The Procrastinating Poet

[David Campbell]

The Procrastinating Poet

I’m a dedicated poet, and yet when it’s time to show it
I can always find there’s something else to do.
I procrastinate and dither, let my inspiration wither
on the vine instead of writing something new.
I will while away the hours and use all my mental powers
to avoid the homework Maureen sets for us,
so instead of getting to it I’ll say “Someone else will do it,
and, besides, I think my metre’s rather suss!”

And when Neil is out there pleading for the poems that he’s needing
for the magazine I’ll simply look away;
though I’ve got a good idea, I’m afraid it’s none too clear,
but I’ll write it pretty soon…just not today.
I’m too busy to be writing, and there must be more exciting
things to occupy my very precious time
when I have an extra minute than to sit down and begin it,
for I’ve better stuff to do than play with rhyme.

And if poetry is dying I will shake my head while sighing
that it’s sad to see a great tradition fall.
I’ll debate the whys and wherefores, all the maybes and the therefores,
and I’ll wonder how on earth we dropped the ball.
I will look for all the reasons…perhaps poetry has seasons,
and with winter now approaching it grows cold…
if so, time will resurrect it, in the meantime I’ll neglect it,
and return one day before I get too old.

© David 17/03/14

Friday March 21 is World Poetry Day. Start writing!

[Neville Briggs]

I plead guilty, Your Honour.

[Stephen Whiteside]

Personally, I blame Glenny for talking to you about her keyhole the way she did. How can any red-blooded bloke be expected to concentrate on writing poetry after that?

[Maureen K Clifford]

Aaaaargh maybe it's the term Homework that instills such negativity - none of us liked doing it at school did we?

Perhaps if we were to rename it David you wouldn't run away? I'd hate to have to set lines

Mind you for some one who claims to procrastinate when you do get your ducks in a row it's pretty impressive - I like your dedication to procrastination, your dissemination on the subject shows a degree of sophistication.

[Bob Pacey]

ok Mausie how about a collaborative poem again as well as homework.


Bob

[alongtimegone]

Take some time out to go fishing David. A very procrastinating way to spend a few hours.
Also ... congratulations on your Yass Comp. results with "Flight" and "Floodtide".
Cheers wazza

[David Campbell]

Thanks, Wazza, and congratulations on your Swagman as well. Sadly, the only thing I ever caught while fishing was a cold.

Yep, Maureen, I'm so dedicated to procrastination that I'm going to do some more of it...tomorrow.

Well, Stephen, they say that writing is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration...Glenny provided something of both!

Pedal to the metal, Neville!

Cheers
David

[Maureen K Clifford]

Great idea Bob - I love those -you wan't to start one? I'm in