When I read this work out loud, I feel like I’m naked on a coat hanger … this is a difficult piece for me, yet one that I am most proud of. In 2012 my poetry mentor Claire Gaskin prompted the class to express 10 years of life in three word sentences. Instantly I was reminded of my son’s prosody of speech. I felt like I’d finally found the way to express our story.
The work was first published in Southerly’s Long Paddock and can be found here. Max in Three Words has also been performed as a monologue by the Ruby Theatre Company.
Like other work I have written in collaboration with Max, I believe the piece is more powerful when heard.
Reality ; beautifully expressed. Thank you.
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Amazing poem. The three word rhythm really works. Resonated with me particularly – my own autistic son is now 12. I too had to give up my work as a lawyer my creative outlet of poetry. Thank you for being so honest about how this feels. After a few years I found enough space.and energy to write again and wrote a book of poems about autism called First… Then…. Sharing a link to the title poem, which is about our own early years before and after diagnosis. https://circlequirk.wordpress.com/2011/09/01/first-then/
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Thank you. Look forward to reading your writing!
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Hi Beck,
I heard part of it before in class, but today I read it in full on one breath. It is very powerful, Beck. Congratulations!
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