How Do Writers Do It? Poem by Denis Martindale

How do they get such great verses?
Or rhymes that scintillate?
Like some actor who rehearses,
Till everything looks great?
Or one coaxes, holds and nurses,
To reach some higher state?
Does the Lord grant tender mercies,
Or destiny, or fate?

How do they get such great ideas?
Do they sit down and wait?
Do they just empty all their fears
And simply ruminate?
Do they take note of all their peers,
Some skills to imitate?
Do they mull over their past years,
For some tales to create?

This thing I know, a gifted soul
Is driven by his art,
His words fall under his control,
His message to impart...
Each writer strives towards his goal
And chooses how to start,
Then fashions thoughts to fill the hole
Within the human heart...


Denis Martindale,12 March 2016.