The Midnight Muse
The Writer
Writing sometimes requires us to work odd hours, and often results in very little sleep. However, we usually can’t control when our muse wishes to manifest itself, so have to be prepared for late nights and early mornings should that eventuate. I regularly find myself up writing after midnight so for that reason I call my inspiration “The Midnight Muse.”
The Midnight Muse
by John Hansen
He sits reclined upon a chair
On which his father sat before,
Old, but carved from silky oak,
And once or twice restored.
With both eyes closed and deep in thought,
Hands resting on the desk.
A candle’s flicker in the dark
Makes shadows quite grotesque.
Beside one hand a coffee cup
To help him ward off sleep,
The other fiddles with a pen
In hope his muse may creep.
Inspiration can’t be forced,
Life sometimes impedes.
But as the midnight hour descends
His writer’s block concedes.
Suddenly, tired eyelids lift,
He straightens in his chair,
Enlightenment invades his face,
Runs fingers through his hair.
Knuckles crack, then start to write
Upon the virgin page,
Words flow at speed as if controlled
By some mysterious sage.
The writer’s work is magical,
From nothing great things grow.
Blank pages transform into books,
Under just a candle’s glow.
So don’t despair, but persevere,
Whatever form you choose.
Trust in a force beyond your powers,
It’s called the Midnight Muse.
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Hi John, I enjoyed The Midnight Muse. How true that we can only create when the muse visits us! I found your poem to have a well-paced rhythm and clever imagery…
Hi Exotic Hippy Queen, thank you for reading and for the encouraging comment. I find my muse’s visits intermittent, to say the least, recently. Daytime attempts at writing have ended in the trash basket, but not so around midnight when real inspiration seems to surface.
Ah! I,too, am familiar with the midnight muse. This should win you another contest, John. It is vivid, flows nicely, and is imbued with a warm cozy feeling. I love it.
Lovely John, and all of us relate to the same muse and purpose. I’m lucky to have silence whenever I require it, day or night, and my muse at the whim of my pen. Every word here resonates and it is vivid and heartfelt as to our being a writer. great work
Like Tony I too require peace and quiet when I’m inspired by my Muse and like you John, most of my work has been written at night, and some early mornings. I enjoyed reading The Midnight Muse and your great photo illustrations. Very nicely expressed.
Thank you, Vincent. It appears that many writers and poets are of the same ilk, needing peace and quiet for our inspiration to come. Often that comes late at night and early morning. Glad you liked the photos too.
Sometimes I won’t be inspired to write anything for days, months, years. And then suddenly, I’ll hear a word or see something and I can write two poems in a day. I noticed that once the inspirations hits my pen is flying across the page.
Yes, Dana. I often experience similar situations. When the inspiration hits you need to take full advantage of it. Thanks for commenting.
I enjoyed how your poem had a classical feel to it as if poets from all ages are in the conversation. Jamie
Great comment, Jamie. That was the feel I hoped for.