Poem: why not memorize sparrow-song?

I'm still not entirely convinced that why not memorize sparrow-song? (12/03/2025) is a finished poem, but my sister made an incredible video poem (also embedded below for posterity) for it so this version of the poem is definitely growing on me, all poetic-lichen and moss.

Craft notes 🔐: why not memorize sparrow-song?

🔐This post was originally exclusive to blog patrons but has been unlocked since the poem has been shared publicly (with permission!) in an Instagram reel by my sister Morgane Richer La Flèche in honour of endometriosis awareness month. Like last time, I wanted to share a bit more of my

Gersande's BlogGersande La Flèche

Writing every day or something like that

It's been years since I've been able (willing?) to write every day — at least when my medications or health problems aren't getting in the way. I think the last time I was writing every day was just when I started my Creative Writing degree, many, many years ago. Writing is vulnerability, tucking away bits of your heart (and, helpfully, insecurities) into paper and leaving them around for people to find (and, hopefully, judge). My experience in university, and other things, stomped all over my desire to be vulnerable. It took years to claw back to a spot where I felt safe in front of a blank page, at least a little bit of the time. I am, amongst other things, anxiety's little bitch.

Or maybe it's just that I like writing in late winter. I do love hearing the birdsong of late winter even if I'm completely freaking out about the climate catastrophe and how our winters are so short now but everyone around me thinks our short warm winters are great so I should probably stop complaining and aaaaaaaaaagh I am not calm and collected about ongoing climate catastrophe at all!!!

When it comes to writing while ill, I've been thinking a lot about Susanna Clarke, the author of the incredible Piranesi, and how she managed it despite being saddled with a chronic illness that often has worse quality of life outcomes than the worst kinds of terminal cancer. The following article is worthy of a read even if you are not familiar with Clarke's two enchanting works:

Susanna Clarke’s Fantasy World of Interiors

Fifteen years after an illness rendered her largely housebound, the best-selling writer is releasing a novel that feels like a surreal meditation on life in quarantine.

The New YorkerLaura Miller

Sometimes, between the misfiring medications or the misfiring migraines, the only things I write down in a day are a couple lines. But, given enough days, those couple lines do start to add up.