It’s been a while since I’ve posted and I know some of you wonder if I’ve perished from the earth. Not really, but I just haven’t had any inspiring thoughts or events lately that would interest my readers. Maybe it’s my boring life, or my inherent laziness or the sobering fact that I am a literary lightweight. In any case, I feel like I should at least reach out to you in some fashion. Usually, when my mind goes blank for subjects to talk about, I can still come up with some poetry (rhyme really, so as not to demean the real poets among you) to further my blog efforts. That is what I am going to do here. The subject: writer’s block, what else?
Robert William Service 1874-1958
For those of you who are interested, lately I have enjoyed writing poems in the style of Robert Service, also known in literary circles as the “people’s poet.” His style, though not well accepted in the elite levels of poetic enclaves, is one of “rhyme within a rhyme”. You might want to read one of his most acclaimed poems “The Cremation of Sam McGee” if you get the chance. It is a charming tale of a displaced southerner who finds himself in the cold climes of the Yukon. It deals with his dying wish. Quite a humorous twist at the end.
Anyway, back to my latest effort:
Though I think and I try, the ink is all dry, that word well seems to be spent,
I want to regale you, but more often I fail you, as my wit has got up and went.
It’s been many a week, that my writing’s been bleak, as phrases no longer appear,
But I hope you still follow, though the blog has been hollow, because losing you is my fear.
So, I offer this rhyme, just to fill in some time, and to let you know I’ll endeavor,
To keep up your trust, as I work through the rust, and once again become clever.
Blogging’s been fun, and I’m still far from done, but this dry spell has me perplexed,
And try as I might, it’s been too long a blight, I’ve never before felt so vexed.
Just why my wryness, has turned into dryness, is something I don’t understand
But I won’t post some drivel, or something uncivil, for the sake of not being bland.
I’ll look to the future, with hopes I can suture, this wound of my delicate psyche,
And come up with a post, that my readers will toast, and say “that’s his best one, by crikey!”
The Cvillean 
I’m sure you are many things, Al, but bland isn’t one of them.
Great fun 🙂
Bland would be silly, so says my Tilly, she knows me too well now, me thinks
So to earn this nice praise, I will try to amaze, by not posting a comment that stinks.
It mustn’t be bitter, but perfectly fit her, to appeal to her humorous side,
‘Cause we constantly banter, and this I will grant her, she takes all my nonsense in stride!
Al, you’re the best
At writing a jest
You passed my strict test
I laughed in my chest
I say all this lest
You think I may fest
Er over your blessed
Daft (deliberately) text
xxx
Your ditty is delightful! Robert Service was a favorite of Uncle Hub who would frequently recite “Sam McGee.” What a pleasure to be reminded of it!
Glad you enjoyed it, Cathy. Didn’t know that about Hub. Just another reason I liked him I guess.
This was delightful! You really have a gift with the rhyme, by crikey.
You’re nice to keep reading, when most folks are pleading, for me to put down my quill,
But I love what you said, so it’s gone to my head, now I feel like the king of the hill,
Love your poem and the linked one…I love you, so this comment may be perceived as biased. ❤ Xx
Soul mates are allowed to be biased!
Loved the poem! Some things are definitely worth waiting for. And this was one of them!
Thanks, Gabe. I’m hoping this humble offering finally gets me off the snide.
I enjoyed reading the linked poem, too!
His stuff is fascinating, isn’t it?
Yes, thanks!
I’m pretty sure your wit is intact. Thanks for letting us know you’re still on this side of the grass.
Thanks, Patti. I know I’m still on this side of the grass because I’ve had to mow my lawn once already and it’s not even spring!
Oh Al, don’t you dare even think of leaving the blogging world! Oh God how I hate those dry writing spells. Somehow it always seems to come back though and it will with you too.
Love your style of poetry too, I can understand it! Hoe long did it take you to come with crikey to rhyme with psyche? Very good! 😉
Thanks for the encouragement, Tricia. For some reason, unlike narrative, I am able to write poetry pretty easily. But as I mentioned, true poets present a more lilting and flowing read rather than the stutter-step style like mine. But, like you, I can understand and enjoy it more.
P.S. I’d never leave you. You are the beacon in the fog of the West Coast.
Ha! Ok, well good to know you are not going anywhere Al. I guess the stutter and step style is just more appealing to me. That’s not easy to do either, you’ve definitely got knack for it.
Loved the poem Al! Glad you are back.
Thank you very much. Sorry to have vacated so long!
not to worry…..sometimes life happens.
Great to see a post from you because I was starting to be a little concerned, but these verses show the talent is still there and very full life.
Much thanks, Peter. Hoping this poor man’s poetry will get my juices flowing and chase away the literary blahs.
Love that rhyme, and just in time, to save you from despair. (Ok, that was dumb)
Au contraire, Mare, it shows you care.
Service was my Dad’s favorite , I grew up delighted as Daddy would recite from memory Sam McGee and the Shooting of Dan McGrew…… another thing we share Big Al. Rooting for your block to end shortly, we love your posts…
That’s so neat, Marcia. Wish I had known you better in high school so I could have met him. Maybe we can read to each other this May. Patty and Rob will just have deal with it.
Sam McGee is one of my d time favorites. Used it in school with a story telling unit. Loved doing it!!
Sent from my iPhone
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That’s cool, Carolyn. He would role over in his grave reading my stuff, but he’s still my inspiration.