For me, writing has mostly been a relaxing and enjoyable activity. This isn’t to say I’ve chuckled and danced through every essay I’ve ever written, nor is it to say I’ve thought my writing is perfect, enjoyable to read, or indeed possessing of any merit at all in some cases. But writing has frequently been a very helpful tool. Writing about my daily interactions often helps me to focus and clear my head. The struggle of reflecting on some experience or emotion in the framework of a poem, story, or bit of satire has often brought me great satisfaction. But at Columbia, it’s been difficult to find time to pursue writing or reading of anything outside of classes. I wanted to make Breakfast Serial to fill that gap, by providing an albeit small chunk of time and space for writers to share their own work as well as the work of others, and to do so in a relatively stress-free environment. The academic stress at Columbia can be overwhelming at times, and I would hope this group would not add to that stress, but rather would provide an outlet for literary creativity to be shared and respected. I am not one for imposing deadlines in blood and iron, or for demanding that poems be written mechanically to satisfy a requirement. If all we have gathered from this group is a greater appreciation for John Keats, Emily Dickinson, or Etheridge Knight, I will be quite satisfied.
I have found that in brief moments, it is invigorating to ignore all of one’s problem sets, essays, and curricular reading to share one’s writing and receive input from a friend. I’ve also been continually inspired by the works others have brought to meetings to share, and entered the week in high spirits. So here’s to ignoring our work due tomorrow, and our exams coming up. Here’s to the triumph of short bursts of creativity, gleaming like brief rays of sun as we paddle our flimsy canoes into the colossal heart of the hurricane of our schoolwork. Here’s to Breakfast Serial.