Balancing the Books

If syllables were billable

And rhyme were punched in time,

Then poets would fill every phrase

With words to bring chips’ chime.

We’d mark the meter, count the clock,

And measure every sign.

Alas, the metaphor dissolves

Upon the bottom line.

c2018 by Linda Ann Nickerson

Image:

Theme art – adapted from public domain image

Still from Suspicion, 1941

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Time for Timeout

The docket today is a troublesome tease,

A tenuous tying by tension of ease.

The total? A touchpoint from A’s down to Z’s.

Would someone just put me in timeout? Oh, please!

It’s hurry and wait, and get on with the show.

I might have to pout. I have tantrums to throw.

My fingers on keyboard have miles to go.

But fresh new ideas? They have yet just to flow.

I might have to stop, sigh, and sit for a spell.

But idling is nothing I do rather well.

My thinking cap’s tilted; hold on, clientele.

The concepts will hatch when I step from the shell.

c2017 by Linda Ann Nickerson

Image:

Adapted by this user from vintage artwork.

This poem was posted in response to these prompts:

April A to Z Blog Challenge

National Poetry Writing Month / NaPoWriMo

Meme Express: “touchpoint”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday: “spell”

#atozchallenge

#napowrimo

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Write On: A Poetic Knock at Writer's Block

(From my poetry archives)

Write On: A Poetic Knock at Writer’s Block 

Writer’s block is

a looming nightmare;

You sit at the terminal,

and you just stare.

But you can prevent this

       from coming your way.

You simply must write

something every day.

A contest or deadline

       will cause you to move,

To look for a topic,

to get in your groove.

Perhaps you will try

a new topic and see

You’re an expert on anything;

        Then you’re home free!

Perhaps you’ll wake up

            in the wee morning hours

And find your veins coursing

with creative powers;

You’ll stumble downstairs

and start typing off steam

Until you have polished

and published your dream.

Just don’t be afraid

 of the dreaded white space.

Fill it up quickly,

with no time to waste.

Once you are rolling,

you’ll change and revise,

As your masterpiece grows,

right in front of your eyes.

You might write a poem,

 a story or song;

Or draft a report,

be it shorter or long.

Just keep those keys tapping,

      and soon you will find

You’ll write like a fiend,

      wholly out of your mind!

c2007 by Linda Ann Nickerson

Image/s: 

Pixabay public domain photo

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