windows, and probably, probably cameras everywhere. 2. a limiting space to sit and work the day away but never, never my home away from home.
Common Threads 
What a fantastic definition of “cubicle”! I love seeing the actual space in the photo (“never, never my home away from home,” indeed). Even more, I love the image of camaraderie and mutual support, all around writing. That is what community IS. A collection of people who strengthen and care for one another, a place of belonging where all are valued. How often do I rejoice that we are part of the same writing (and life) community, my friend? Countless times! Every single day. So grateful for you and words, Kim.
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As much as it’s possible, your cubicle looks pretty homey, but, no…. never, ever a home away from home!
Fun to picture you all together, brought together through being writers!
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Kim,
Who would have thought in 2019 when we started writing poetry together we’d be meeting via Zoom to write. I love our time together. I tried to join a Stafford group last year, but the woman responsible for coordinating it did not follow through and joined another group. I’m glad you included a photo of your cubicle. Love the homey touches of photos and lol ants, but especially the lamp. Still, I’d want to get away to a more open space, even though my classroom didn’t have windows. You all did so much better w/ definitions than I did. Maybe I’ll work on that prompt for some time in the coming year.
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This month the challenge from my writing group, Inklings, is to write a hermit crab poem. That is exactly what you did with cubicle. It’s a poem in another form, a definition. I love the photo so I can easily see the space you are in, the space that looks private, but is anything but. I haven’t written my hermit crab poem yet and the deadline for the post is today…
Thanks for the inspiration.
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Kim, I also enjoyed last evening’s conversation and seeing your poem in print is a joy. You do have the perfect end. I keep thinking about all the eyes that can be watching us at any time. Love the cubicle photograph! Your creativity in decorating the space shines!
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Kim, it is great to read the summary of our meeting last night and see your sweet cubicle poem. I do like this version. It makes it clear what you mean. The first definition cracks me up with all the busyness and eyeballs!
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