How Long Does It Take You? Poem by Denis Martindale

How long does it take you to write, to get a poem done?
Must it take a day and a night before the battle's won?
Must it take a month or longer? Oh, no, that's not my way.
As I feel a poem's stronger if written that same day.
That's why it won't depart from me until I've done my part,
Until I've shared that poetry outpouring from my heart.
I won't give up until I'm through, that's just the way it is.
Determinedly I share my view… no matter hit or miss.
Since not all poem's strike a chord with readers far and wide,
Nor stand deserving of reward, despite the fact I tried.
But if sometimes a poem shines like all God's stars above,
Then that, to me, just underlines, my efforts proved enough.
To fashion phrases, from each thought, to edit here and there,
When passion places words I've caught on lines that once stood bare.
And sequences combine in prose, a string of pearls to hold,
As dainty as a Summer's rose declared as good as gold.
To me, the poet must press on, else inspiration leaves,
So I must write before it's gone, as one who still receives.
So bid me time to pen each word, to edit and to plan.
That I might write what just occurred as only this man can.


Denis Martindale 26th of February 2020.

This new poem took me 30 minutes
and 15 minutes for further editing.