Birth of a Poem
How, pray tell, does a poet decide
Which words to lay side-by-side
How did Milton measure the cost
When he penned Paradise Lost
Could Dickinson take a single breath
Without thoughts of poetry on death
When describing Ben Adhem’s vision
By what motive was Hunt driven
Did Poe write poetry as a child
Or his odd thoughts drive him wild
How did the Brownings, poet pair
Pen sonnets of love with such flair
Did Frost truly encounter a road
From which his famous poetry flowed
How did Rosetti write love verse
Allowing the reader her faith to traverse
Did David find a sense of calm
With every line of every Psalm
Do other poets lie awake at night
Scribbling verse without the light
I desire sleep before break of day
But words come and won’t go away
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The first stanza of this poem was written in the dark in the notebook I keep on my nightstand. I wasn’t sure where it was going to go, but by light of day this is what I came up with. I could have added many more stanzas with references to many more poets, but decided I needed to stop somewhere. This is for day #25 of NaPoWriMo.
5/26/16: Decided to share this for dVerse Poets Pub Open Link Night because I am shy on time and inspiration to write something new today.
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Eloquently written. Thank you
I tried this…woke up because the poem kept poking me. I wrote and wrote. In the morning, couldn’t read my writing except in bits. This was a delightful read Linda….the different traits of the poets and how you did a unique list poem.
I’m always surprised that my handwriting is better in the dark. Maybe because I’m trying harder. 😉
So glad you shared – and so glad you keep that notebook beside your bed. Some of the most intriguing thoughts come to us when we’re half groggy with sleep in our eyes!
That is supremely clever: a list poem of a very special kind. How wonderful of you to find one outstanding trait of each of those poets and play with it and wonder about the mysterious process of creativity!
Oh I love everything about this…the pondering thoughts about poets, the rhyme and especially the ending. That would be me huddled in the corner with the light of the computer monitor….writing instead of sleeping.
I love this.
Thanks.
You said it with the last line..words come and won’t go away!!! So one just has to write!!
Each poet named brings something special to the table; an example to follow, and yet with words and thoughts that are our very own. No matter time of day, they are owned by us! A thoughtful poem, Linda.
I am thankful when the words come and stay….. So often they go away.
Linda, this is such a joy to read! There are some things that all writers share and you nailed it, my friend! My best words come rushing in the moment I close my eyes, so I schedule a siesta as often as possible to guard my nights. yeah, right…. 🙂
That notebook on my nightstand has saved many a verse that would have either driven me mad or faded into oblivion. 🙂
Ah! Is that the true source of our madness? Explains so much 🙂
I too can relate with your ending line ~ Some words stay with me, some disappear in thin air before I can capture them ~ Hope you feel much better ~
This totally hit home. I always wonder if my favorite poets/authors ever struggled with a self-doubt as crippling as mine… even those writers whose struggles are well-documented. It seems, since I’m reading about them in a context where their talent is a matter of historical fact, that their insecurities couldn’t possibly have been so terrible– just look at the works of genius they had to produce! (This is, of course, silly) I always wonder, did they think so differently from the way I think? Where did they find their inspiration and passion? How much were their creative choices driven by intuition? etc, etc
And it seems like your best ideas always come at night, doesn’t it? Never, of course, when you’re sitting in front of the blank page, totally prepared to write. Oh, life 😉
Inspiration when prepared would be just too easy, wouldn’t it? I would guess that all poets have that self-doubt, which give me hope that long after I’m gone perhaps I’ll be a famous poet. Maybe you will, too! 😉
Yes Linda, I can relate to this, for sure – I’vesince taken to a small voice recorder by the bed, as I could never read my scribbles in the morning! With Best Wishes Scott
I am always surprised the next morning how good my handwriting is in the dark, almost better than in the light!
Normally I write my poetry right before I go to bed… that way they won’t come at me at night… but there are exceptions.
Loved that last line – that’s brilliance. Describes addiction too, 🙂 mosk
Sigh, you have stirred some truly wonderful emotions and thoughts with this poem.. we do indeed wonder at times where the words come from <3
Lots of love,
Sanaa
I suppose it’s better to wonder where they come from and not know, than to not have any words come at all, which seems to be my lot this week.
You described those relatable poet-writer moments that we all love, hate and love to hate, and very creative with the questions for the poets.
Thanks. We poets all want inspiration to write, but it doesn’t always come when we want it to.
Love that last line, especially, Linda. I can soooooooo relate! 😉
I’m always amazed at how readable my scribbles in the dark are the next day, but it does allow me to finally get some sleep. 😉