You Decided You Aren't a Writer

You want to be a writer.
You jot 500 words every day.
You spend hours
to find the perfect story endings.
You realize the next day
they could be better.

You spend years waiting
for a beautiful thought.
None come to you.
You try pot and LSD a few times
with a notebook by your side.
You end up drawing-
Dragons committing suicide.

You vacation in exotic places.
A summer in Cairo,
Winter in Paris,
Spring in Montreal.
You end up drunk
in the hotel bars at
4 am.
You forget your room key every time.
Managers let you in.

You lie on your stained mattress
and stare at the ceiling.
You start to see falcons
as they fly over the vast mountain range.
You can't find words for it,
its beauty,
or its significance.

Reviews

[mcg03002]

Have you ever seen Sister Act II? Your poem made me think of that scene where Whoopi says to Rita "I know you want to sing. See... I love to sing. Nothing makes me happier. I either wanted to be a singer, or the head of the Ice Capades. Hey! Do you know what the Ice Capades are? Don't roll your eyes. They were very cool.
I went to my mother who gave me this book...called Letters To A Young Poet. Rainer Maria Rilke. He's a fabulous writer. A fellow used to write to him and say: "I want to be a writer. Please read my stuff." And Rilke says to this guy: "Don't ask me about being a writer. lf, when you wake up in the morning, you can think of nothing but writing...then you're a writer." I'm gonna saythe same thing to you. If you wake up in the mornin' and you can't think of anything but singin' first...then you're supposed to be a singer."

I liked your poem, because I identified with it. It made me feel emotion...which means you accomplished what you set out to do...that is, convey emotion, sentiment, perspective, and a glimpse of what's inside you to the reader. I don't know you, but now I know a little bit about what's in your heart.

Stop wanting to be a writer. You already are one. :-)

[Natasha]

Writer's block sucks, as does a pefectionist who doesn't realize something is good enough. I can relate to this poem on a couple levels. Wonderful write.