"Taps" .... with guidance from Richard..thank you sir!

thought i needed a poem on the Muse ... i suppose this will be my one and only. :)

Taps

the nine muses; compliments of Delphi Guide

I went to her and drank my drams in twos,

the service smiled a welcome, one and all.

But, time and pens run dry, because the muse

will sound-off taps, and dusk will surely fall.

Like empty caskets lowered down below,

the darkled, black of ink no words will spill.

She stops at whim, her flow as omen'd crow … 

my raucous, cawing, craving heart -- be still.

I try to resurrect reluctant muse,

with no success, as looking in I see,

a dust that chokes and gags creative fuse,

that burns too short to lift her harsh decree.

She plays the taps when time is standing mute,

and reveille when want cannot refute.

E. 7/25/2019

Author's Note

Reviews

[Richard🖌]

Ah,
The title struck and drew me to your verse.
Beautifully rendered, My Friend, in all the magnificence a true Sonnet should be, and brilliantly displayed here in homage portrayed and paid to your petulantly stubborn muse.
It is the rare few who can compose a proper English Sonnet, and yours dances to the beat and rhythm every true poet's heart can feel. Your imagery is vivid, emotion compelling, and syntax that brings all to life upon the page … the workings of a master poet.
I think it's amazing, the flexibility in variety of artistic skill displayed upon your pages.
I am humbled by the generous mention of my name, as but a mere touch here and there was called for, you prepared so well.
Love the perfect picture choice, and the music(?) … hmmm, let's say a bit eerie, but it certainly gets the idea across. 😳

Ya know, Gene? I often wish I had a muse, but after reading this, I'm not so sure I could coax her to properly behave … LOL!
Thank you for sharing another of your excellent, skillfully, and artfully composed pieces … KUDOS! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahahaha yes ... if wishes were dreams we would dream them come true eh!? she most certainly will not behave herself no matter what we do :)))))))))))))) thank you for all your time and generosity here at the Cafe' ..i am actually beginning to think of the sonnet as fun to write .. a huge change for me as my first attempts were grueling and never quite right ;) i wanted some dreamy lute music of the Renaissance but got too excited to post and went with what you see .. thanks again for your guidance ... some new horizons are peeking open to me as a result .. thanks so much .. peace and joy sir!
E.

[Richard🖌]

Well, Gene,
As a poet, you have realized a rare accomplishment to be exceedingly proud of.read moreWell, Gene,
As a poet, you have realized a rare accomplishment to be exceedingly proud of.
Is it not amazing how much more enjoyable, satisfying, and rewarding it is to accept the challenge of composing poetry through earnestly developed, correctly understood, well-crafted, and honestly earned skill?
Congratulations, My Skilled Friend, and a well-crafted English Sonnet … brilliant work!

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you :)

[gram linski]

She is indeed a fickle lover, passionate and inspiring when she hasn't gone AWOL, often to be found in a dram or two,

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahaha yes! AWOL!! :)) if not found .. certainly imagined in a dram or two :)))))))))))))) great to have your visit and review gram! thanks :)
E.

[emmajoy]

If that Sonnet is the result of your muse's long absence, will wait and wait and wait! Having said that, would and could never in a million twirls of ink create such glorious metre or language, my friend. From opening word to last you've tied a gentle knot that holds creativity in the finest shape. I know Richard is a fine advisor and I know practise makes perfect.. but to write of an absence of muse and then have her send you such a glorious lifebelt is... incredible!

Renaisance was one of Josh's extraordinary 'favourite 'performers; he's say that they were sound jugglers.. sometimes using too many hands!'

[Einstein Noodle]

Renaissance is one of Ken's favorites too ..i had never heard of them until i searched for music for this poem ... so surprised they have been around such a long time ... and thank you so much for your generous and super encouraging review ... i am trying to get a firmer grasp on sonnets thanks to Richard's help and inspiration ... i think practice is the key also .. and i am surprised to find how much easier they get with said practice and guidance ... so happy you enjoyed .. i have not written about the Muse before ... this will probably be my one and only as i stated ... love on ya always Em!
E.

[emmajoy]

Been told never to under-estimate what the Muse gets up to; soooo, who knows what wonders await your discovery! Have a wonderful day. :)

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ((((((((((((((emma)))))))))))))))

[John Alexander McFadyen]

The Classic English sonnet taken and the taps turned on in US style as the muse seeks to amuse the poet in his task and offer him redemption!

[Einstein Noodle]

you feel me Sir John! doesn't surprise me one bit .. thanks always for your visits and reviews .. :)
E.

[Cherrie]

I see taps being used two ways here.
From music merriment to the long farewell.
A muse for me forsure.

[Einstein Noodle]

one of my neighbors gave me a short bugle .. of course i had to try to play it much to Norma's chagrin ... as well as the howling protests of me dogs ;) yes .. taps and reveille .. she puts to sleep .. and wakes us up .. whenever she pleases eh!?
E.

[Ken Simm.]

So now we are channeling Tennyson are we?
No other words for it I'm afraid Gene but Superb. You've taken on some task and aquitted yourself amazingly. No s**t!
Love Rennaisance as well. You know she has a range of ten octaves and she comes from my home town.

[Einstein Noodle]

no! i did not know that .. was not familiar with them until i searched for music for this poem ... Tennyson???!!! holy moly Ken..i think not but i sure am going home happy that you mention him in connection with this poem ... thank you for your encouraging review .. so glad you stopped to read and review ... i haven't seen new posts from you lately .. going to knock on your door and see if i missed something .. when we meet here at the Cafe' i think of you in those Highlands ... home of the Blairs ... half me birthright ... so i feel the mist in the air ... and hear the banchee wailing .. so glad we have met sir!
E.

[Ken Simm.]

More than welcome Sir. Annie Haslam is her name and their most famous single was Northern Lights. Quite big over here in the seventies and Annie is atill producing albums.
I've been away for a while finishing paintings for two exhibitions coming up.
The only thing I have added is quite a long story called Acoustic Interludes in various places. Rather personal that one if it is to believed of course.
Very misty at the moment in the Heelands strange to say. But then it usually is. I've also just returned from a remote island called Barra in the Western Isles.

[Einstein Noodle]

you are the gypsy ..i am so jealous sir! ;) i read your new story .. wonderful and teary for me :( i thought Annie must be new .. now i really have to check out more of their work ... welcome back sir!

[Vin]

keep writing

Vin ( https://vinajith.blogspot.com/ )

[Einstein Noodle]

i will Vin!
E.

[Lorry]

Hey E, nicely done.
Just popped in and saw we are on the same wavelength here, so thought I would stop in and say hello.
My muse is being such a back seat driver these days, that it would almost be worthwhile crashing just to see her fly through the windscreen. 😀
She is a tough lady to please indeed, but you do so very well in giving it the feeling of being drained, or perhaps unplugged that we all know too well.
Maybe when the error 404 report clears, I will find my muse connection to be 5G and I too will know reveille. But until then, I shall just have to put up with the slow Chinese water torture drip....... Drip....... Drip.
Look forward to being back soon.

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahaha .. so glad you are figuring out the computer thing Lorry! you are missed around here! glad you stopped an caught this one ... strain to hear those rousing reveille notes (wanna borrow me bugle?) ...not sure crashing her through the windscreen will do much good ... i am pretty sure she is indestructible ... fickle, obstinate and independent yes ... but not mortal ;)) thanks so much for reviewing sir ... so you soon i hope!
E.

[Paul Bell]

If the muse goes and comes back as this, it's all worth waiting for.
It really is weird waiting for something to flow out of your head at times, so bloody frustrating as half finished poems lay dormant. Then boom, inspiration hits usually at four in the morning, but what the hell, the page is alive again.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes yes yes ... those half started, half finished inklings we keep in the incubator ... some will never hatch .. but oh those that do bring us such a feeling of accomplishment ... i have about 5 titles and starts kept on my desktop .. so everytime i sign on they are there staring at me .. haunting and taunting me to just try and move ahead before they are ready ;} oh we do suffer don't we Paul!?? so happy for your visits always .. thanks!
E.

[Paul Bell]

got to be done, keeps you going.

[Relic]

I want to write like this someday. Richard is at the top for guidance.

I've been a fan of Renaissance for many years. Nice addition.

Great writing.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes he is Relic ... one just has to listen eh!? i had not heard of Renaissance ... they came up as i searched for something about the Muse .. they are unique for sure .. and i think accomplished musicians ... the effort it takes to work out a sonnet is well worth it my friend .. i would suggest the attempt to anyone ... thank you for taking time here my friend .. much appreciate it!
E.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wow, not only a sonnet but finally, one that we can relate to as common poets who rely on the muse...she comes and goes on a whim...she is contrary, but we love her...you capture all of this in your wonderful write.
i cheered through most of this...yelling "write on, brother----we hear ya"
And i hope she (the muse) responds well to this.
As Chris said...so good to see a new one from you...
she came back with a vengeance.
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahahaha jacob!! i have such a grin on me face right now ... as i hear and see your cheers .. can not tell you how much that blesses me .. so happy you enjoyed reading ... i am not very prolific no matter what form ... i appreciate that friends here do not forget me in the interval between posts from me :} so glad you dropped in on this one sir! it was actually fun to write
E.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

if only you were more prolific...but it's worth waiting for the poetry from you when it does decide to arrive.
j.