I have very few recollections of writing as a child. That may have been because my first lessons, at the age of 6, were fraught with anxiety as I had to learn the English language the same time.
As I grew, my focus was always on correct spelling and grammar rather than on my style. Only at 16, did I begin to enjoy it, finding a propensity for writing stories. At this time, I endeavoured only to make my handwriting fairly neat, but not overly so.
By the time I’d graduated as a dentist my handwriting had begun to deteriorate. And now it’s atrocious! Thank goodness for technology – is all I can say.
(But at least I learned the language!😊)
throwing up letters
amongst star-studded skies
unfolding dreams
©Vivian Zems
It’s dVerse Haibun Monday and Kim has tasked us with the following : How did you learn to write? How has your handwriting changed over the years? All you have to do is write no more than three tight paragraphs about communication through pen or pencil and paper, followed by a traditional Haiku that includes reference to a season.
January 22, 2018 at 8:48 pm
What a double challenge… a new language and writing… and you made it… my dentist cannot handle the computer either… 🙂
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January 22, 2018 at 10:10 pm
I did my best! Lol …on your dentist😆
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January 22, 2018 at 9:02 pm
Everyone has a different story this evening, Viv, but one thing that seems to be a common experience is the deterioration of handwriting. It’s hard enough learning to write, but having to learn a language at the same time must have been daunting – I’m so sorry it made you anxious.
I love the haiku and the gorgeous image.
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January 22, 2018 at 10:09 pm
Oh Kim! I used to hold back the tears ‘cos I wanted it to be perfect. But my parents were absolutely stars😆😆- with praise all the way! My mum still urges me on💕
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January 22, 2018 at 9:05 pm
I’m very glad you learnt the language, you use it so beautifully. I’m picturing a serious child, thinking carefully about what she writes, and whether she’s getting it right or not.
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January 22, 2018 at 10:02 pm
You picture correctly! Thanks, Sarah😊
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January 22, 2018 at 9:19 pm
My handwriting was rarely neat. I get impatient writing, but I still like holding a pen. I like the haiku about throwing letters to the sky.
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January 22, 2018 at 10:01 pm
Thank you, Frank! I hope the art of holding a pen will not die out.
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January 22, 2018 at 9:35 pm
You certainly learned the language (in a wonderful way)! 🙂
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January 22, 2018 at 10:00 pm
I try my best😆, thank you!
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January 22, 2018 at 9:40 pm
I’m certified dyslexic and hopelessly colour blind. I know where you’re coming from. For what it’s worth (not a lot) I still managed a 1st class degree. Great words, Vivian.
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January 22, 2018 at 9:59 pm
Thanks George! I just replied to another dyslexic saying that I thought the ‘condition ‘ was genius in disguise. Well done, you!😊
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January 22, 2018 at 10:09 pm
Thanks Vivian. I don’t think I’m genius – well I’m not – but kind words like yours a major+. Keep the good words flowing. Best thoughts and wishes, George
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January 22, 2018 at 10:14 pm
Gifted, then…? Thanks and keep making music!
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January 22, 2018 at 9:49 pm
I never would have guessed you had to learn English as a second language! I am dyslexic and had a hard time but I managed to get three degrees. My handwriting was atrocious as a child which I imagine was part of the dyslexia and handwriting was always traumatic. You learned a second language and wrote stories! I think that is beyond cool. Congratulations years later on all of your accomplishments!
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January 22, 2018 at 9:57 pm
Thanks Toni! It’s a part of my history that serves to remind me that all things are possible 😊. Kudos to you on your 3 degrees!😮😮. I personally believe that dyslexia is a former of genius trait💪💪
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January 22, 2018 at 9:58 pm
I think Einstein was dyslexic. I don’t know about the genius part though. I think you did so much with your life and learning.
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January 22, 2018 at 10:12 pm
I beg to differ on the genius bit….look what you achieved!😮. Thanks for your comments 😊
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January 22, 2018 at 10:14 pm
And I am going back to school in Feb to obtain yet another degree – this time an MA. Everything else I have is science related. Not genius, just perserverance. And most of the times my fingers fly so fast on the keyboard, I get my words and spellings tangled. LOL
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January 23, 2018 at 7:26 am
Amazing…yet again! Keep it up! Ps- your brain is faster than your fingers😂
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January 23, 2018 at 1:21 pm
Yeppers. That’s why I keyboard rather than write … My words get all mashed up like a horrendous car wreck…
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January 24, 2018 at 7:44 am
😂 I can imagine!
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January 22, 2018 at 10:35 pm
Your writing is delightful. My father is an author so imagine the intimidation. I stuck to drawing and only started to write last year. I still feel the need to check all the emails and texts I send to him for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
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January 23, 2018 at 7:23 am
I feel you😂. My mum’s a teacher- and I have to do the same!😊
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January 22, 2018 at 11:28 pm
What tales our handwriting memories uncover! Thanks for sharing your story!
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January 23, 2018 at 7:22 am
Thanks, Beverly! 😊
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January 22, 2018 at 11:56 pm
Your words are lovely, your haiku perfect.
Don’t worry about your handwriting, it goes with the job – doctors, dentists, the caring professions!
Anna :o]
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January 23, 2018 at 7:21 am
Thanks, Anna!😆
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January 23, 2018 at 12:05 am
A wonderful account of your own writing story. As a nurse, I’ve struggled with doctors’ handwriting and, as a dentist, you have the right to the same. The ultimate malpractice protection!
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January 23, 2018 at 7:21 am
Precisely 😊. Thank you!
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January 23, 2018 at 1:42 am
Most interesting post. You are in good company, for most doctors are famous for their terrible illegible handwriting. Now the prescriptions are being sent to the pharmacy on the computer. Great haiku! I like the idea of words being thrown up into the sky …. like going to the planetarium!
Dwight
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January 23, 2018 at 7:19 am
Thanks, Dwight! I had no idea I would fall victim to bad handwriting ! I suppose it’s as a result of having to scribble really quickly between patients 😃😊
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January 23, 2018 at 1:57 pm
Probably so!
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January 24, 2018 at 7:44 am
😊
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January 23, 2018 at 8:33 am
HA! Thanks but no thanks to technology for our handwriting nowadays.
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January 24, 2018 at 7:45 am
Precisely!
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January 23, 2018 at 4:16 pm
I bet you are a fantastic dentist. Every great doctor must have atrocious handwriting. I’m pretty sure that’s a rule. 😀
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January 24, 2018 at 7:43 am
I hope so Magaly! It seems to go with the job😊
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January 23, 2018 at 5:15 pm
I heartily agree with Magaly!❤ Thank you for such an evocative poem, Vivian 🙂
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January 24, 2018 at 7:42 am
My pleasure 😊
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January 24, 2018 at 7:42 am
Thank you!😊
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January 23, 2018 at 6:33 pm
I remember the anxiety of learning to write and I already knew the language. ‘throwing up letters’ – what a great line.
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January 24, 2018 at 7:42 am
Thank you!😊
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January 23, 2018 at 8:00 pm
The leap from the intensely personal to the stars is wonderful! What is your mother tongue? I’d never have guessed you weren’t a native English-speaker.
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January 24, 2018 at 7:42 am
My first language is a dialect from Nigeria. ..but over the years, I’ve now become a student of it. English took over! Thank you😊
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January 24, 2018 at 8:56 am
It will never take over completely. It will always be the language of your first memories 🙂
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January 24, 2018 at 9:22 am
Absolutely…only my mum tries to get me to reply in my native tongue…excruciating!
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January 24, 2018 at 9:27 am
I suppose it matters quite a bit if it’s an oral or a written language. One of the problems I had with Irish is that it’s mainly an oral language. The pre-English stories and poetry are written in old Irish, and nothing was written in Irish, the modern version, until reasonably recently (for obvious reasons). So there isn’t a wealth of literature as there is in English.
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January 24, 2018 at 4:28 pm
Wow, that should mean that written works are even more valuable!
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January 24, 2018 at 4:31 pm
The old writing was set down by the monks who were far enough away from Rome to have been more or less forgotten and went native. They recorded the old stories, though some of them have been mangled to give a Christian slant. usually putting the womenfolk in their place. Sigh. What’s new?
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January 24, 2018 at 7:32 pm
Sigh…indeed.
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January 24, 2018 at 8:26 pm
🙂
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January 23, 2018 at 9:02 pm
Thank you for sharing your story. And the words and dreams amongst the stars–glorious!
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January 24, 2018 at 7:38 am
My pleasure 😊
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January 23, 2018 at 10:19 pm
lovely take on the prompt Vivian, I relate on so many levels, my hand writing has deteriorated too and English was a struggle to learn the proper format as a second language we had to master for school. I adore your haiku it represents to me struggling to learn a language yet loving it at the end.
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January 24, 2018 at 7:30 am
Thank you!😊 I’m glad you like it!
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January 24, 2018 at 4:48 am
Goodness, the thought of learning a new language and then to learn to translate it in to handwriting seems like such an impossible task to me. Kudos for your wonderful success.
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January 24, 2018 at 7:28 am
Thanks, Susie😊. It shows what a 6 year old can do!
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January 24, 2018 at 3:06 pm
“throwing up letters
amongst star-studded skies”
I know you’re talking about tossing them up with your hands, but still, you’ve made vomiting seem beautiful and artistic to me. And really, that is the best poetry — that which comes from the pit of your stomach.
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January 24, 2018 at 4:25 pm
*jaw drops*…..Why Didn’t I Use ‘tossing’…? Oh well, it’s done now…. here’s to artistic throwing up.. LOL!
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January 24, 2018 at 4:42 pm
That must be hard! You did it!
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January 24, 2018 at 6:36 pm
Yay! I did😆
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January 24, 2018 at 8:47 pm
I think you write beautifully and like you I am mostly glad to be able to type these days.
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January 24, 2018 at 11:49 pm
Thanks, Alison 🙂 for your kind words…but I must say, I’m still trying to catch up with you :). Glad to type..phew!
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January 24, 2018 at 11:11 pm
You may have bad handwriting, but you have a beautiful voice and talent Vivian!
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January 24, 2018 at 11:45 pm
Thanks, Carrie… you’re too kind 🙂
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