Ars Poetica by B. Elizabeth Beck

Writer's Block (Go Around) by John Lackey, 2010.

Ars Poetica- “Writer’s Block (Go Around)”

I will, John Lackey,
I will (go around)
because words pool within
my mind and stones catch
ideas I want to hold between
my teeth. So, instead I gnaw
on the end of my pen not waiting
for the flow. I will accept
a trickle/force scribbles
even when leaves clog autumnal
memories, I will cough/sputter
nonsense (around and around)
on the page until the dam
bursts and ideas flood.

Poets need to walk barefoot
in Kentucky rivers and suffer/risk
toes whitened/wrinkled if only (just)
to feel/shock the senses because
writing is not (just) a senseless task
even as I wonder what I’m really
doing with my time borrowed
against the ticking of the clock
behind my left shoulder.
I have no choice but to (go around).

B. Elizabeth Beck

 This poem is from B. Elizabeth Beck's manuscript, Painted Daydreams. The writer, artist and teacher is the author of two poetry books, and founder of central Kentucky's Teen Howl Poetry Series. She lives in Lexington, Kentucky.