Writing a Poem

This is what I need to write – A pencil and a pad And someplace where the background noise Won’t drive me almost mad. Of course I need a topic Which will get my brain in gear Or else from my surroundings, Inspiration may appear. The first line leaps like lightning From the pencil to the page. The rest proceeds more slowly As the thoughts and rhymes engage. But the ending, ah the ending Is the toughest nut to crack, The point where many chuck it all And let the words go slack. So oftentimes I’ll read my poem Again and yet again Until I find a way to end And then I’ll say – amen!