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I'M Just Getting Started

I try to be a poet worth his salt
who daily prods his muse, urging it 
to offer up a cogent phrase or 
heartfelt rhyme, but then instead

I slump in vacuous stupor, devoid
of verse, for hours and hours,
sitting all alone before an
ancient, worn-out, writing desk.  

A pen lies still upon its surface— 
marred by those who suffered
once to summon hidden masterpiece,
urging its memorable existence. 

My page is blank, as I ponder
Shakespeare, Poe, Wordsworth 
and Dickinson, among the many 
great and silent others. 

Who like me, once sat bemused 
before an empty sheet. It was then 
I realized, that I am just like them!
And I’m just getting started.

September 23, 2019

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Brenda Chiri

Date: 10/28/2019 5:20:00 AM

Beautifully written! You still amaze me my dear friend even though it seems like ages!;) oh wait it has! Lol! Well glad to see your still stunning all with the beauty in your words!;)

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/26/2019 11:36:00 AM

Brenda, you are so kind, generous and supportive with your remarks. A true friend...of considerable skill, besides. Best to you and manifold cogent verses in the new year.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/19/2019 10:28:00 PM

Enjoyed every word and line of this one, Mark. I especially like how you turned such a bleak feeling into a positive motivator, and how well you fit it into the theme of the contest... And finally, as an Emily Dickinson super-fan(!), I am gratified to see her mentioned with the likes of Shakespeare and Wordsworth, with whom she certainly belongs in the same sentence and breath. Kudos! Best wishes, Gershon

Mark Peterson
Date: 10/28/2019 4:20:00 PM

An amazing comment, my friend. I am so glad you enjoyed it. Now I must sample yours!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/1/2019 3:34:00 PM

you took that theme to such an inspired place, Mark. All I could think to do was humor,but I ended up not doing it at all. Good for you. I see you won this contest. Congratulations.

Mark Peterson
Date: 10/4/2019 4:54:00 PM

So glad you enjoyed it, Andrea. Thanks for leaving a few morsels for the rest to snack on now and then. Otherwise, I suppose we’d just simply starve since you’re the best.

Jeanne Mcgee

Date: 9/24/2019 8:40:00 PM

Wrestling with our muse...or just waiting for her to inspire...patience is necessary! Wonderful write Mark. Congrats.

Mark Peterson
Date: 10/2/2019 7:47:00 PM

Thanks for reminding me to be patient! I’ll give it a try and get back to you in a year or two. Anyway, thanks for taking notice of my poem.

Sandra Adams

Date: 9/24/2019 7:24:00 PM

fickle muse often come up with great poetry when they decide to sing...great poem...enjoyed this one, congrats on your win :) hugs

Mark Peterson
Date: 10/2/2019 7:43:00 PM

Sandra, delightful response and thoroughly in line with my own thinking. Best of luck with your work.

Line Gauthier

Date: 9/24/2019 3:03:00 PM

Bravo, Mark. Lovely poem. Congrats on your win.

Mark Peterson
Date: 10/2/2019 7:40:00 PM

Hey, Line, thanks so much for your positive remarks—my first Premier contest.

Lonna Blodgett

Date: 9/24/2019 2:11:00 PM

Aha! And yet we continue to play with our muse. Love this Mark! Lonna

Mark Peterson
Date: 10/2/2019 7:35:00 PM

My muse is fickle and takes long vacations. I think I’ll start taking credit for my work. Whatever, I’m grateful for those, such as yourself, who offer support for my work. ThanksA