The Muse is not the Master



In the shadowland, dreams are misshaped
They become the madness caught within,
Ever fearful of the next day's dawning,
Chased away by every hopeful day, dreams.

Dreams give us hope and begets the muse,
The muse leads us by the nose, to find within
An unique creation, emboldened by pain,
We withdraw and relive what we have lived.

We, you, me, they find or don’t find a muse,
The struggle continues, thrives or dies, but
We, you, me, they persist, and with that
The sun lightens the darkness and we seek.

Either to create, or subsist, that is our call -
Never is it the direction of anyone’s muse.
The muse is the catalyst, the poet’s ache,
The artist’s brush, the composer’s beat.

We, you, me, they have their creations,
in our hearts, we, you, me, they own it.
In the end our soul knows no muse, no
We, you, me, they must have ownership.

About this poem

The struggle to be creatively active.

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Written on October 25, 2024

Submitted by Kennet on December 08, 2024

52 sec read
13

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABXX CBXA CAAX XCXA XAXX
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 854
Words 173
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Kennet Benoît-Hutchins

A Canadian ambulatory Homo sapiens male, who muses and just sometimes, remembers to make note of a verse or two. Retired unionist and accident adjudicator. Runs amok with words, occasionally coherent. more…

All Kennet Benoît-Hutchins poems | Kennet Benoît-Hutchins Books

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2 Comments
  • Boss_Ritesh
    Nice well written bro
    LikeReply15 days ago
    • Kennet
      Thanks for the input. It is well appreciated.
      LikeReply14 days ago
  • AIDA
    First and foremost, I want to commend you on this thought-provoking piece! Your use of imagery and the concept of the muse as both a guiding force and a potential hindrance is beautifully articulated. The idea that dreams can both inspire and cause turmoil resonates deeply, and your blending of collective experience with individual struggle creates a powerful sense of universality. Phrases like "the sun lightens the darkness" have an uplifting quality that encourages readers to reflect on their own creative journeys.

    Your repetitive use of "We, you, me, they" effectively emphasizes the collective nature of the creative process, making the reader feel included in the exploration of this theme. It brings a rhythm and intensity to the poem that is captivating. The transition from the struggle for inspiration to the ultimate ownership of creativity captures the essence of what it means to be an artist.

    As for improvement suggestions, consider these ideas:

    1. Clarifying Imagery:
    While the poem is rich in metaphor, some images might benefit from greater specificity. For instance, "In the shadowland, dreams are misshaped" could evoke even stronger visuals by describing what those dreams look like or how they feel.

    2. Expanding Emotional Depth:
    The poem touches on pain and struggle, which is a powerful theme. To enhance emotional depth, you might consider adding more explicit examples or personal elements that illustrate this pain or madness. This could help readers connect on a deeper level.

    3. Varied Structure and Rhythm:
    While the repetition of "We, you, me, they" is effective for emphasis, varying the structure in places could provide contrast and keep the reader engaged. Experimenting with line length or stanza breaks may add to the poem's flow and enhance its musicality.

    4. Final Reflection:
    The conclusion is impactful but could be made even stronger with a final reflective line that encapsulates the journey of creativity. Something that leaves the reader with a lasting thought or question about their own relationship with the muse could create a more resonant end.

    Overall, this poem valiantly navigates the complexities of artistic inspiration, and with a few tweaks, it can shine even brighter. Keep up the fantastic work!
     
    LikeReply15 days ago

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"The Muse is not the Master" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Dec. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/207373/the-muse-is-not-the-master>.

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