Dear Ant
Looking forward to 2015 it’s tempting to think it will never reach the heights of 2014.
Big mistake. Huge. And you know it.
Everything you did, or, more accurately, received, was a gift, you know that, surely?
Look at what really happened in 2014, those moments when you went to that silence space beyond words and society, where poems begin to make themselves known, and you will see that you will need to protect them fiercely in 2015, which already looks busy.
A word about this: unless you do protect this place, I mean actively, you will soon find yourself running dry and operating out of unconscious devotion to feedback rather than the joy of creation.
Look again. That moment in the campervan in Cornwall reading Ilhan Berk. That timeless sense of excitement and discovery, beyond words, beyond everything.
You don’t need to be in Cornwall to find it (as if you needed reminding). The opportunity for finding it is right here, now, under your hands. In your breath.
Or that time in the bookshop when you bumped into a John Ashbery poem, didn’t recognize it, and rushed home to find it on Amazon only to find it had been there on your shelf all along?
It’s a decision of the will I am talking about. Plus the confidence to believe that you both have and contain enough resources for the moment in which you find yourself, at any given moment, not just those special ones in the spotlight (whatever that is), or semi-public view (such as it ever is on planet-poetry).
Do not misunderstand me, those more public moments are lovely, joyful, even. I do know that you love them. But don’t mistake them for the real job at hand, which you know very well is to disappear completely inside the call of the call to create. For which you need silence. And trust. And the back of an envelope.
It’s very simple, you see. Attend to that this year and you will be fine. Reading because you want to, not for public display. Not for what it looks like. And writing that way, too. As you said once, as if you were not afraid.
As if you were not afraid.
As ever with all my love and prayers
Anthony x
Anthony Wilson 
Reblogged this on Rebecca Gethin and commented:
A marvellous post from Anthony Wilson on this first day of the new year.
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Happy New Year, dear Ant.
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And also to you! Thank you. A
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As always, straight to the heart of what truly matters – a great idea to write to oneself like this and a wonderful post for New Year’s Day. I think I might just write myself a letter now.
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Thank you so much for saying so. January 1 seems a good time to make such reflections. As ever with thanks
Anthony
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Dear AnthonyThank you for all your posts in 2014 and for this beautiful one to begin 2015. I have shared the link on FB but don’t seem to be able to add a comment on your blog though I have liked it of course (under stroking the air). Many blessings to you and yoursEileen
For information about my poetry collections Stroking The Air andThe Space Between Rain please visit my website http://www.eileencarneyhulme.org.uk
To purchase a copy ofThe Space Between Rain and read an extract from the book please visit http://www.indigodreamsbookshop.com/#/ech/4539534687
Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2015 12:15:59 +0000 To: echulme@hotmail.com
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Thank you so much for saying so. I hope the commenting thing will not stop you commenting again in the future. Hopefully it will sort itself out in due course.
As ever with thanks
Anthony
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Thank you for this Ant. ‘As if you were not afraid’ needs to be my mantra for 2015. In fact, I have had the words ‘Do not be afraid’ written on a little card and placed on my nativity shelf at home over Christmas. Your post has reminded me that I need to pay real attention to this – in all aspects of my life! Time for another coffee chat?? X
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Hi Karen, that would be lovely. Much to catch up on. Thank you again for all of your encouragement.
A x
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Dear Anthony…as always your words go straight to the heart – the heart of the matter and to my heart. Thank you. I send love and blessings and the words Naomi Shihab Nye inscribed in one of my books of her poetry, “Travel well.”
Molly
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Thank YOU Molly and a very happy new year to you!
As ever with very best wishes
Anthony
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great post
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You are kind to say so, thank you, As ever
Anthony
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just brilliant, have a great year Rog (who cant turn off centred text) ________________________________
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Thank you Rog, and to you too!
Ant x
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Love this Anthony.
Great insights: ‘operating out of unconscious devotion to feedback rather than the joy of creation’, ‘the real job at hand … is to disappear completely inside the call of the call to create’, write ‘as if you were not afraid.’ Thank you so much for your wisdom, your words and for caring enough to share them with us. I will carry them with me this year. Warmest, Rionach
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Thank you so much for saying so Rionach. It is my absolute pleasure.
As ever with best wishes
Anthony
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A wonderful post, Anthony. I discovered your blog in 2014 and am so glad I did. I hope 2015 is a creative one for you,
Happy New Year!
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Thank you so much for your kind comment.
Wishing you all the best for 2015, in everything you do.
As ever with best wishes
Anthony
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Thank you for your insightful New Year post. Your self-knowingness will help you keep that vital balance between the public you and the need for a quiet, creative space you.
Julia
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Thank you for this lovely post. i think you have set the tone for a great year of writing and reading. Looking forward to lots more of both in 2015. Cheers
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I’ve always liked the letters that you write to yourself. This one is especially lovely and right on. What you write about public readings and writing will resonate with every writer. They certainly speak to me. I wish you a beautiful, healthy, and creative year.
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Thank Evelyne! You are most encouraging, thank you.
Wishing you all the best for 2015 also.
As ever, Anthony
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