The Muse
I was working on another piece when this sort of came to me; so I quickly wrote it down; and with minor changes I’m submitting it. And I still haven’t finished the other poem.
(Revised 15.06.2021)
The Muse
She comes to me in the night,
stooping down beside my bed;
to whisper softly in my ear,
a rhyme so sweet and neat,
a delight – perfect and meet:
that I will, when I’m awake,
copy down for all to hear;
but then – sleep interferes.
Sadly, when morning comes,
she has departed, and I cannot
find again that timeless face;
it’s gone – like melted snow,
and all that’s left is sorrow.
© D G Moody
I know how it is to be visited by the Muse like this, the feeling is different though, it’s disappointment, but I soon forget it too, all I need is a word to still linger and I may or may never write anything based on that word.
thanks for sharing.
It happens to all of us, I’m afraid Douugle. Some people suggest you ought to keep a pen and notebook by your bedside in case the Muse comes calling during the night.
Thanks Nic, Luigi, for the comments. The question of the Muse is interesting; my own view (and experience), is that it is not coming from the day-time conscious mind, but is either sub-conscious, or pre-conscious. I do keep the obligatory note pad and pen beside my bed; and I must immediately get up and begin writing it down – if I’m not to loose what has come – usually around three in the morning. But I have at (too many times) lost the inspiration; drifting back to sleep with the new poem lucid in my mind, only to find in… Read more »
D,
I was not sure about this line; it just seemed a bit odd – but that may be my grasp of English.
a delight – perfect and meet;
Meet: proper, fitting, correct. It’s an archaic (by today’s standards) term, though still used in Anglican services; as in ‘it is meet and right so to do’ – in response to the priest at the Eucharist. Interestingly, it can also be spelt as mete. The word, like the common meet: to meet someone, is of old German and Norse origin. Like a lot of common English, it would have been familiar to our grandparents, not so much to our parents (unless they were church attendees) but not used nowadays in that context. I guess it came to me from those… Read more »
What a distraction! We experience it off and on. Please continue with the other poem, don’t worry for there are other nights too. Wonderful lines.
Thank you. I’ve finished the other one, will post soon; though it is of a similar theme.
Hi Dougie, Again the rhythm throws me a bit. I read every poem out loud and it soon shows where it falters a bit.
When she comes to me there is a feeling of warmth, being in the flow and being more a scribe. I wish she would come back! .
Many times I have to read the poem back to see what it was all about or why certain words were chosen.
The pic is perfect.
Alison x
Thanks Alison, for the comments. I agree, the rhythm could be improved, as I wrote it down as it came to me; so maybe a revisit in time, after letting it rest a bit. And there is that special sensation we sometimes get when letting our muse speak. I’ve got another one of a similar ilk, that I’ll post when ready – but definitely a ‘tongue in cheek’ effort!
Best…Dougie