Oh, no, not another day of the inability to write
I’ve started seven pieces; not one of them is right
Frustration is building rapidly, hour after hour
I’ve lost my sense of humour; my expression rather dour
I had a late night yesterday; is that why I can’t write?
I look a little pale, and my complexion’s rather white
The cat’s a little better, though; she’s lying in her box
She’s peering out the window at the seagull flocks
I’m struggling to get this week’s piece of coursework done
I’m stuck and not finding it easy, and it’s not a lot of fun
I’m scouring the dictionary for words that I can use
Resorting to Thesaurus while I’m desperate for a snooze
Often, when I write, the words just seem to flow
Today, I should have finished this at least six hours ago
It’s Mother’s Day, for goodness sake; I ought to take a rest
This isn’t an exam or an English language test!
I don’t know where the time has gone; it’s almost time for dinner
If this was a competition, I surely wouldn’t be the winner
The evening’s drawing in now, and soon it will be dark
I’m at the point of giving up, so s%d this for a lark!!
Photo by Yan Krukau: https://www.pexels.com
Essentially Ellie 
Allow me to say, if this was a competition you would definitely be the winner. Anyone that reads you work would agree with me. You my friend are very talented and please never forget that!!
Aww, thank you so much for such kind words, Alyssa. It always takes me so long to publish a piece as I never think it’s good enough. Thanks very much for the vote of confidence. I appreciate it a lot. Xx 💖
Trust me, I completely understand. I continue to second guess myself and my abilities with writing. I almost trashed the paper I have been working on for a writing competition because I said it was not good enough. I will always remind you how talented you are because I speak the truth!
You are so kind, my friend. I do know just how you feel, though. I’ve never been brave enough to enter a writing competition. I’m too nervous of being considered not up to standard. I hope you get your piece finished in time and sent off. You, too, deserve to win. I enjoy your writing and am always impressed that you manage to write something new nearly every day. Xx 💞
I mean everything I say and think you would do great in a writing competition. I am struggling with doing the one I am thinking about and even have completed mostly. I have no confidence in myself. I do appreciate you and your support. You are a very kind person and I am glad I have had a chance to get to know you!!!
You are so kind, my friend and I appreciate every word you say. I’ve never even attempted to write for a competition. I wish you lots of luck with your entry. I am cheering you on from the sidelines 👏👏👏. I, too, am glad we have met here. I enjoy reading your posts. Take care whatever you are doing today. Xx 💟
💜💜💜💜💜💜
Thanks, Sarah. X 💙💐💙
I can relate to this poem, Ellie. If I sleep late at night, which I often do, I wake up with a foggy brain and struggle with almost everything. I enjoyed reading this well-clomposed poem.💖
Thank you, Aaysid. I’m glad my poem made sense. I hope I get some better sleep tonight as I still have to get my coursework finished before Tuesday. I will catch up with your latest poem as soon as I can. Xx 💖
My pleasure. No worries, Ellie. You are too kind. I hope you’ll have a great week. ❤
I would imagine Mother’s Day might be a bit dis-regulating for you, making even the things you enjoy seem a little (or lot) harder. It certainly can be for me!
Thanks, David. Yes, it is rather. It has been a tough today. On top of which, I’ve just been scammed on FB! Sorry that it’s tough for you, too. X
Also, I never thought about the fact that the UK and US both celebrate Mother’s Day, but not on the same day! So thanks for that little perception shift!
My sister lives in Australia. They have Mother’s Day at a different time to me, too. Hope you’re okay.
It’s so frustrating when you want to write and just can’t! I’m so sorry….
Thanks, Ann. I find I don’t get anything else done when I’m determined to write. As it was, I wrote the poem but still need to get coursework done. I’ll start again tomorrow (hopefully, if I get some sleep, my brain will be more in gear). X
Hang in there! You’re a very talented writer!
Thank you so much, Ann. That’s very kind of you to say (I feel very humbled). Hope you are well today. X
What course are you doing?
I’m doing English Language and Creative Writing … and yet, I still get writer’s block! I really do enjoy my coursework, but I get very frustrated when I can’t produce anything I consider worthy.
I find the same with songs. Sometimes there is nothing, and then, click the idea comes. I no longer worry about it as I trust when the time comes, it will come. When it does…..the words.the melody, the rhythm, the instruments….for a couple of days the calm turns into a tornado….haha
I’m glad I’m not alone in my frustration sometimes. Are you a songwriter, then, Geoff? How lovely if you are. Do you play the instruments, and if so, what do you play?
Yes, I write songs when the inspiration comes. I sing and mostly play guitar but can also handle a few other instuments too. I have posted four songs on WordPress. Here is a link to the last one dedicated to the city of Lima. https://geoffbrown250533044.wordpress.com/2023/03/02/lima-a-love-song/
At the end of the post there are links to the other songs; Miracle Eyes, Moonlight, Gaviota. These were all put together in my little home studio. The posts include the words as-well as the link to video of the song which incude photos, combining my two passions. I’d be honoured if you could have a listen!
That’s great, Geoff. Thank you so much for the links to your songs. I will definitely have a listen, although it won’t be today as I’m trying to catch up on the coursework I didn’t get done yesterday. I’m looking forward to listening and watching the video, too. I’ve never been able to sing, at least not in tune! I did learn the piano when I was young, but that turned into a nightmare, which I have written about in the past. I no longer play as it’s too connected to awful memories. However, I do love to listen to other people playing instruments and singing along.
I cannot help you with synonyms, antonyms, homophones, etc. But I can help you with rhymes, if you haven’t done this already.
When I first started writing poetry, I went through the English dictionary and wrote down every letter or combination of letters that can start a word, or even a start a syllable. I wrote them on a sheet of paper vertically, and ended up with almost two columns of letter/combinations (including the “rh” in rhyme, and the “ti” in combination.)
Whenever I was stuck for a rhyme, or just unsatisfied with the one my mind jumped at, I would run down the whole list of possibilities and that would often give me more words or ending syllables to choose from. I even made a poem out of some of it. I called it “Any En.”
(Do you know of the poet/author Margaret Atwood? Her most famous book now is “The Handmaid’s Tale.”) Many years ago I was a student in a class she was teaching at university. She saw a few poems I had written and asked if she could see them. I said yes, and gave her about 10 of them. I was surprised when she asked if she could keep one. It was “Any En,” which I had written as a joke. If I can find it I will copy it below.
What good ideas you have, J., although that must have taken quite some time to do. I will definitely give that a try. It must help to broaden your vocabulary, too. That will be a bonus for me. I have heard of Margaret Atwood and “The Handmaid’s Tale.” You must have learned a lot from her about poetry, and it was great that she was interested in your poems. I don’t think I’ve seen any of your poems on WordPress have I? Certainly, not recently, I think. I would really love to read your “Any En” if you could post it for me below. I will look forward to reading it. Thanks 💙💜💙.
Any En
Any En
Aany Aen
Bany Ben
Cany Cen
Dany Den
Eany Een
Fany Fen
Gany Gen
Hany Hen
Iany Ien
Jany Jen
Kany Ken
Lany Len
Many Men
Nany Nen
Oany Oen
Pany Pen
Qany Qen
Rany Ren
Sany Sen
Tany Ten
Uany Uen
Vany Ven
Wany Wen
Xany Xen
Yany Yen
Zany Zen
Any En can lead Many Men
to Zany Zen
That’s quite impressive, J. How long did that take you to work out and write?
Never did any work. Just doodled, and once I realized what I was foing, I just continued on — which is how I write most anything I write, including comments. I just start writing, and my use takes over.
Meanwhile,…
Unfortunately Word Press does not publish all the proper spacing. When hand writt.en the columns of words are center justified , so the reader needs to use their imagination to shift everything a bit to the right, so the two columns are s.traight lines down, except for the title and the first line.
The poetry is in the fact of the 27 lines, only three, the 1st, the 14th middle line, and the last line make sense in English, and when brought together at the end actually become zen.
I was just diddling on paper one day because I could not write, and I started .making nonsense lines. But when I reached the end, I really had to wonder how something so abstract could.become something so amazing.
Ms Atwood loved it.
But really I learned nothing about poetry from her. The subject of the class was 50s and 60s Science Fiction. I set her up so she would see the poems, hoping to get her opinion and maybe help or tutorage. She shocked me by ignoring the actual poems, and picking out Any En for special attention. 😇 💔
I’m sorry. Writing is crazy. One day it flows, the next it flows as smoothly as mud. In any event, I like what you published. Let the frustration go and try another day. Happy Mother’s Day.
Thanks, Brian. I love your expression – it flows as smoothly as mud. That’s spot on. I’ll try again today. I’ve got to have my coursework handed in by tomorrow, so I will have to have another crack at it today. I’m hoping I’ll manage it.
You’ve got this!
Humor is your thing. I love these!!! Thanks keep going. Xoxo
Thank you very much, Selma. That’s kind of you. I’m glad you liked my poem. Xx 💖😘
Loved them. So glad how you use words. Keep going. XoXo
Thank you, Selma. I will do. My writing means the world to me. Xxx 💟🌼😘
A wonderful poem, Ellie💗
Thank you very much, Deeksha. That’s kind of you to say. Xx 💖
I can relate to it so much! When you want to write but life has other options ready for you🤦🏻
You have it spot on, Deeksha. It’s so annoying when that happens, isn’t it? Xx 💞
Oh absolutely! But you gotta do what you want😉
I think because it was “Mother’s day”, Ellie. That must have affected your soul even if your mind and body weren’t fully aware. When we’re hurting, it’s hard to “create content” and think clearly. I love that even though you were struggling to write – you still came up with a beautiful poem – about not knowing what to write. You’re super talented, Ellie. I’m super proud of you and I’m inspired by you to push through the hard days and keep writing. Sending you lots of love and warm hugs – especially to your cat…I hope she feels better soon xx
Thank you so much for your kind words and understanding, Janet. Yes, I think you might be right. I was aware that it was Mother’s Day and while some people were celebrating the day, I was missing my Mum and also getting frustrated at not being able to write what I originally planned to write. Thank you, too, for saying you were inspired by me (I’m very humbled) and for your much-needed love and hugs. I’ll let Peanut know, too. She seems a bit better today and she’s out in the garden this morning, which is a good sign. Many hugs 🤗 for you, my dear friend, and much love to you, also. Xxx 💖💐💝
Your rhymes are good, Ellie. They flow well.
Thanks very much, Mick. That’s reassuring to know. I’m always torn between pressing the Publish button or the Trash button. It takes me hours after I’ve written something to find the courage to post it. Mostly, a lack of confidence and being self-critical, I think.
I know what you mean, Ellie. Quite often I dither over whether to post something then think ‘oh, what the hell!’ and just press the button.
Great honest piece Ellie, we all get stuck from time to time, perfection becoming the foe of practice, just throw it out there !
Thanks, Andy. It’s so frustrating when I get stuck, and yet, when I do, I find myself writing about not being able to write! Where’s the sense in that 🙃? I am a perfectionist, and you’re right, sometimes that can go against us.
I always love your poetry and this one is no exception 😊👏
Thank you so much, Vidah. That’s very kind of you to say. Xx 🥰
Beautiful poem that I can so relate to! As always, I love the approach to not being able to write by simply writing. May the words flow, Ellie! ❤
Thank you so much for reading, Layla, and for being so encouraging, too. Sometimes, when I can’t find the words, the simplest of rhymes fall out almost all by themselves. Xx 💖
This is getting to be your most frequent topic. I’m right there with you. So many times I want to spend time writing but I just don’t know what to write about. This is how I use my journal now. I’ll just start talking about my day. Half (most) of the time it turns into a full-up story. The rest of the time… well, I guess it’s good practice. My 1 month writing class ends tonight. I need to find a different motivator. This has been a fairly prolific month for me. I’m envious of you city-folk. So many options!
I think you could be right, Jeff. I’ve lapsed with my journal this week. I need to get back into it – and my daily gratitude list, too. Sometimes, when I don’t know what to write about, I start writing about the feelings I have around being unable to write – the frustration, the annoyance, what I could be doing instead etc. Sometimes, nothing comes of it, but lately, something has found its way from my sometimes seemingly pea-sized brain onto the paper/screen 😶. Do you write by hand or straight onto your laptop? I type as I think. I reckon, with the number of times I get writer’s block, I’m going to quickly run out of original things to write,
With your writing course ending, have you considered doing an online (Zoom) class? That way, you could look further afield. That’s what I’ve been doing for months now. It’s helpful, although I’m not great at being critiqued or giving critique, either, not even from behind my screen.
Perhaps, after your visit to the Death Cafe, you could write about your experience there—just a thought.
I do all of my writing on my laptop. I Sort of assumed everyone did, but in my class, I was the only one out of seven who broke out a laptop to write on the prompts. And when people read their work in class, it was all hand written. In truth, I made me feel a bit pretentious to be using my laptop and reading from typed material, but every sentence I write gets edited. I think it would be almost impossible for me to hand write something. I hope the death cafe offers something interesting to write about. Because it’s my workplace, I’m a little hamstrung on what I can write. I won’t be able to criticize or write about any of the other people.
Ellie, the fact that you write even about not being able to write is something, don’t sell yourself short. Any poet can identify with this, I know I have had many times where I was frustrated with a piece, or couldn’t think of a subject. These doldrums are always temporary.
Thank you, Brian. It’s very frustrating when that happens, isn’t it? I always have the dilemma of knowing whether to press the publish button or the trash button. I am not really confident with my writing even though it may seem so. Hope you’re having a good day so far.
I think I mentioned Sylvia Plath’s poem about writers block called “Stillborn”. Right along the lines of yours in meaning.
Yes, I remember that, Brian. I looked it up and read at the time. I might read it again later or tomorrow. I’m out all evening tonight and have been out all day, too. I’m way behind on blog reading. I will try to catch up with your latest posts sometime in the next few days, as I have my son and the children staying from tomorrow until Friday.
“So shit this for a lark” 😂😂😂😂 Brilliant! Seriously, you are very talented. I’m sorry you had such a torturous time of it on Sunday. I agree with your own advice that’s so hard to take, that sometimes you need to let up and give yourself a break. Easier said than done, especially when there’s something you really need to get done, like coursework. So often now I can’t write, even emails. I can spend hours back and forth writing absolute crap and trying to push myself when nothing is going right at all. It takes so much longer than it should but I force it anyway because I’m so behind and I want things done. It’s always a mistake. I’m not saying that’s the case for you necessarily but please do go gentle with yourself. You’re fabulous and you’re tired and your brain might need a little TLC when the words are getting out the way the should. Sending love,
Caz xxxx
Hi, Caz. I’m so sorry for the late reply. I’ve been so busy lately and have, as usual, got all behind with blog and comment reading. I think I currently have 95 email notifications in my inbox, all of which need attending to!
I’m so glad you liked my poem and for your kind words. I get so frustrated when I want to write and can’t. It’s like the will and passion are there, but my mind won’t compute, if you know what I mean. I think I’ve written three or more ‘writer’s block’ posts now! I’m glad you can understand how that feels, although I wouldn’t wish it on you – it’s just so blooming annoying, isn’t it? I’m also doing a writing course and have a heap load of coursework to do every week. I seem to spend my entire life on my laptop, not that I’m complaining. I love writing even when I can’t write straight away. I suppose it’s no wonder I’m so tired. I know I need to pace myself, but I don’t and am my own worst enemy sometimes.
How are you doing, healthwise? I hope you haven’t been in too much pain lately, although I know it’s an ongoing thing for you, and I really feel for you. I’m very fortunate as, although I have my disability which brings its own issues and difficulties, I rarely have pain. I’m thankful for that. Disability, I can cope with as I’m so used to it, but pain really gets to you, I realise that. I’m thinking of writing a post about life being disabled. It’s just a vague idea at the moment as I have other ideas up my sleeve, which might need dealing with first. I’ll see. Sending much love to you, and healing, caring hugs. Xxx 💖💐💝
I know this poem was after a hard day, but I rather liked it. The rhythm and rhymes were really enjoyable and highly relatable!
Thank you so much, Bridgette. I’m glad you enjoyed it and could relate to it. It’s so frustrating when you really want to write but can’t find the right words. I’m not quite sure how I managed to write this; I think I just let my thoughts wander until they formed written patterns in my mind. Hope you are well today, and I am thinking of you and your daughter as always. I meant to say yesterday, on your post about your daughter, that my 16-year-old granddaughter has been diagnosed as having something called Purely Obsessional OCD, which means her thoughts are obsessive and often dark or troubling, and this reoccurs throughout her days. It’s not the classic ‘hand washing’ OCD. Like you, we are waiting for her name to get to the top of the NHS list to get some help and support. My daughter is finding it very difficult to cope with and to see her daughter struggle so much with this. Clare talks to me a lot about my granddaughter and is needing a lot of support at the moment. Sending you much love, my friend. Xx 💝
I’m so sorry to hear about your granddaughter. I’m sending her and your daughter my love as you navigate a difficult diagnosis and hopefully find ways to make the thoughts less intrusive for her. Your daughter is lucky to have you to lean on❤️
Thank you for sending love, my friend. I know that you understand what my daughter and granddaughter are going through. I will pass your love on to her when we speak tomorrow. The mental health system is pretty appalling over here and even then, there is such a long waiting list. We are hoping she will be given some help before too long. My daughter knows about my previous mental health issues, so I think that’s why she feels she can talk to me. Hugs Xx 💟
Hi
So beautiful and lovely write ✍️ you poem. So lovely words written in. You have to lots knowledge & experience. You are so talented.
God bless you!
Thank you so much for your kind words, rajkkhoja. I’m glad you enjoyed reading my post and for your generous words. Take care Xx 🌻.
You are most welcome, Ellie you like my poor comments. Iam glad!
I hope you feel better soon
Please take good care
and
congratulations on 600 followers
Thank you, Devang. I am fine today, but thank you for asking. I didn’t realise I’d reached 600 followers today as I wasn’t notified by WP. I’m interested to know where you saw this. I’ve just checked my stats, but there is nothing mentioned there. Strange. 600 isn’t a lot compared to many other bloggers considering I’ve been blogging for nearly nine years. My blog was very different when it first started out; I am in a much better place these days. I will take care, thank you 😊.
It’s easy for me to see
As
A reader I can see it ☺️
So congratulations. Happy for you.
As for 600, I would like to read some of your earlier blogs.
Please take care of your health.
Sending you some positive vibes