Perhaps Hemingway had Days like These

Perhaps Hemingway had Days like These

 

 

 

 

How long it has been
since last I penned

a plethora of words

 

where days and weeks

neurotically merged,

leaving me without prose

or metaphor to ponder

 

Perhaps Hemingway had days like these,
repeated attempts at metered rhymes
with nothing more

than a grocery list to show for

 

with nothing more

than a double barreled shotgun

in need of cleaning.

 

Author's Note

The last verse was written under the assumption that Hemingway’s death was accidental, caused by a shotgun discharging while being cleaned. I read that his last few years were marked by great physical and emotional suffering, as he was also treated with electroshock therapy, which instead of improving his condition, impaired his memory, making writing impossible. To no longer be able to do the one thing he loved most simply staggers the mind.

Reviews

[William Liston]

Though quite brief, this poem gives a strong impact, especially knowing what you provided in the author's note.
This is probably the most creative and original poem I've read about writer's block. I especially enjoyed the line "a grocery list to show for" because it perfectly describes how scribbled, uninspired thoughts often look on a page. On top of that, it lead to a killer ending. Well done.

- William Liston

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, Will. I found your review to be my reward!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i like that ending...don't think it was accidental...but that grocery list...i can relate...right now i couldn't even write a good one of those.
when nothing is coming we feel like the pen is an empty gun---nothing in the chamber...no bullets.

j.

[Kelly Scheppers]

You gave me a chill with the analogy of the pen being an empty gun. I can't imagine the horror he faced - the escape he so desperately wanted. Thank you, Jacob.

[Tony Jordan]

I found the empathetic sentiment in this heart-breaking Kelly. You obviously felt the horror (to some degree) that he must have felt and penned this with love.
Bravo Kelly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I was totally absorbed by what I was reading. I'm really proud that came through...thank you, Tony!

[Ted Kniffen]

A writer for the ages, Kelly, and one whose tragic end we can only hope was accidental. We can sympathize with his plight because we can associate his loss through our own endeavors. What would happen if we found ourselves in a similar situation?
A good write, Kelly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I learned that there was a genetic disease, called "Hemochromatosis", that ran in his family, which caused the inability to metabolize iron, which results in symptoms of physical and mental deterioration. Hemingway had been diagnosed with it in early 1961. Thank you so much for your insightful review, Ted. I really appreciate it, especially on this piece!

[andrew mitchell]

A tragedy for him sadly but a write indeed Kelly up there In perfect splendour. A stage performance!

[Kelly Scheppers]

It really was a tragedy, knowing his life came to such a tragic end. Thank you, Andrew!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed you have captured the essence of the writer's dilemma and a professional hazzard even the greatest, or more-so the greatest suffer. The grocery list injects a little flavour of the mundanity of everyday living that everyone experiences. Written in a folorn and sensitive voice.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your words warmed my heart, John. Thank you!

[The Iron Horseman]

Well written and informative, too. Your explanatory note made it much more concrete and relevant.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Your appreciation for what I've done touches me deeply.

[The Iron Horseman]

You're welcome.

[Pete]

hmm. didn't know that. to not be able to do what one lives for is just sad & heartbreaking. tragic waste. i'm thinking of former patriots player aaron hernandez who is in the news today for having been found hanged in his jail cell today. doesn't matter how well we do, it's the doing that matters. powerful. thanks for sharing kelly ...

[Kelly Scheppers]

I must have spent hours totally absorbed in what I was discovering about the man, and it made me think of how much my writing means to me. To have that taken away for whatever reason simply shocked me to the core. Thank you, Pete!

[JessyJacob]

I had to delete, my commnets, as I felt bad to write like that, as thoughts are flowing by, which i flet are not right, to hurt someone.