“All You Have to do,” said Hemingway, “is Write One True Sentence.”

On location at Piggott, Arkansas–
where Hemingway worked at his studio
to create stories that are famous now–
I, too, attempt to write.  Will I succeed?

In spring and fall, I meet with writer friends–
each working to attain a writing goal.
Some strive to pen the best in poetry
while others plot the greatest mysteries.

If Ernest’s friends critiqued his early work
those days in Paris when they socialized,
why not believe that we, as friends, can help
each other to become good writers, too?

The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Writers’ Retreat–
a time when dedicated mentors lead
the writers on to reach their highest goals–
my aim is “one true sentence” in a book.

c Copyright, 2012, Freeda Baker Nichols