Every Tuesday, in a Facebook poetry group (of which I am a member), there is a “title” challenge. We call it Title Tuesday. Original, huh? The moderator posts several “off-the-top-of-his-head” titles. Group members are encouraged to write poems inspired by one or more of the titles and are also encouraged to submit titles of their own for others to use.
I use to write prolifically. Every day. Once I wrote over 500 poems in one year, short and long, serious and humorous, terrific and terrible. Some were written to daily prompts, some to poetry challenges or exercises, others came from inside my soul. But not lately. I have been suffering a severe poetry block for months. I probably have not written more than ten new poems in the last twelve months and most of those were haiku. Today I wrote poems to three titles. Three! I can’t tell you how good that makes me feel.
So what’s my point? Sometimes you just have to slog through the mire to get to the other side. Suit up, show up, do the drill. Today I did the drill and I’m glad I did. I’m not saying you’ll succeed in creating something that is great on days when the flow just ain’t there. But the time spent slogging will be worthwhile. You’ll discover something about yourself or your technique will improve or you will break through the ice. And who cares if your inspiration comes from a prompt, a challenge, an external source? It is still inspiration and inspiration spawns creativity and creativity is what it is all about.
Here is one of the poems I wrote today, unedited. The title is unchanged from that given in the Title Tuesday challenge.
The Garden of Edam
She met him there
Under the fig trees
Timid as a mouse
Her voice squeaked as she whispered
We shouldn’t be here
It isn’t right
Someone might see
He flicked his tongue and winked
He handed her a treat
Waxy red on the outside
The inside white and sweet
His golden eyes blinked while he watched
She nibbled at the flesh
And scrambled back inside
To give some to Adam
He coiled and hissed in frustration
I merely wanted to know you
Mon Cher Souris
Nothing cheesy, I assure you
Eve licked her naked paws with glee
January 15, 2013 at 8:45 pm
can i join your facebook group? love the garden of edam and yes sirree it is true we have to sometimesto slog through the mire to get to the other side. Suit up, show up, do the drill.
January 15, 2013 at 8:57 pm
Joan, I’ll ask the moderator(s) of the group. It is a closed group (not visible to non-members) and consists of several poets who have been writing together for years. But we do let new blood in now and then. 🙂 Thanks for asking and thanks for your comments! I’ll get back to you soon.
January 15, 2013 at 8:57 pm
What fun, and what good advice–suiting up is often what breaks the inertia. Good for you!
May 12, 2013 at 6:35 am
Good Post…
Sanoj Jose (Author, My Day Out With An Angel)