a guidance councilor once told me

teenage angst

a guidance councilor once told me

 

writers are a funny breed.

they tend to suffer with many

different psychosis,

unexplainable manifestations

which ultimately

leads them down a path to ruin.

 

madness has a price.

 

there are those nights

when the page won't talk

leaving the writer to do nothing

but wallow in delusion, self doubt

a feeling not so indifferent

to waking up alone in a pool of sweat.

 

a writer always drinks.

 

you see, writing is a life sentence

there is no escaping it

some have tried and fallen victim

to there own unsteady hand.

it's a lonely man's game, a dirty profession,

you can't just wash the grime away.

 

copyright 2008 by Darryl Salach, all rights reserved

Reviews

[holly]

When I was in my thirties, I stopped writing because I believed these things about writing, too. You describe these thoughts so well, your word selection and the phrases you use are spot on. But the poet leaves us wondering if these are his ideas or the guidance counselor's. Surely, someone with the talent shown in this poem realizes that none of these beliefs are set in stone (what a trite phrase! but there's none better). Perhaps we all do suffer in some way for our urge to create art, but the costs of not creating are greater. This is well written and engaging work. Thanks of posting it.

[KAREN BROWN]

At times my mind goes blank in writing,but in time something will trigger.Usually when my mind is not on one thing thats were the poetry is there. great job. I don't need to drink to write but some may do that cause how the feel comes out right. thank you for sharing this. karen

[Just Manoosh]

Honey, this is just brilliant. I loved every part of it. Mx

[Valentine]

A very nice and true write....except..I do not drink if you meant booze..I drink water though.. I go through many nights when writing on a book that nothing talks to my mind.. Other times I can be watching a t.v. show and zoom..I have to grab a notebook and put down my thoughts so I will not lose them..I do lose the endings of the tv show though..Always carry a notebook and a pen or pencil that writes ...ideas come at all times,,,God bless Valentine

[Beautifully Tragic xPoe..]

this is brilliant, writing is exactly that! I loved this, Darryl, great write.


Rayne

[Gandré]

I liked this "it's a lonely man's game, a dirty profession,

you can't just wash the grime away." -------- well said, Darryl, writing is exactly this. only you can think so. brilliant.