Grasping at ghosts

Day 12: 'write a poem that addresses itself or some aspect of its self (i.e., “Dear Poem,” or “what are my quatrains up to?”; “Couplet, come with me . . .”) This might seem a little “meta” at first, or even kind of cheesy. But it can be a great way of interrogating (or at least, asking polite questions) of your own writing process and the motivations you have for writing, and the motivations you ascribe to your readers.'

Grasping at Ghosts

Dear plain white page, waiting for ink
You'll have to allow me some time to think,
To come up with appropriate rhythm and rhyme
I don't speak like this most of the time. 
It's only when something has grabbed my attention
And I need to capture it,  to aid its retention 
To grab it, unpick it, give it some shape
To pin it down quickly,  before it escapes.
It's like grasping at ghosts, trying to see in the dark, 
Coaxing, cajoling damp tinder to spark.
And what is it for? Not fortune or fame,
But for someone to think - yes! I feel the same!

© Copyright 2023. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved.


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