Making Inspiration Poem by Mary Champion

Finding the right ingredients…

Silence or sweet music?
Intrigue or apathy?
Agony or ecstasy?
Beauty or ugliness?
Love!
Love lost?
Love found?
Hate!
Hate him?
Hate them?
Hate me?
Nature or contrivance?
Religious fervour or existential angst?

Should I work at it,
or think about something else?
Think about nothing?
Do nothing?
Do something boring?

Should a rely on serendipity -
a snatch of conversation
a chance remark,
a familiar phrase
that suddenly takes on a deeper meaning?

Should I forget about it altogether?
Go for a walk?
Ring a friend?
Ask the audience?
Have a warm bath?
Have a cold shower?
Sleep on it and dream the first lines?

Inspiration!
Take as much as you have
of whatever you have to hand,
mix thoroughly,
bring to the boil over a moderate to high heat,
allow to simmer for however long,
season to taste
and serve immediately.