The Poems I Never Wrote

I have pages of unfinished poems, most a menial scribble.
Thoughts, simple phrases, baited hooks without a nibble.
Rhyming lines lost like balls because of my faulty dribble
or tossed aside because my muse and I began to quibble.

How many romantic sonnets were derelicts in my head
because I didn't note them; too lazy to rise from my bed?
Unwritten, they expired when from my mind they fled.
In dawn's light they were buried as my tears were shed.

Departed is the beauty of verses that might have been,
and if I'm recognized as a 'poet,' I would consider it a sin.
I can hardly bear their death; executed like Anne Boleyn,
and its shame I feel for the loss. I'm riddled with chagrin.

I wish those phrases had burrowed deep inside my mind,
those I no longer recall. The forsaken ones I left behind,
abandoned unintentionally, those I have hastily maligned
with neglect or passivity. To grieve for them, I am resigned.

Should I pen a plethora of poems and ten thousand more,
my guilt would never be erased, so I write this with candor
and a pledge to face this litany that I undertake as a chore,
to value my flowing thoughts as ones I should never ignore.

October 7th, 2022
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Krutsinger Avatar
October 21, 2022 at 2:25 AM
Truly lovely! You have said what many feel. Last night I ran to AP and tried to get all of my poems that were 9.4 and above to a 10 on AP's autorank. I am proud to say I turned up 11 of them to the 10 mark. Silly but we have to challenge ourselves - each poem you write seems to challenge you a bit further. You have such an amazing talent Jenna!
M  Avatar
October 7, 2022 at 9:05 PM
Another amazing Jenna Logan poem i have to say! Lovely….lDebx
Logan Avatar
October 8, 2022 at 2:51 AM
You didn't have to say it, but I'm honored that you did. Thank you, Deb.
Hankins Avatar
October 7, 2022 at 4:16 PM
An exceptional poem, Jenna. I think you have captured the essence of the lost poem so well. Good luck in the contest.
Logan Avatar
October 7, 2022 at 6:26 PM
Thanks a lot, Milt. I really do feel guilty for not finishing so many and for losing those I failed to note.
Parker Avatar
October 7, 2022 at 1:07 PM
Indeed our best work never sees the light of day. You are an amazing poet (certainly top 5 on Soup). A pleasure to engage your work. Thanks for posting this marvelous poem, JL. :o)
Logan Avatar
October 7, 2022 at 6:22 PM
Arlo, I am deeply humbled by your complimentary remarks on my poetic efforts. Thank you so very much for your supportive voice.
Kyser Avatar
October 7, 2022 at 11:36 AM
Next, we need to do “the poems I never should have written.” I expect I have more atoning to do there, lol.
Logan Avatar
October 7, 2022 at 11:41 AM
lol Jeff. I'm afraid if I tried to count those, they'd fill a tome of their own.
Kavanagh  Avatar
October 7, 2022 at 11:33 AM
Brilliant Jenna, you have atoned for your crimes against unfinished poems, and henceforth acquitted of all blame and culpability, the final stanza kicks ass big time, way to go girl, cheers David
Logan Avatar
October 7, 2022 at 11:40 AM
Hi David. Thanks ever so much for the gift of atonement after reading my contrition. Love your 'kicks ass' comment. Hugs!!
Slaughter Avatar
October 7, 2022 at 11:19 AM
Jenna, I suspect you're in excellent company as far as having scads of pads and notebooks filled with bits and pieces of never finished verses. I know I certainly have a cabinet full of them. This is a really excellent piece. Are you going to enter it in the Poems I Never Wrote contest?
Logan Avatar
October 8, 2022 at 7:06 PM
That's a good idea. Ya never know when a thought strikes and some of them can be salvaged.
Slaughter Avatar
October 8, 2022 at 10:20 AM
Me, too, Jenna. I go through them from time to time to see if something else will tweak me and/or my muse into giving them another shot.
Logan Avatar
October 7, 2022 at 11:38 AM
Hi Jim and thank you for your encouraging remarks. I've entered it in Craig's contest. It may not seem like it, but he stated that the contest name, nor his needed to appear. I believe he has me blocked, so we shall see how it fares. We all have a sort of 'dead letter' file of unfinished poems. Makes me want to pull them out and try to resuscitate them. How about you?
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