Frustrated Writer
Writers block can come suddenly.21 total reviews
Comment from BeasPeas
Another wonderful poem, beautifully illustrated and expressed in this free verse piece. I find that sometimes the "well runs dry" and at other times the "swollen mountain stream roars." So true. Marilyn
reply by the author on 30-Jul-2018
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Another wonderful poem, beautifully illustrated and expressed in this free verse piece. I find that sometimes the "well runs dry" and at other times the "swollen mountain stream roars." So true. Marilyn
Comment Written 30-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 30-Jul-2018
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Thank you, Marilyn, so much for your kind praise. I am glad you can easily relate to both scenes. Rod
Comment from LIJ Red
The guy who wrote Madame Bovary was said to spend the morning inserting a comma and the afternoon taking it out. Looks like excellent free verse to me.
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018
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The guy who wrote Madame Bovary was said to spend the morning inserting a comma and the afternoon taking it out. Looks like excellent free verse to me.
Comment Written 23-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018
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Many thanks for taking the time to read and review ?Frustrated Writer.? Rod
Comment from Dorothy Farrell
Hi Rod, this is a very well written free verse with good use of metaphor throughout. Very descriptive - a good subject that most readers will identify with. In this case, only a poem - no sign of writer's block. Well done - Good Luck in the contest. Regards Dorothy
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2018
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Hi Rod, this is a very well written free verse with good use of metaphor throughout. Very descriptive - a good subject that most readers will identify with. In this case, only a poem - no sign of writer's block. Well done - Good Luck in the contest. Regards Dorothy
Comment Written 20-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2018
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Thank you so much for sharing my free verse poem, Dorothy. Unfortunately, the wintry scene is true, but there?s hope this weekend will provide a spark. Rod
Comment from Bill Schott
This free verse, Frustrated Writer, finds the author comparing the flood of ideas and energy with the dense and seemingly unmovable state of acceptable creativity. Water works well here to make that observation.
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2018
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This free verse, Frustrated Writer, finds the author comparing the flood of ideas and energy with the dense and seemingly unmovable state of acceptable creativity. Water works well here to make that observation.
Comment Written 20-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2018
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Thank you very much, Bill, for sharing my free verse poem. Rod
Comment from Ogden
A troublesome complaint of writers, well expressed! I hope the inspiration came only from hearsay, Rod, although the sentiments seem to be authentic.
Don
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2018
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A troublesome complaint of writers, well expressed! I hope the inspiration came only from hearsay, Rod, although the sentiments seem to be authentic.
Don
Comment Written 20-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2018
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I wish my writer?s block were only hearsay, Don. It frustrates me that words don?t come easily these days, but there?s always hope. Many thanks for sharing my poem. Rod
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I can't see that in your fine writing, Rod.
Don
Comment from kahpot
What a wonderful poem on the effort of a writer when everything is gone, they just have to wait until something or someone sparks something in them, an excellent poem very well written and best wishes for your competition****kahpot
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2018
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What a wonderful poem on the effort of a writer when everything is gone, they just have to wait until something or someone sparks something in them, an excellent poem very well written and best wishes for your competition****kahpot
Comment Written 20-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2018
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Indeed you are right about how SOMEONE can provide the spark. Sometimes it?s someone right here on FanStory. Many thanks for sharing my poem and your kind praise. Rod
Comment from poetwatch
Your muse must be on vacation if words do not want to come out and play. Nothing hurt us writers than looking at a screen and there is nothing on it. One word comes and greedily you grasp for more, only to find that they do not belong in the same line. The heart turns to ice and we go to sleep to write another day. Good entry for the Free-Verse contest.
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2018
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Your muse must be on vacation if words do not want to come out and play. Nothing hurt us writers than looking at a screen and there is nothing on it. One word comes and greedily you grasp for more, only to find that they do not belong in the same line. The heart turns to ice and we go to sleep to write another day. Good entry for the Free-Verse contest.
Comment Written 19-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2018
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I hope my muse is only on vacation, but sometimes I wonder if she?s gone for good. Many thanks for sharing my free verse poem. Rod
Comment from friartuck
Yes! It's like that. Now try adding age to that mix (I'm seventy-six) and see how that ice becomes a glacier! It's happening more and more to me, takes me hours sometimes, to think of the word that I know will work, but just can't quite recall. Thank God I've not had to resort to the thesaurus yet! (smile) A very good free verse poem - good luck with it!
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2018
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Yes! It's like that. Now try adding age to that mix (I'm seventy-six) and see how that ice becomes a glacier! It's happening more and more to me, takes me hours sometimes, to think of the word that I know will work, but just can't quite recall. Thank God I've not had to resort to the thesaurus yet! (smile) A very good free verse poem - good luck with it!
Comment Written 19-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2018
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Many thanks for sharing my free verse poem, friartuck. We are the same age and appear to suffer similar debilitating moments. Sometimes the Thesaurus is what rescues me. Rod
Comment from Shanbreen
This is a very well written free verse demarcating your two phases as a writer. I like the analogy of your words to water. I'm just wondering if you needed the way it's written --
slug-
ish-
ly
Your poetry speaks so well for itself that I wonder if you need gimmicks that take away from the seriousness of your poem. Just the same, well written. Best for the contest.
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2018
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This is a very well written free verse demarcating your two phases as a writer. I like the analogy of your words to water. I'm just wondering if you needed the way it's written --
slug-
ish-
ly
Your poetry speaks so well for itself that I wonder if you need gimmicks that take away from the seriousness of your poem. Just the same, well written. Best for the contest.
Comment Written 19-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2018
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Thank you so much for sharing my free verse poem, Shanbreen. Although I appreciate your suggestion, I wrote ?sluggishly? that way to mimick VISUALLY AND AUDIBLY what those frozen words are like in the winter as they break off in chunks and float downstream. It?s not a gimmick, but a technique many poets use. Rod
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Thank you Rod for the explanation. Appreciate it. I'll remember it the next time I review. =)
Comment from michaelcahill
Bravo, poet. I rarely review anymore, just too busy in the "real" world. :))
However, I just can't read this, enjoy, and pass on by. I love personification and you've used it here to perfection. I think I've read a trillion poems on writer's block, but I've never read one I liked until now. This works beautifully both on topic and simply as an exceptional poem in every respect. Regardless of the voting here, you've written something as good as anything can be written.
I have a couple small suggestions. ONLY suggestions. They may strike you or may not. It's totally killer the way it is, so these are just little ideas.
"Today that stream's
all but frozen
each word
a chunk of ice
broken crudely"
Here, I'd suggest:
"Today that stream's
all but frozen
chunks of ice
broken crudely"
I'm suggesting to eliminate "word" from the phrase. It's understood you're writing about words, yes? A small thing to be sure.
Also, the title. A fine title and totally appropriate. But I'd suggest: "The Frustrating Winter" instead. This way you're also using the title as an analogy instead of spelling it out. ALSO, teeny, teeny.
Anyway, totally LOVED this exceptional piece. Good luck in the contest, but know you rocked this regardless of the vote. :)) mike
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2018
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Bravo, poet. I rarely review anymore, just too busy in the "real" world. :))
However, I just can't read this, enjoy, and pass on by. I love personification and you've used it here to perfection. I think I've read a trillion poems on writer's block, but I've never read one I liked until now. This works beautifully both on topic and simply as an exceptional poem in every respect. Regardless of the voting here, you've written something as good as anything can be written.
I have a couple small suggestions. ONLY suggestions. They may strike you or may not. It's totally killer the way it is, so these are just little ideas.
"Today that stream's
all but frozen
each word
a chunk of ice
broken crudely"
Here, I'd suggest:
"Today that stream's
all but frozen
chunks of ice
broken crudely"
I'm suggesting to eliminate "word" from the phrase. It's understood you're writing about words, yes? A small thing to be sure.
Also, the title. A fine title and totally appropriate. But I'd suggest: "The Frustrating Winter" instead. This way you're also using the title as an analogy instead of spelling it out. ALSO, teeny, teeny.
Anyway, totally LOVED this exceptional piece. Good luck in the contest, but know you rocked this regardless of the vote. :)) mike
Comment Written 19-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2018
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Thank you so much, Mike, for the terrific review and effusive praise. I also welcome your suggestions and will consider each thoroughly.