RIP Muse

[PrinceMyshkin]

Ding dong, my Muse is dead!
Not even if I stand on my head
will he or she come to visit.

I must ask: “What is it?”

Did I bend the syntax too far,
or fudge a rhyme,
or continue to write
long after my time?

Better, I think, like any good swan,
that I had died and my Muse lived on.
*

[everyadventure]

Ah, a different spin on Jassy's theme. An interesting concept, "muse." It seems most of my poems sprout from sorrow... not a "muse" I'd miss!

Always love to see a Prince poem! Especially liked the bit about the swan :)

[Haunted]

Wonderful metaphor. From the silliness of "Not even if I stand on my head" to the death in beauty as "like any good swan", there's a pool of emotions around the inability to write, something us writers know that's what we live for. Here's a bumper sticker for Litnet poets: Write or Die.

[Jassy Melson]

A faint voice tells me that I should be honored that something I composed inspired you to write something. A louder and clearer voice tells me that it is no honor.

[PrinceMyshkin]

Many thanks, EA, Haunted and - I guess? - Jassy.

[AuntShecky]

Wonderful!
I particularly liked the "post-modern" element, echoing
from the "Yip" Harburg lyric in the "iconic" Wizard of Oz to Eliot's "Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock."
Not only that, the rhyme adds to the good humor!

[Delta40]

I like the Ding Dong part. Reminded me so much of the munchkins celebration when the witch died in Oz. You give the reader varied perspectives of the muse relationship. I can see your striped stockinged feet curl up as I read....!

[Bar22do]

Well, in the meantime you're both sparklingly alive! Heaven be blessed for that. The proof is your delightful rhyme as well as the gentlemanly connection between the poet and the Muse (she) who, if you want it or not, has just paid you a visit!

[Jack of Hearts]

Liked the last part a lot, Poet Formerly Known as Prince.







J

[jajdude]

Nice one.

But, who the hell is this muse character?

[hillwalker]

At first I thought it was Avon calling... witty without being slapstick, and I also like the closing couplet.

H

[Hawkman]

I have to agree, My Prince, that it would appear that your muse has not deserted you completely :) I, like many others, know how it feels when the muse neglects us. The urge to write is like the buzzing of a dying fly, trapped out of sight in a web or crevice, but all one catches are isolated lines and half-formed ideas. In such circumstances it can be inspirational to write about the block itself and come up with a gem like this one, with its self-depricating humour and wit.

Loved it.

Live long and prosper - H

[paperleaves]

Such a sad poem, I can only hope your lost muse shall find its way home :)