"Taps" .... with guidance from Richard..thank you sir!

thought i needed a poem on the Muse ... i suppose this will be my one and only. :)

Taps

the nine muses; compliments of Delphi Guide

I went to her and drank my drams in twos,

the service smiled a welcome, one and all.

But, time and pens run dry, because the muse

will sound-off taps, and dusk will surely fall.

Like empty caskets lowered down below,

the darkled, black of ink no words will spill.

She stops at whim, her flow as omen'd crow … 

my raucous, cawing, craving heart -- be still.

I try to resurrect reluctant muse,

with no success, as looking in I see,

a dust that chokes and gags creative fuse,

that burns too short to lift her harsh decree.

She plays the taps when time is standing mute,

and reveille when want cannot refute.

E. 7/25/2019

Author's Note

Reviews

[Richard🖌]

Ah,
The title struck and drew me to your verse.
Beautifully rendered, My Friend, in all the magnificence a true Sonnet should be, and brilliantly displayed here in homage portrayed and paid to your petulantly stubborn muse.
It is the rare few who can compose a proper English Sonnet, and yours dances to the beat and rhythm every true poet's heart can feel. Your imagery is vivid, emotion compelling, and syntax that brings all to life upon the page … the workings of a master poet.
I think it's amazing, the flexibility in variety of artistic skill displayed upon your pages.
I am humbled by the generous mention of my name, as but a mere touch here and there was called for, you prepared so well.
Love the perfect picture choice, and the music(?) … hmmm, let's say a bit eerie, but it certainly gets the idea across. 😳

Ya know, Gene? I often wish I had a muse, but after reading this, I'm not so sure I could coax her to properly behave … LOL!
Thank you for sharing another of your excellent, skillfully, and artfully composed pieces … KUDOS! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahahaha yes ... if wishes were dreams we would dream them come true eh!? she most certainly will not behave herself no matter what we do :)))))))))))))) thank you for all your time and generosity here at the Cafe' ..i am actually beginning to think of the sonnet as fun to write .. a huge change for me as my first attempts were grueling and never quite right ;) i wanted some dreamy lute music of the Renaissance but got too excited to post and went with what you see .. thanks again for your guidance ... some new horizons are peeking open to me as a result .. thanks so much .. peace and joy sir!
E.

[Richard🖌]

Well, Gene,
As a poet, you have realized a rare accomplishment to be exceedingly proud of.read moreWell, Gene,
As a poet, you have realized a rare accomplishment to be exceedingly proud of.
Is it not amazing how much more enjoyable, satisfying, and rewarding it is to accept the challenge of composing poetry through earnestly developed, correctly understood, well-crafted, and honestly earned skill?
Congratulations, My Skilled Friend, and a well-crafted English Sonnet … brilliant work!

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you :)

[Carola]

a fabulous piece of lyrical rhyme. 👍
loved these 2 lines particularly. ❤️
"She stops at whim, her flow as omen'd crow …
my raucous, cawing, craving heart -- be still."
wish I had a muse sitting on my shoulder, i'd be inspired to write a lot more poetry.
cheerio carola
ps. I've been going back in your pages to find poetry I can understand.

[Einstein Noodle]

i could not be more gratified .. that you are taking time to search around my lanes and pathways .. for something you might like ... i don't think i can think of any better encouragement for me to keep at it ... tho abstract free verse is my particular call .. luv on ya Carola .. such a treat to have you finding those you enjoy
E.

[Rick Puetter]

Ah, yes. Very well penned. These are such painful and difficult times. It can be unbearable.

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks again for taking time! yes! i think the creative urge and subsequent "dry spells" can be terrible .. the suffering in tune with the passion one has or doesn't ;) really happy you are checking out a variety .. on me pages .. right here at the Cafe' :)
E.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Like Keats' ballad, La Belle Dame Sans Merci, your sonnet speaks to the mystery and mysterious subterfuge of your muse E. Gracefully written with great meter and rhyme. Your picture and imagery hearkens in surreal tones and shading. The Lady eludes me also, more frequently these strange days unfortunately... Thank you for this well-penned piece!

[Einstein Noodle]

wow! Annette! thanks so much for finding this one .. i am tickled to death .. sonnets are very difficult for me and my abstract tendencies .. your review bringing me back to it is a blessing .. so glad you enjoyed it .. my writing also is stagnant .. i just don't seem to have the driving passion to express as i did early on .. but still cranking out something every couple months .. enough for me .. love on ya girl! keep staying safe and healthy

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Gene... this awesome mystical sonnet is played on a Mandolin where Muse dance vicariously in wisps of Wisteria in bloom.
My heart is beating to a drum that is heard
In the presence of angel hums. gently, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahaha ..thanks so much Pat ... i am tickled you found this one .. it rhymes :))))))))))) and has concrete theme :)))))))))))))))) your heart blooms in everything you share here at the Cafe' Pat .. i truly appreciate you ... thanks for taking time my friend
E.

[Patricia Wedel]

It is lovely to be a heart beat away with so many awesome poets here at the Cafe. Our Spirits are close and only a prayer away. I wonder how Shakespeare found it so natural to pen a Sonnett. One reason could be the manner in which they spoke their feelings.
I would love to visit his home on the Avon in Merry Merry England. I should google his home instead of “winging” it. gently, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

yes... definitely it is the language they spoke at the time .. the Sonnet made for it .. that's why its so difficult to write one in today's language .. too easy to wax into thus, thou, and thee and midst kind of stuff ..but worth the effort .. the discipline ... something i need from time to time

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Gene.. I am intrigued by the music that resonates when flutes are used to seduce the day. gently, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

have you ever listened to Carlos Nakai? ... check it out :) https://youtu.be/XHdOSMpZ1_w

[Susan 🦋]

A SONNET!!!!!! :) I am sooo in love with the sonnet!! :-) OHHHH what a funny, stubborn muse!!!...Exceptional use of language! WOW... So wonderfully done!!

[Einstein Noodle]

your finding the poems that are not me norm Susan :) "I Want" is a bit outside my shy wheelhouse and classic forms .. well .. i have to work very hard at them .. thanks to Richard's encouragement and tips .. this one is posted .. so glad you enjoyed .. doing forms grounds my otherwise way to abstract noodle ;) what a treat you are gracing my pages Susan .. peace on Earth!
E.

[John the Baptist]

A nicely rhymed piece whose military images capture well the imperiousness of the muse. Indeed, when the flow is cut off, it is with a "harsh decree." No bribe, no flattery will turn her head. Until she gets her nap, no more words.

[Einstein Noodle]

you feel me brother! ;) she is all that for sure .. we are at her mercy and lovin' it eh!? kind of slaves i might say ... very cool how you picked up on the military theme and applied in the way you do .. very cool indeed .. thanks so much for taking time my friend!
E.

[Pryde Foltz]

Oh no ... say it isn't so. Long live your muse, says I.

This was really an extraordinarily crafted and conceived piece. I really enjoyed:)

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Pryde!!! i sure appreciate your kind and encouraging words .. so happy you enjoyed reading .. i had a great time (for once) writing this sonnet .. they usually are such a pain .. requiring so many re-writes .. and then someone points out something still not right ;} this one was different for me .. and even Richard only had a few suggestions for me before i posted ... thanks again dear friend!
E.

[Beccy]

This would not be out of place in a 19th century poetry anthology. Lovely use of our language and a subject that all poets will absolutely empathise with.

My kind of poetry this.

Beccy.

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you Beccy .. I appreciate your encouraging and kind review ... this is the first sonnet attempt I have made that actually was not that strenuous ... tho this poem is posted just 3 months ago, or so, we write 'em and forget 'em don't we?! ;) so when reviewers bring me back i am always grateful ... thank you Ms. Beccy .. so happy you enjoyed this one!
E.

[Eugi]

Love this! If I could carry a tune, I would sing this! It has the makings of a song, IMO. A masterpiece, really!

[Einstein Noodle]

flattery butters me toast ma'am!! :))))))))))) thank you so much .. I am so grateful to Richard for his help and encouragement to write sonnets .. tho i try them or other strict forms now and again to keep me grounded .. Richards working with me has made it enjoyable .. i am at heart free verse and abstract so solid ground is important for me to touch down on once in a while .. so happy you enjoyed reading .. hadn't thought of it being put to song ... hmmmmmmmmmm no... i better not try that .. my Norma gets sick when i sing :)))))))))))))))))))
E.

[R.E. Ray]

Gripping, and I must admit, terrifying, E.! I suppose we’ve all had dusty, dry spells, though I can’t imagine not finding my dear muse. I only need one. ;) For writers, this one certainly hits the heart. Extraordinary work, sir.

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you so much RE .. i feel humbled by your review .. truly ... yes dry spells come and go .. each to their own way of dealing with them eh!? i just let it be .. and if time gets prolonged .. i go looking in my treasure chest of forgotten words, phrases and ides for something .. and that actually works for me most of the time .. but i am not a prolific writer .. i am content with something once a month or so ... and i read a lot .. especially here at the Cafe' ... thanks again for taking time and reviewing .. i am encouraged! :)
E.