avatarJim McAulay🍁 I'm nobody. Are you a nobody too?

Summary

Arthur Ashby, a writer who struggled with writer's block, left behind only one word, "WRITE," as his life's work.

Abstract

Arthur Ashby, a writer, passed away leaving behind a legacy of a single word, "WRITE." Despite his intention to find the perfect word to encapsulate his life's learning, he only managed to write this one word, which was found in his notebook posthumously. The poem reflects on Ashby's life, his struggle with procrastination, and the irony that the word he chose was a call to action for writers to write, despite his own empty notebooks and the lack of written work throughout his life.

Opinions

  • The poem suggests that Ashby's quest for the perfect word may have led to his procrastination and ultimate failure to produce more substantial work.
  • There is an implied critique of the romanticized notion of the 'perfect word' or the 'perfect piece of writing,' suggesting that action (writing) is more important than contemplation.
  • The tone of the poem is one of gentle rebuke and sorrow, reflecting on the tragic irony of Ashby's life as a writer who did not write, yet whose final act was to leave behind a powerful imperative.
  • The poem may serve as a cautionary tale to writers and creatives about the dangers of overthinking and the importance of simply starting their work.
  • Ashby's epitaph, "WRITE," is presented as both a poignant reminder of his own struggles and an inspirational message to others to not meet the same fate.

Arthur Ashby Only Wrote One Word

Don’t procrastinate. Just write.

Photo by John Jennings on Unsplash

Poor Arthur Ashby, died last night. I found him in bed. What a terrible sight. Poor Arthur Ashby, was a writer you know But he’d not written anything, left naught to bestow. Poor Arthur Ashby, I guess that you’ve heard. For a very long time, he has searched for a word, To sum up his learning and all that he heard, In one single syllable — the ultimate word. Poor Arthur Ashby, Had you nothing to say? Your notebooks all empty day after day. Poor Arthur Ashby, have you wasted your time? Your pages all blank line after line. That’s it now I’ve come to the end. Wait don’t go away. On the very last page of the very last book, Arthur Ashby, you had something to say. Poor Arthur Ashby, You’ve written a word. Its one single syllable just wait till you’ve heard. Poor Arthur Ashby, one single word written in ink Just one single word. Oh, what do you think? Twill be carved on your tombstone but come see it tonight. The word is so perfect. The word is just “WRITE”.

Illumination
Writing
Poetry
Procrastination
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