"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 :)

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

This is beautiful, Einstein.
It's amazing being carried away by muse but dangerous to remain in its trap. She doesn't easily let go.

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahaha yes .. like a sultry woman ;) thanks for taking time here Kay .. see you 'round!
E.

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

Always my pleasure... Einstein.

[light and ashes]

This pulled me in and captivated me like a web. I had to follow it to it's end, great work.

[Einstein Noodle]

couldn't ask for more angel .. thanks so much for your review ... we all need feedback eh!?
E.

[light and ashes]

Definitely :) hope all is well with you where you are.

[Sami Khalil]

Amazing rendering with skill and creativity. Richard is a wonderful poet and very helpful indeed. He has gotten a great spirit.
As for the poem. it is a success even under duress of the muse.

[Einstein Noodle]

glad you enjoyed Sami ..thanks for taking time .. and yes .. Richard is a great guide and teacher read moreglad you enjoyed Sami ..thanks for taking time .. and yes .. Richard is a great guide and teacher
E.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You are welcome. All....

[Fran Marie]

A lovely write here E..about the muse in sonnet form with . rhyme and rhythm spot on ..great picture of all nine..I had been wanting to write about each one.. But never got around to it..did write one poem about my muse though ...the one that drinks coffee at 3 o'clock in the morning..Nice work.E;

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Fran ... all nine eh!? that sounds like an ambitious adventure ;) would love to read it if you ever do get it done ... i am pretty sure i read your muse poem and drinking coffee but must check it out to be sure .. its a great idea to sit with the muse over a cup of java .. makes her more reasonable seeming :)))))))))) thanks again for taking time here Fran .. much appreciated!
E.

[Fran Marie]

I know right..all nine would be quite an undertaking..I thought put all nine in one poem dedicating a paragraph to each one attributes..at any rate my procrastinating never started the idea to. get going non it..that was years ago haha..if you still want to read my poem..its on page 53 of all my writing titled
3 Scoops of Sugar..

[Einstein Noodle]

going there now ;) thanks!!!

[Eilis]

I love that a poem about the muse being fickle shows such skill and creativity. I have a friend who writes form poetry when he is trying to jar the muse out of her stupor. I think sometimes we have to be our own advocate and just not wait around for the inspiration.

Which you've done expertly here. I love the sonnet form when it doesn't feel dated. It's not always easy to do that, but, you've done it well here. Inspiring for someone who doesn't write form poetry very often.

And, darkle. That's a great word. Good to be introduced to your work!

[Einstein Noodle]

yes! don't you just love "darkle"?? i read a lot of Dean Koontz and he uses it in several of his books .. your comments are very gratifying .. trying to stay with everyday speech is a goal for me with sonnets ..not that i have written very many of them .. but it is a goal .. and you have caught me Eilis .. i do, do just that when in a slump .. start putting together form poetry of one type or another .. i also use it to give me a platform to leap off of when in free form .. which i prefer .. great to be getting to know you .. here at the Cafe'
E.

[h d e rushin]

when Taps is played on any Naval base, you have to stop what your doing, face the flag, salute or be perfectly still. Failure to do so is punishable by disciplinary action. You've made it (this mythology) a vehicle for the resurrection of our poetic inspiration. (genius). You don't always see this strict adherence in iambic transport to impart or communicate new world, post modernist poetry, but you managed. Obviously you are of another age.....wonderful......dana

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahaha another age indeed .. old man m'lady rushin :)) funny you relate to the Navy .. the branch i was in .. in the 60s .. Richard has inspired me to work with sonnets .. this one surprised me in how much easier it was to write than earlier attempts ... my "voice" is more abstract and free verse ..thanks for taking time h d! love running into you here at the Cafe' ..
E.

[Lydia Shutter]

Oh, E, this is a wonderful sonnet! Lyrical, rhythmic, and easy to relate to. That darn muse is very moody and when we want to write, she does not necessarily cooperate, does she? I think the best way to break writer's block is to write....and you have proven that here. Great work! Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

you know how much i appreciate all your input Lydia .. thanks for taking time ... i feel pretty happy you enjoyed and related to this one ... it was actually fun to write ... unlike precious sonnets i have attempted ... repetition breeds familiarity eh!? love on ya ... peace and joy
E.

[barleygirl]

This appears to be a sonnet (altho I'm no expert on form) . . . and I love that your message is lively & vibrant & relatable & unique. Sometimes sonnet-writing seems to entice poets to offer up a particular type of predictable generalized rubbish (in my opinion, & I've offended some with my honesty, including your comrade in sonnet-writing). Sooo that's why I love this poem so much, becuz it's nothing like the sonnets I usually fall asleep during. Also, with gazillions of pieces being written about writing & muses & blockages on a writing website, you've managed to steer clear of all the ways it's already been done, so that your poem puts across a fresh & striking idea about the muse dance! Great poem! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Einstein Noodle]

Margie .. your review has blessed me socks off! ;) thank you so much .. i completely understand your apprehensions about sonnets .. and i agree that the form itself can push an author to language not usually used in everyday speech ... things like thee and thou .. lovest and stuff like that .. i am learning the form and it is starting to actually be fun ... instead of such a headache .. Richard is very helpful in his advice and teaching ... i am proud to say this one needed little correction at all ... when you enjoy the reading of my sonnets or even more so my very abstract poetry .. means a lot to me ... i know your preferences ;) big hugs and kisses girl! thanks you so much!
E.

[Mrudula Rani]

Your final couplet encapsulates it all , the sentiments and the struggles a writer endures endlessly under the vacillating influence of muse. An exquisite sonnet, delineated perfectly... I think your muse was at your side delightedly, when you composed this epode.

[Einstein Noodle]

well....Richard was most certainly there ;) all artists know just what the Muse is ... and how She works .. its pretty gratifying that She comes across in this poem ... thanks Mrudula ... i much appreciate your time spent here!
E.

[Mrudula Rani]

It is entirely my pleasure. Your wonderful writings are always inspiring treat, dear E.