Sometimes, inspiration comes to me from strange sources: a fragment I read—or sometimes write—without knowing that its push and pull is inside me all along.
I am honored and grateful to have read all of your published works. Please remember that there are a ton of us out here who admire you, know who you are, and listen. You are genius in your own right, not just your mother's daughter.
Karen, reading your comment on the post brings me vast delight! I am honored to have you as one of my loyal readers, and one who has read it all--just the sort of reader I dream of before bed! Thank you for seeing me for who I am.
Wow, Linda. What a gift Benjamin gave you by reflecting back your own words in poem form! I came to you and your work through SEARCHING FOR MERCY STREET a few years ago. I can't remember how it all began, except that I think I went down this poetry rabbit hole, and of course your mom was in that hole. Maybe someone had mentioned that a high percentage of poets end up suicidal, and that intrigued me because of my background in counseling. I wanted to understand who and why.
So I found some video about your mom, maybe a documentary? And you and your sister were in it. For some reason, that gripped my heart--seeing you as children in this video. I thought about my own publishing path and my own children and wondered what their perspective might be, whether they might inadvertently always feel compared to me one day.
And I wanted to know what it was like for you. That's when I found your book.
Linda, you are a gifted writer. You deserve that title. I think your mom was wise to warn you that she may always follow you like a ghost. She must've known in some way that her celebrity would follow you throughout your life. That, to me, speaks of a mother's love.
I also understand the feeling of telling people you are a writer and their weird responses. You have a whole different level of adding that your mom was this famous poet. The only thing I can conclude about these strange reactions is that people have either a romantic/idyllic perception of a writer's life, or they dismiss it as a hobby. They either are jealous of a writer, assuming that we all hole up in a cabin the woods to write in solitude (yeah, right--I have five kids), or we are "just playing around, and isn't that nice?"
It's really sad to me that these misconceptions about artists in general prevail in our society. At the same time, when I read your essays--just as when I read your memoir--I feel strengthened in my resolve to keep showing up. It's a sort of cultural defiance to me--to demonstrate that writers exist. That we have talent. That we have something to say. That storytelling is how we shape and remember. It's the bedrock of our society. Without the arts, an entire era would dissolve. The world needs our art. It needs yours and it needs mine. I am so grateful to be doing this with you, Linda.
Ah, your comments and cogitations are so valuable to me, Jeannie. BTW my sister and I disliked being included in those documentaries. Too much like performing!
You are a treasure, Jeannie. Someone called me that in this thread and it meant so much to me. So I hand it along to you. I appreciate all your support. It’s like a little warm hug every time
To those of us who believe in you, Linda, and there are many, you are a treasure. It’s very difficult to explain, and words fail where it comes to a proper appreciation. But just know that we believe in you. ❤️
Yes, you are certainly a writer! And that first poem reminds me of what I was trying to do in "Looking After Pigeon," but of course much more succinctly. I love your honesty and your ability to find poetry within the mundane and the difficult.
Carol, I loved “Looking After Pigeon,” so I find that to be a lovely comparison! I always worry that my honesty is too far over the top so your reassurances are welcome.
I have always been touched by your writings. I am so glad that you've shared as much with your readers as you have, that you've been willing to be vulnerable, that you've been willing to speak your truth. And I'm also so glad for the Benjamin B's in your life who took the time to lift you up. Thank you Linda.
Thank you Stuart. Benjamin gave me a wonderful gift. I never would have dreamed to take those lines from the memoir and break them up into poetry. A miracle of sorts.
Mirror Images broke me apart and then helped me heal. Thank you for that novel, for putting in words feelings that I had about my own mother. I’m much older now and she is gone and long-forgiven but your words have never left me. Thank you. Ann
Ann it really pleases me to hear that Mirror Images was the book that made you examine your feelings about your mother and eventually to heal. In my opinion forgiveness is the key to making peace with relationships that haunt you. Thanks for writing and sharing your story.
I am so thrilled to have had my Benjamin. I didn't use his last name because I couldn't ask him (too long ago), but I would have liked to, just because I am so grateful! ANd I agree about Substack. It IS that kind of place!
I am honored and grateful to have read all of your published works. Please remember that there are a ton of us out here who admire you, know who you are, and listen. You are genius in your own right, not just your mother's daughter.
Karen, reading your comment on the post brings me vast delight! I am honored to have you as one of my loyal readers, and one who has read it all--just the sort of reader I dream of before bed! Thank you for seeing me for who I am.
Wow, Linda. What a gift Benjamin gave you by reflecting back your own words in poem form! I came to you and your work through SEARCHING FOR MERCY STREET a few years ago. I can't remember how it all began, except that I think I went down this poetry rabbit hole, and of course your mom was in that hole. Maybe someone had mentioned that a high percentage of poets end up suicidal, and that intrigued me because of my background in counseling. I wanted to understand who and why.
So I found some video about your mom, maybe a documentary? And you and your sister were in it. For some reason, that gripped my heart--seeing you as children in this video. I thought about my own publishing path and my own children and wondered what their perspective might be, whether they might inadvertently always feel compared to me one day.
And I wanted to know what it was like for you. That's when I found your book.
Linda, you are a gifted writer. You deserve that title. I think your mom was wise to warn you that she may always follow you like a ghost. She must've known in some way that her celebrity would follow you throughout your life. That, to me, speaks of a mother's love.
I also understand the feeling of telling people you are a writer and their weird responses. You have a whole different level of adding that your mom was this famous poet. The only thing I can conclude about these strange reactions is that people have either a romantic/idyllic perception of a writer's life, or they dismiss it as a hobby. They either are jealous of a writer, assuming that we all hole up in a cabin the woods to write in solitude (yeah, right--I have five kids), or we are "just playing around, and isn't that nice?"
It's really sad to me that these misconceptions about artists in general prevail in our society. At the same time, when I read your essays--just as when I read your memoir--I feel strengthened in my resolve to keep showing up. It's a sort of cultural defiance to me--to demonstrate that writers exist. That we have talent. That we have something to say. That storytelling is how we shape and remember. It's the bedrock of our society. Without the arts, an entire era would dissolve. The world needs our art. It needs yours and it needs mine. I am so grateful to be doing this with you, Linda.
Ah, your comments and cogitations are so valuable to me, Jeannie. BTW my sister and I disliked being included in those documentaries. Too much like performing!
I could see that, Linda. That makes so much sense to me. I just want you to know what an honor it is to get to know you.
It’s mutual!!
You are a treasure, Jeannie. Someone called me that in this thread and it meant so much to me. So I hand it along to you. I appreciate all your support. It’s like a little warm hug every time
I truly feel that about you, too, Linda - a treasure. A gift. ❤️
I’m so glad to hear it! To us, you are a treasure. Don’t forget that! ❤️❤️❤️
To those of us who believe in you, Linda, and there are many, you are a treasure. It’s very difficult to explain, and words fail where it comes to a proper appreciation. But just know that we believe in you. ❤️
This words are balm to my sometimes trembling ego. Thank you so much! Comments like yours I read aloud to my husband and we exchange wide grins!
Yes, you are certainly a writer! And that first poem reminds me of what I was trying to do in "Looking After Pigeon," but of course much more succinctly. I love your honesty and your ability to find poetry within the mundane and the difficult.
Carol, I loved “Looking After Pigeon,” so I find that to be a lovely comparison! I always worry that my honesty is too far over the top so your reassurances are welcome.
I have always been touched by your writings. I am so glad that you've shared as much with your readers as you have, that you've been willing to be vulnerable, that you've been willing to speak your truth. And I'm also so glad for the Benjamin B's in your life who took the time to lift you up. Thank you Linda.
Thank you Stuart. Benjamin gave me a wonderful gift. I never would have dreamed to take those lines from the memoir and break them up into poetry. A miracle of sorts.
Mirror Images broke me apart and then helped me heal. Thank you for that novel, for putting in words feelings that I had about my own mother. I’m much older now and she is gone and long-forgiven but your words have never left me. Thank you. Ann
Ann it really pleases me to hear that Mirror Images was the book that made you examine your feelings about your mother and eventually to heal. In my opinion forgiveness is the key to making peace with relationships that haunt you. Thanks for writing and sharing your story.
What wonderful piece of writing! Reading it I was thinking what if it was your mother speaking through Benjamin?
Yes, I love that! I’m a big believer in that kind of communication.
Every writer needs a Benjamin. As a fan of Mercy Street, I'm confident you'll find others on Substack; it's that kind of place.
I am so thrilled to have had my Benjamin. I didn't use his last name because I couldn't ask him (too long ago), but I would have liked to, just because I am so grateful! ANd I agree about Substack. It IS that kind of place!