Writing poetry is an alternative form of self-expression and communication. What is the message you take away as you read this poem?

Seeking My Muse

Unfinished poetry left with no return

Searching for my muse

Come out, come out, wherever you are

You alone stir my creative juices

Suppressed, innate creativity

To write or not to write

Floundering for inspiration and ideas

While my muse cowers in the corner

Have I ignored you for too long?

Have I sent you away for being bothersome?

I long for your inspiration

Unexpected gentle whispers

Come back to me my spark of creativity

The filter for ideas

Answer my beckoning, nourish my soul

Replenish my focus and energy

I sense the promise of your awakening

Patiently waiting for your return

Join me in the dance of words

That pirouettes in my writers mind.

In Conclusion

In his book On Writing Stephen King said, “There is a muse, but he’s not going to come fluttering down into your writing room and scatter creative fairy-dust all over your typewriter or computer. He lives in the ground. He’s a basement kind of guy. You have to descend to his level, and once you get down there you have to furnish an apartment for him to live in. You have to do all the grunt labor, in other words, while the muse sits and smokes cigars and admires his bowling trophies and pretends to ignore you. Do you think it’s fair? I think it’s fair. He may not be much to look at, that muse-guy, and he may not be much of a conversationalist, but he’s got inspiration. It’s right that you should do all the work and burn all the mid-night oil, because the guy with the cigar and the little wings has got a bag of magic. There’s stuff in there that can change your life. Believe me, I know.”

© 2020 Audrey Hunt

Comments

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on October 16, 2020:

Beautiful poem and relatable too. It's good to see you publishing after long. Now you have inspired so many of us.

Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful day.

Liz Westwood from UK on October 16, 2020:

This poem captures the art of being inspired to write extremely well. The reader is taken into the world of a writer seeking their muse via the portal of this poem.

Devika Primic on October 16, 2020:

Audrey this is a brilliant read. You give me lots to think about a Muse.

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on October 15, 2020:

I love this one!

It does seem like one's muse hides in the corner not to be found sometimes.

The little piece you added from Stephen King is awesome too. That he's not gonna sprinkle fairy dust...and there is a bag of magic.

Nice writing.

Thanks for making me smile.

Audrey Hunt (author) from Idyllwild Ca. on October 15, 2020:

Bill

You're the man! I love a "no-nonsense" kind of muse who light's my fire. And you do that for me. My book would still be in the "pre-op" stage if not for your expert guidance. This grasshopper thanks you with all her heart for teaching me how to "conduct my orchestra."

love,

audrey

Audrey Hunt (author) from Idyllwild Ca. on October 15, 2020:

Ann

I seem to rely on emotion when I write. Whether this is natural or not, I don't know. Like you, unfinished work lays waiting. And, as you've said, when I return to my original writing it speaks to me in a different way.

I love and appreciate your comments.

Thank you and stay safe and happy.

Kalpana Iyer from India on October 15, 2020:

The ever-elusive muse. We are forever on the search and when we do chance upon a meet, all kinds of magic happen!

This was wonderfully written and I am sure all writers will find it relatable.

Shannon Henry from Texas on October 15, 2020:

I really like this one! Especially since I was just yesterday looking at an unfinished poem of mine and I ultimately did not do anything more to it, though I certainly thought about finishing it.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on October 15, 2020:

Audrey, I love this poem and even the quote of Stephen King added to the story. With your skilled singing voice and your ability to write, I don't think your muse will be gone for long. You abilities in the arts shines! Have a blessed day.

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on October 15, 2020:

I love your poem Audrey. I think my muse has gone to Fla. to spend the winter. If I had her phone number I would call her and beg her to come back home, but shucks, she shows up when I least expect her. Peace my friend.

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on October 15, 2020:

Wonderful poem and take on the muse. I have to admit, I have not listened much to my muse. I don't know it well. Time to change this.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on October 15, 2020:

I think that your muse has been awakened and is sprinkling all kinds of fairy dust! Well done!

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on October 15, 2020:

Audrey, I love your poem, especially the last stanza. However, I'm not so sure your muse has abandoned you. It seems she has focused her attention on your voice and your music. I love the concerts you've given on YouTube. You're very talented and I love listening to you.

Stephen King's explanation of "muse" is very interesting. My muse isn't a man so she doesn't live in the basement (nor do I have one!). I think when she goes off, it's by way of the wind where she dances with the clouds until I'm ready to join her.

Nell Rose from England on October 15, 2020:

I loved your poem and totally agree with you about our muse just disappearing, lol! Stephen King I imagine got it completely right. Its not up there, just down in the basement ready for us to wingle out!

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on October 15, 2020:

I loved it, of course, and I love King's words about the muse. Mine carries a lunchbox, and he lives in the basement, and he's a no-nonsense kind of guy. "Put in the hours, work your ass off, and Bill, I just might toss some inspiration your way."

He's kind of hard to please. :)

Ann Carr from SW England on October 15, 2020:

I can identify with 'unexpected gentle whispers'! Sometimes my muse takes me completely unawares and then I'm really fired up.

Beautiful poetry - you catch the elusive within the longed for and the determination, Audrey.

I must have loads of unfinished pieces and occasionally I come across them and they speak to me in a different way - that's all I need to get going again.

I love the quote from Stephen King too.

Good to read your writing again. Keep safe and well.

Ann

Audrey Hunt (author) from Idyllwild Ca. on October 14, 2020:

John

I thank you for reading my poem and for being the first to comment. Here's hoping my muse will stay around for a while. I, too, love Stephen King's description of a muse.

Thanks, again

FlourishAnyway

I agree with you and thanks for adding this awareness to my poem.

Take care.

John Hansen from Queensland Australia on October 14, 2020:

I am so glad you you went searching for your muse, and woke him/her out of their slumber, Audrey. Your poem says it all. I particularly like the last stanza:

“I sense the promise of your awakening

Patiently waiting for your return

Join me in the dance of words

That pirouettes in my writers mind.”

I love Stephen King’s description of a muse too.

Thank you for sharing. Good job.

FlourishAnyway from USA on October 14, 2020:

Unfinished writing pieces are some of the most frustrating pieces. Sometimes you just have to scrap them or radically revise.