Maddening Muse


“Portrait of Eivind Eckbo” by: Thorvald Hellesen

 

Meet my maddening muse

at times
he’s so unfocused
unclear
uncentered

he can be unsettled
unleveled
disheveled

his message fractured
misaligned
garbled

though I try to interpret
it’s just a blur
amorphous

it’s so aggravating
even infuriating

no solid inspiration

aswim in desperation
each night
becomes each morning

here I sit
in the wee hours
while the sane sleep
I’m steeped
in contradiction

hypnotized in trance
watching concepts dance

thoughts vague
filled with doubt
words tossed about
the unyielding page

I start
then stop
I write
then not
I’m caught

it’s all mercilessly unclear
debilitating confusion
an exasperating delusion
an unreachable conclusion

terminal hesitation
mad mental extrapolation
jostled communication

oh hell
it’s creative constipation

utter agitation
supreme frustration

jumbled afterimages
of conflicting thoughts
bring quiet rage

fickle muse — please
just a spark
to squelch this dark
that grips me like a cage

I’m seekin’ clarity
not charity

shine a lil’light
I’ll do the write

just settle
damnit

settle!
 


“Seeking the Muse” by: rob kistner © 2007

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rob kistner © 2023

Poetry at: dVerse