How do I Find Her? (My Muse)

the place from which inspiration springs forth

How could she be gone from these hands...

where are my feet to travel, in which direction are my eyes to look?

Dormant hands can't break the peace of paper,

my clouded mind produces no sparks. Calling out to

celestial bodies whom I've never spoke to...

I look skyward; these begging eyes were turned away.

The poised sky King, much too busy to bother

with but a spec amongst the kingdom his light rules.

So, I turn to her--- ever eternal mother.

To whom I'm helplessly bound to perch,

roaming her vast landscapes for a sufficient answer.

Traversing icy peaks and exploring gaping canyons,

listening for the ancient secrets they harbor;

if nothing else... why did the rose not speak to me?

Has she hidden herself within the swell of the people?

I seek her out in the smiles of playful children,

in the experienced eyes of elders--- these hands find her not.

Where left is there to look? I call out to my brothers...

poets, musicians, painters, writers. Surely the very translators

of inspiration can direct jaded eyes to the place she may be.

If I am now to be a traveler, she is not

the direction in which I walk, but the compass

upon which I am dependent.

How could she have gone from these hands...

where are my feet to travel, in which direction are my eyes to look?

Author's Note

Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[UniqueChi]

I really like that....beautiful

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you very much, I appreciate your review.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i like the introspection of this...i like bookends of the first two lines repeated.

the she in here although likely the muse...could be a lover also...could be mother nature.

openness to this...wonderful write...the imagery of what's seen exposes that which isn't.

jacob

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

You have a great insight, our muses take many different forms and roles... this piece is my pursuit of those ideals, the search. I'm glad to know you enjoyed it Jacob.

[Renée]

umm such beauty in your musings of missing your muse..so beautiful I can't imagine the wonders you will write when you find her again...

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Missing her I am... I'm sure she hasn't gone far. Thank you, Renee for yet another wonderful review.

[Renée]

I read work aloud and I can't imagine she is far with such beautiful pieces still being written ..

[TL Boehm]

I so enjoyed this write. I think we all wonder about our perspective muses. I just write without mine and if she chooses to join the party - fine - if not - oh well. Of course, maybe that's why I don't have many readers!
she's there. Just remind her - she works for you. Not the other way around. What is a muse without a man to inspire? Right?

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

What is she then, indeed? I'm glad you enjoyed this piece. Thank you for such a lovely review!

[Rita L. Sev]

Oh, that elusive Muse... I think she likes this type of poem best. This is so rich in unique images, Travis - I love this: "Dormant hands can't break the peace of paper..." Clever wordplay.
Your Muse is busy in your hands, based on this piece. Well done!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so much, Rita. That is actually one of my favorite lines in this piece.

[Coyote Poetry]

When the muse is lost. I go to the great ancient writers. Take a line from their poetry. After reading the work of the master Poets. I read their statements. Give me the will to create and write. My desire is revived to write again. Hard to find the missing muse. Sometime we need a adventure or two to bring the energy to write. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry. All of us seek the muses.
Coyote

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

That we all do... it's those very adventures I was trying to describe here. I'm glad my fellow writers relate so accurately. I'm honored to have executed this properly. Thank you, Coyote, you're reviews are always uplifting.

[Yellow Butterfly]

I like how your thoughts transcend from self doubt plateauing through anxiety and flourishing with confidence as your realization hits home..

If I am now to be a traveler, she is not
the direction in which I walk, but the compass
upon which I am dependent.

Your muse never left your side... she allowed you a little breathing space to work things out that she knew your were more than capable of doing so. You lost a little bit of focus which was draining your energy till you started feeding your anxiety quenching your thirst to succeed...

Thank you PH for this inspiring piece.. :O)

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so much for this touching review. I'm glad you were able to understand my perspective here so clearly.

[Yellow Butterfly]

Your welcome....

[Angi]

Our muses like to toy with us, Travis. They taunt and tease and hide. In your case, she was hiding right out in the open. She never left you. If she had, this piece wouldn't be this good. Muses like to play with us like that, they play with our confidence all the time. Angi~

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

You present a strong point, I guess this cruel way of playing keeps us on our toes. Thank you for the awesome review, Angi.

[Angi]

Always a pleasure!

[shallimarRose]

"I seek her out in the smiles of playful children,
in the experienced eyes of elders-"

I really enjoyed this piece... Very strong flow for someone with writers block.. We all need inspiration and perhaps yours is just taking a break..

If you can write like this with her missing.. I am definitely wanting to come back when you find her... shallimarRose

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for a great review, Shallimar. I'm glad you enjoyed this piece, and I do look forward to your future thoughts on my work.

[ANTO]

This may be the best imagery centred around writers block as I've ever read ph
"Calling out to
celestial bodies whom I've never spoke to..." - I love the feeling of scrabbling in the dark this invokes

Funny but - when i consider the skill in this piece I suspect she might just be where she always was...

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for such a grand compliment. I'm glad the message was clear, you do have an excellent point tho. In spite of its subject, she had to be present even where it seems she isn't.