Why Do You Abandon Me, Oh Muse?
Why Do You Abandon Me, Oh Muse?
Is There Such a Thing as Writer’s Block, and If So Why Do Some Suffer and Other’s Not?
I am constantly reading about one writer or another being afflicted with what is often termed “Writer’s Block.” Normally whenever I have a problem deciding what to write I just have to browse the book titles on my shelf, check the names of CDs in their rack, or look around me for inspiration. I can usually come up with something satisfactory to write, so never took writer’s block seriously. However, this time it seems different. I have quite a few ideas spinning in my brain but every time I try to put them down on paper I am disappointed that nothing suitable is taking shape.
I can usually come up with something satisfactory to write, so never took writer’s block seriously. However, this time it seems different. I have quite a few ideas spinning in my brain but every time I try to put them down on paper I am disappointed that nothing suitable is taking shape. While my peers seem to be churning out item after item (and good quality at that) I am languishing at my desk and lucky if I can publish one poem or article per week. Anyway, if worse come to worst take the lack of inspiration itself as inspiration. That’s what I did here.
Why Do You Abandon Me, Oh Muse?
Why do you abandon me, oh Muse?
The desire to write burns in me,
But my page is stark and barren
Like a desert without trees.
Expectantly, I place my pen to paper,
Willing you to take the lead,
But alas you guide me not!
My hand unmoved as though dead.
I have ideas within my mind
Though jumbled and unclear.
I need you to unravel them.
Oh Muse, take the wheel and steer.
They say, write something every day,
Anything at all.
I try to heed this wise advice,
But, I’m up against a wall.
Oh Muse, how I pine for you,
I’m abandoned and alone.
Please return from whence you’ve gone
To help my pen atone.
Others seem to write with ease,
Words fill page after page.
But I sit here without a thought
For my pen to engage.
I know that when the time is right
You’ll suddenly appear,
But patience is not an attribute
I personally revere.
I pray that you return, oh Muse,
I know that is your will.
Take me to new writing heights
And guide my stifled quill.
by John Hansen © 2017
Now I find myself branching out and experimenting with short fiction, and thoroughly enjoying this, especially flash fiction.
I have been fortunate to have two poems made into songs and recorded. The first "On the Road to Kingdom Come" by Al Wordlaw, and the second, "If I Could Write a Love Poem" by award-winning Israeli/British singer Tally Koren.
My services increasingly in demand as a freelance writer and I have ghost-written the text for a number of children's books and educational tutorials.
It has taken me many years of searching and restlessness to realise that my life's passion is to write. It saddens me that I wasted so many years not devoting to that, but thinking positively, the experiences gained over those years are now wonderful material for my stories and poems.
I want to try to bring a new focus on poetry and try to make it appealing to a new generation of young people and those who thought they never liked or understood it before.
- The First Word – A Flash Fiction Story - January 18, 2024
- Dawns Song ~ and Twilight Serenade - December 1, 2023
- Weave Me a Story - June 15, 2023
Well your stifled quill wrote this, John! Trying to write never works; just write anything that comes into your head. Soon ideas will flow and so will your words. I do like the irony of writing a poem about not being able to write of poem. lol Cheers!
Thanks, Tony. I was thinking the same thing. It is quite ironic 🙂 You have to do what works.
Ps . Just a question about advertising authors books. Is the rule just one book, cause I was thinking of doing an ad for my last four books all on Amazon. Just not clear as to the site rule.
I can’t see a problem in doing one ad for all four books, Tony. Otherwise, you could do separate ads for each at the end of four of your posts, but I don’t think that is really necessary.
If you sir can write a poem about writer block while you have writer block is nothing short of amazing…lol…. loved it..
Haha, Thanks, Kurt. Miracles do happen.
Well there it is John, still an inspiration to write about the ups and downs of writing itself. I can relate very well. My pen has a mind of its own, and on its own terms, I can never force it. Well done getting that pen moving! Enjoyed it.
Best,
Mel
Thank you , Mel. Glad you can relate to this and that you enjoyed it.
I’m going to have to agree with Kurt on this one John…most people would revel in writer’s block like you’re having…
Hmm, Ralph. Ok have to agree that it could be worse, but I have had more trouble writing than usual. You should see how much paper and scribble I have discarded. I have had a lot on my mind with moving house I guess. Seems to be all good now though that I have written this 🙂 thanks for reading.
To just charge right on through and crush that block is great. Love your poem. Well done, John.
Thank you, Phyllis. Yeah, that is one way to do it that works. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed this.
I would have to agree with the masses here John. To be able to come up with something like this, while being in the middle of a writers block, is nothing short of amazing. Isnt it awful though, its like a maze with nothing but dead ends, its almost like your mind has to find the soft spot and break free. I dealt woth that for a little while recently too. But. When it passed and i broke free it was like the flood gates opened.
Excellent piece John. Well done~Paul
Paul, I almost feel like a fraud staying I have writer’s block and the writing this poem. But honestly I have been getting frustrated at my lack of ability to get something satisfactory from my notebook to the computer. As you say, once you break free, the floodgates open. That is exactly what has happened. I even managed to rework something else I had been struggling with for days and publish it. Thanks for the encouraging comment.