I stare at a blank screen. Words will not come. Thought will not flow. What I had once assumed to be a simple exercise in poetry has become an albatross to creativity.
I need to explain a little more. I'm a member of the Knoxville Writer's Guild, and active in the poetry circle. Every month we meet, talk about a piece we wrote, and gain insights of other poets into our work. Then a topic or form is chosen for next month's work.
It started as a joke, a member offered a very specific set of requirements for this month. 30 words, in 3 verses. First verse 2 lines, then 3, then 4. No rhyming. Topic will be love, but you cannot use the word. We laughed, then agreed why not make that the next months work.
Prior to this day I had a mindset of how it would play out. A bitter little thing of love lost, or of a love that never truly was. I had a few lines in mind, it would be quick work to complete...
Then Valentine's Day came. At first I did not see any harm. A phone call comes, meeting at a local club. Stayed until closing, and enjoyed my favorite drink a few times over. Feeling relaxed and like any intoxicated fool, open to saying things one wouldn't dare think sober. Hop on to internet chatting, a combination more lethal than driving, and see someone is up as late as I am, so the conversation begins...
At some point, I don't really know when, I mentioned that the day will be a painful one for the single guy. An offer of companionship later and I find myself enjoying new found friendship at an Ihop until dawn.
So I'm of little sleep, trying to complete my assignment. I no longer find the will to be jaded on this day however, and my former topic and lines are tossed out.
Perhaps after a nap my muse will descend.
Posted By Mike On Monday, February 14, 2005
Filed under life writing |
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