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
40 comments:
Super poem, Lyn! I love the line:
"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.
Hi Derrick-
I 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-
What 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!
Hi Willow-
Thanks 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.
Hi Everyday Goddess-
Thanks 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!
Hi Angie-
Thank 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.
Hi Tumblewords-
Thank 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.
Hi Jennifer-
I 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!
Hi Brian-
I 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.
Hi Annie-
So nice to hear from you..this was a good challenge..liked yours..
this writing had a heartbeat,,a pulsing rapid strength about it
i would love to read more of your work...you're no weenie with a stub of a pencil
Hi Suz-
I'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!
Hi kathew-
Thanks for your very kind words..yes, get rid of the stubs!
I will carve an edge sharp enough
to cut through any excuses,
That is a great line..Nice Magpie!
Hi showme-
Thanks for visiting and for your kind words..To overcome excuses, that's it!
Lyn,
Scrumptious!
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-
Very 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!!
Hi sheri-
You'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!
Hi Helen-
So 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....
Hi Little Messy...
Thanks 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.
At 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-
Thanks 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!
Hi Words..
I 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!
Hi Selma-
No matter what the complaints and excuses we have..we do keep going!!
Thank you..you are more than kind.
magical ending...
different people have different take,
yours is a good one!
Hi Jingle-
It is great how differently we see things..and come up with a truth! Thank you..
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