Writer’s Block…
I stared at the blank screen;
The blinking cursor frightened me.
I wanted to write,
But I could not.
I raked my brain for ideas,
But it was as empty as a Monday morning church.
I searched my notes and idea books,
But they were empty as the looted bank vault.
I tried and tried,
But nothing came to mind,
Nothing worth writing,
Nothing worth sharing.
I was cold with fear,
My writing career was over.
My muse had gone away,
Leaving me to find my own way.
I stopped thinking,
I put the pen down,
I stood up and left,
Leaving the blank screen.
I rode to the market,
I strode to my favorite cafe,
I had coffee and sandwiches,
Black coffee and tuna sandwiches.
I rode again,
I went to the beach,
The sea was calm,
And the breeze was warm.
I sat down and looked at the sea,
It had a calming effect,
It soothed me and calmed me,
I dozed off and woke up a few hours later.
I felt fresh and rejuvenated,
My mind was brimming with ideas,
I took my notebook, my constant companion;
And captured most of them.
Then I realized a fact,
It is better not to force the mind,
Be ready and capture the ideas,
As and when they appear.
Vandana said,
October 22, 2011 at 2:43 am
Lovely poem. Loved the simile ” as empty as a Monday morning church” .
Yes, the mind really works best when relaxed. But we should also be ready, as you rightly said, to capture the ideas when they appear. Many times, I find myself getting thoughts that are very interesting, but I do not have anything to note it down at that moment. Later, I get caught up in the usual humdrum and the thought is lost forever.
Paresh said,
October 22, 2011 at 10:47 am
Wow! Wow! Wow! You’re a real Poet man… Loved this one. 🙂
Alexis Leon said,
October 22, 2011 at 11:27 am
Vandana: Thank you Vandana. But ‘as empty as a Monday morning church’, I got from Alan Jackson’s Monday Morning Church:
‘You left my heart as empty
As a Monday morning church’
Paresh:Thanks Paresh. Poet no, may be an aspiring one 😉
Rahul said,
October 23, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Nice poem Alexis. You don’t seem to have writer’s block as you can write and you write about Writer’s block 🙂 The photograph of the beach is very nice. Did you take it?
Maya said,
October 23, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Alexis it is nice to see your post. It seems that you are writing mainly poems these days. Nice poem, really enjoyed it. I always have the writer’s block when I am under pressure of a deadline 🙂 Happy Diwali in advance.
Jane said,
October 25, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Good one Alexis! Nice to see the flow in the poem which I guess comes automatically for you…..whats with the ”writers block” then?
Happy and safe Diwali to you and all at home.
Alexis Leon said,
October 25, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Rahul: Thanks Rahul. It is a poem that I wrote after reading an article on Writer’s block. As I write mainly about technical subjects. there is not much scope of a writer’s block. If I am not writing it is either due to laziness or some illness. But there are times when I can write more productively and efficiently (and cover a lot). Some days are good and some days are not so good. I have found that if I cannot be ‘in the zone,’ then the best way to get back to it is to relax. The photograph is from the on-line Microsoft Office Clip-art collection. Happy Diwali to you and your family.
Maya: Thanks Maya. This is a poem that I wrote sometime back and was in the draft mode. Today I made some corrections and posted it. Yes, I am posting more poems, but that is because I am posting what I have written earlier. I am during the final stage of a book so am busy with that. I hope you were able to finish your project in time. Happy Diwali to you and your family too.
Jane: Thanks Jane. No, I don’t have a writer’s block–most often I am lazy and am more interested in reading 😉 I wish you and your family a happy and prosperous Diwali.
Vandana said,
October 27, 2011 at 8:00 am
I am going a little off track here – I would like to ask you something, please….I know you are an avid reader; who are your favourite authors? I am a Bill Bryson fan,just wanted to know if you are too?
Alexis Leon said,
October 31, 2011 at 8:21 pm
Vandana: I have many favorite readers, as I read a lot 🙂 Yes, Bill Bryson is one. Other include but not limited to Richard Bach, Joseph Heller, James Herriot , PGW, Paulo Coehlo, Archer, Ludlum, Lee Child, oh… I can’t name them all.