EXCUSES
Pointless yellow stubs
lie scattered
on my table.
I sweep them into the waste,
the dull sound of woody scraps
reprimand me.
I beg them not to try
to scale the sides
and yet they tap a message to me.
Write!
I will as soon as I find
some really first-rate pencils,
line them up like good soldiers,
red, yellow, blue.
Attention!
Pick and choose each one in turn,
chisel a point
and hope the graphite
carries a vein of life's blood within,
to inscribe some dazzling words.
I will carve an edge sharp enough
to cut through any excuses,
from rising dawn
through eager night.
I promise to start a poem
with a momentous word.
Write and write and write.
And drown out the voice
that asks,
what's the point?
@copyright/ all rights reserved/ 2010
Don't forget to check on all those who have participated in Willow's magpietales prompt!
http://www.minblu.blogspot.com/
http://www.twitter.com/lynxny
Super poem, Lyn! I love the line:
ReplyDelete"hope the graphite
carries a vein of life's blood within".
Methinks you don't need sharpened pencils to inspire!
I see you've swapped templates again. Hope this one behaves nicely!
As for book trading, if you send me an email (from my profile page) with your postal address, I can send you mine.
Drown that voice! You have so many songs in you. And writing them touches so many people.
ReplyDeleteHi Derrick-
ReplyDeleteI did try the new template and it's not behaving! Can't switch back.."comments" not working well...we'll see..
Will definitely follow through with the book..Thanks!!
Hi Tom-
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice thing to say! Thank you so much..
Yes, I know that voice. I especially like "...hope the graphite carries a vein of life's blood...". Nice piece, Lyn!
ReplyDeleteHi Willow-
ReplyDeleteThanks to the one who makes all this creativity spring to life..YOU..what a good idea you had!!
so true, that inner critic can ruin everything! glad you didn't let it stop you.
ReplyDeleteHi Everyday Goddess-
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement..I seem to need the bloggy world at my back!
Lyn, I love this poem! So very true, for me at least. "What's the point?" is a common thought in my mind. Great magpie!
ReplyDeleteHi Angie-
ReplyDeleteThank you..we have to stop listening to that negative voice, and get the point!!
'What's the point' is a super final line! Nice piece.
ReplyDeleteHi Tumblewords-
ReplyDeleteThank you..after those final words..I have to go somewhere!
Oh I have been there, more times than I care to think about. Cast out that voice. This is beautiful, and *that's* the point.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer-
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your comment..good point!!
dont listen to that voice...its evil. smiles. though in the moment when all thoughts are constipated...my pencil becomes an easy target. nice magpie!
ReplyDeleteHi Brian-
ReplyDeleteI think that voice is part of my excuse..anything to avoid getting started!! Thanks for your comment..
Marvelous. The rhythm alone is worthy of soldiers marching on.
ReplyDeleteHi Annie-
ReplyDeleteSo nice to hear from you..this was a good challenge..liked yours..
this writing had a heartbeat,,a pulsing rapid strength about it
ReplyDeletei would love to read more of your work...you're no weenie with a stub of a pencil
Hi Suz-
ReplyDeleteI'm quite flattered..thanks so much!!
If you care for more, you may scroll back..just loads of stuff..
Great magpie-don't listen to those stubby fellows-expecially the red ones!
ReplyDeleteHi kathew-
ReplyDeleteThanks for your very kind words..yes, get rid of the stubs!
I will carve an edge sharp enough
ReplyDeleteto cut through any excuses,
That is a great line..Nice Magpie!
Hi showme-
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and for your kind words..To overcome excuses, that's it!
Lyn,
ReplyDeleteScrumptious!
Fitting description of the writers lament; and then finally the courage to put it on paper and the words flow.
Nice magpie.
rel
Hi rel-
ReplyDeleteVery nice! I do appreciate your kind words!!
what's the point, indeed! lyn, this was fabulous...so well written, almost a prayer for something to flow out of those darn things!!
ReplyDeleteHi sheri-
ReplyDeleteYou've got it! I certainly would like it if the pencil/pen/computer, did the work!!Praying, indeed..
Thank you...
Such a clever Magpie ... love the way you use words to make great points!
ReplyDeleteHi Helen-
ReplyDeleteSo nice to hear from you..several magpies seem to have headed in the same direction!
Love the poem. Thanks for the comment...I guess we belong to the same club. I won't get results for about 7 days....
ReplyDeleteHi Little Messy...
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words..and waiting sucks!! Much good luck..
Superb poetry. So glad you visited my Magpie and commented. You are a wonderful writer.
ReplyDeleteAt 65, I've done it! My poetry book - Life's Journey by Carmen Henesy - is out on Amazon!
( Poems about the things that have been important to me in my journey through life, some humorous, some sad, some that may have meaning to you as well )
http://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Journey-1-Carmen-Henesy/dp/1451547366/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274652997&sr=1-1
Hi RNSANE-
ReplyDeleteThanks so much..and congrats for your book..we've got to keep going!!
I love your play on the words pointless/point! And the line - "hope the graphite..." is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHi Words..
ReplyDeleteI agree, some words are made to play with..thank you so much!
Aaaah. Your final line struck home with me. I think that is the nature of being a writer - grappling with whether or not the effort is worth it. In your case I would definitely say so. Very well written!
ReplyDeleteHi Selma-
ReplyDeleteNo matter what the complaints and excuses we have..we do keep going!!
Thank you..you are more than kind.
magical ending...
ReplyDeletedifferent people have different take,
yours is a good one!
Hi Jingle-
ReplyDeleteIt is great how differently we see things..and come up with a truth! Thank you..