In this time of lockdowns and isolation, the prompt reminded me of a poem I wrote several years ago, about a would be writer with writer’s block. He’s in a very negative frame of mind, unable to find or see anything worthy of writing about. He calls on the muse to help him and they go for a walk. This is an abridged version, the original was called, ‘None so Blind as a Horse to Water.’ Alternatively, you could call it ‘Spot the Poem.’
I strolled with the muse and took the less travelled path. A poppy-eyed fiend stood ranting on a sailor’s torments at sea, probably collecting for charity and a chap in a clearing championed writing about a wasteland.
There’s nothing there!
Wearying, I would’ve sat down but for the daffodils covering the ground and the loon babbling about burning tigers. Another, demanded to go to the sea again and there on the beach a Walrus and a man named Lear, proposed writing nonsense.
More nonsense?
So, if I should die, think only this of me, I tried to write some decent poetry.
PHOTO PROMPT © Jeff Arnold
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Michael Wynn 
A cornucopia of literary references. Where’s Wally?
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Thanks Neil, have you seen the 2020 version of Where’s Wally doing the rounds. It’s Wally standing on his own. I found it amusing but perhaps you have to see it. 🙂
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To plagiarise or not to plagiarise?
I think Shakespeare said that
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It was some geezer like that. Thanks
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Dear Michael,
The time has come, the Walrus said…Love your proetry. 😉 And the last verse is the proverbial cherry on top.
Stay well and be in shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle, you and your stay well too. It looks like we could be with this for a while yet
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Great mash-up. Enjoyed that.
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Thank-you Anthony
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Excellent Michael, all that inspiration hiding in plain sight!
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Thanks Iain, yes he’ll never write anything until he opens his eyes
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I loved this, Michael!
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Thanks Dale
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I loved the literary references, Michael. a very clever way to draw on that baffling entity of the Muse! Great stuff
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Thank-you, I pleased you enjoyed it
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Oh, you clever clogs, you! Enjoyed that. 🙂
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks Susan
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Alice in Wonderland came to mind as I read your poem. Mish-mashes can be some of the best reading fun. I enjoyed reading this chapter of it.
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Thank-you very much
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You’re welcome.
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Now, THAT’S poetry I can enjoy 🙂
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Great, thank-you very much
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A very clever piece. I enjoyed identifying the relevant pieces.
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Thanks Sandra, I tried cramming in as many as possible
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Such a clever piece. So many references in 100 words – fantastic!
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Thank-you, Clare
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This is a great time for writing, and you did not disappoint.
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Thank-you Mike
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Now that would look good on the gravestone 🙂
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I hadn’t thought about that but I think your right, thanks for reading, Draliman
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My muse never gets that literary. This was very enjoyable, and it’s a great take on what makes a writer.
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Thank you very much. I’m pleased you enjoyed it.
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What fun! Next week you will be hunting snarks in some far corner of a foreign field amid a host of daffodils.
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Yes, that would be fun, we might even meet Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Thanks for commenting.
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That was a fun one.
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Thank you
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You really strolled with a muse, what an exciting adventure. Count me in next time. Well penned.
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Thank you, so much to see but he missed it all.
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The muse is mysterious. Loved the first line.
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Thank you, although I can’t take credit for most of the lines in this as they are filched from classic poems, the second part of the first line is from Robert Frost
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Enjoyed the way you pulled from so many greats, then responded with there’s nothing there! Sometimes the good stuff is hard to see.
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Yes, Russell we need to look closely, it’s all out there to reap. Thanks for commenting
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Oh I think that is the muse that whispered to the librarian as well. So many great references, must have been the cruelest month of April I think
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Ha, yes Bjorn, perhaps I should have waited until April to post it, that would have been another reference. Thanks
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A very creative piece of poetry. I enjoyed it very much. I needed that muse the last couple of weeks. Hope you and yours stay safe!
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Thanks Brenda, so far we’re all safe. Glad you enjoyed it
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Oh fabulous! This was thoroughly entertaining!
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Thank you Laurie, I’m pleased you liked it
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