There are those days, when I don’t wish to write prose. When as soon as I try to compose stately sentences that march cleanly across the page and down between the margins, the pen starts dancing to its own music, doing a jive, coming alive
to something else inside me.
Look, see,
it’s happening again,
this pen has a mind of its own,
thinks its home is center stage
makes no difference how
I might rage, It simply
continues.
(sigh)
So, we’ll try this again, but I can already feel coming bend, curve up ahead, instead of
straight line
I intended. Wanted to speak of what silence can wreak
how it is used to punish
a wish to express,
stop forward progress
sometimes
derailing it
altogether.
Guess I must give in, with slightly thinned grin,
let it have its way
as it means
to sway down
this page,
taking whatever stage
I afford it.
This tool has a lip
that constantly drips
over all well-inspired intentions,
refocusing route in a spouting
shout, mingled with whispers and cries
gone unmentioned.
But,
I’m in control
must cease it wholly through steel of will and determined
concentration. Only to find a distinct peace of mind, knowledge found in unbound truth that silence
has been silenced
again.
Elizabeth Crawford 11/07/2008
Posted in Poetry Pantry at Poets United (1/27/13)
http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/
1sojournal 
When I took a “look, see,” I found a word person! This piece makes me smile…Love it.
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I saw her too. As a matter of fact, I talk to her quite often,lol.
Elizabeth
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forgot to tell you here: good image, great tension, rythym, tone. Love this poem
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So glad you do. I don’t think I’ve ever had a better time writing anything. Or, maybe I should say, watching myself chase after words that were definitely playing tag with this old woman, leaving her in the dust with only the sound of their giggling laughter to follow. Letting her catch up for a moment’s hug then running off again. It was sheer unadulterated fun.
Elizabeth
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The words I write are always going off at a tangent… funny how they do that. 🙂
Well, I hope that you follow those tangents on occasion, they can be an absolute unlooked for delight, filled with information you might miss, otherwise. Just like the poem above, that really pleases me no end, and made me laugh all the while it wrote itself.
Elizabeth
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love your way of looking at the world,
beautiful job.
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Thank you Jingle, I appreciate that.
Elizabeth
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Glad your pen decided to dance! Enjoyed the show 🙂
Am pleased that you enjoyed it, I certainly had fun writing it,
Elizabeth
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The line about the slightly thinned grin has a wonderful rhythm to it, and the way you express steely determination at the end also works well. I know how you feel….
This was written quite a while ago, but I can still remember how much fun I had composing it right here on the page. Or, should I say, watching it appear one word at a time? Thanks for reading and commenting,
Elizabeth
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Yes – this is a wonderful game of word tag and I too find myself smiling – Delightful!
Thank you Pearl, glad you enjoyed it,
Elizabeth
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Excellent fun. My muse often refuses to do as it’s told, too. I usually give in.
Have to give in Anthony, or risk becoming just plain boring, don’t you think? Glad you enjoyed,
Elizabeth
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I really like this poem. Like- I’m considering writing it down somewhere so that I will have it forever. That’s how much. Good job!
Thanks Charleen, I’m going to take your comment to my kudo box and keep it safe for future days. Love it,
Elizabeth
PS Make a copy of it, that’s fine by me.
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I love the pen with the mind of its own thinking its home is center stage. As it rightfully should be! Love your poetry, Elizabeth. It is always good when your silence has been silenced…and your poetry flows across a page.
Thank you very much, Mary, for those very generous words. BTW, there’s a picture of my own butterfly child on this site, listed under the banner as “Self Portrait”.
Elizabeth
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I love this! Sometimes when we are fortunate that pen just takes off. 😉
When it dances, one must dance with it. Thanks for stopping by Judy,
Elizabeth
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pen does seem to have its own mind, or at least inner compass and what’s a soul to do but follow? I really enjoyed your poem.
As I enjoyed your words about trees, and your beautiful photos as well. Thanks for visiting,
Elizabeth
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The muse has a mind of her own! And in this case, you did well to hand the pen over to her!! The use of the word dancing delighted me! I Should Have « Wabi Sabi Poet.
I am an old woman who can no longer dance, except on paper. Thank you for your comment,
Elizabeth
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Now this was such an enjoyable read to have with a late morning coffee! I love how the words take control. How the form gets dictated by the images and thoughts. Can’t help but think that this is a great example urging writers to “go with the flow”.
This blog site was originally dedicated to encouraging others to getting on the page and staying there. As such, you are right as to what it is really all about. That and the fact that I find a great deal of pleasure and fun in writing, lol. Thanks for reading and commenting,
Elizabeth
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This is so enjoyable to read and identify with. And I love almost as much your wonderful comment, about how the words run off giggling…………this looks fantastic on the page too, as you grapple with two forms vying for the upper hand. This is a delight! Have I told you lately how wonderful it is to see you in the Pantry? we missed you! Glad you’re back.
And have I told you lately how glad I am to be back? I love the Pantry because it allows me to dig out these old pieces that never saw much sunlight. Thanks so much, my friend, for just being you,
Elizabeth
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LOL~!
One cannot argue with the muse or inspiration. One must simply go along for the ride.
I have enjoyed and appreciated your presence on Tumblr, but shut down my site there. So happy to be reading you again, Elizabeth.
Thank you Kim, for your comments and for that beautiful tribute you created today.
Elizabeth
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Excellent personification! I also enjoyed how you tucked rhymes throughout.
Writing can definitely get away from the writer, I agree…
Following the words is always a choice, one I enjoy. Thanks for reading and commenting,
Elizabeth
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