avatarCaroline de Braganza

Summary

The text is a reflective piece on the struggle of artistic creation and the search for inspiration, framed as a dialogue with a muse.

Abstract

The author of the piece expresses a deep frustration with the creative process, feeling as though a muse has given and then retracted the gift of inspiration. This internal struggle is depicted as a conversation with a cruel muse who plots the author's downfall, leading to a fear of inadequacy and a sense of emptiness. However, the narrative takes a turn when a voice, possibly representing the author's inner wisdom or a higher power, clarifies that creativity is not a gift bestowed but a potential within that must be realized through personal effort. The author is encouraged to create their own reality through thoughts, language, and beliefs, and to overcome writer's block by moving from the mind to the heart, suggesting that inspiration can be found by stepping away from the work and enjoying life. The piece concludes with gratitude for the creative community and acknowledges the influence of other writers' prompts and stories.

Opinions

  • The author initially views inspiration as a gift that can be taken away, leading to a sense of loss and creative block.
  • There is a personification of the creative process, with the muse being seen as a cruel entity that has abandoned the author.
  • The author fears judgment and measurement of worth by a "Universal Ruler," indicative of self-doubt and the pressure to meet external standards.
  • The shift in perspective suggests that the author believes true creativity comes from within, not from an external muse.
  • The author advocates for self-reliance in the creative process, emphasizing the importance of personal agency in overcoming artistic challenges.
  • The text implies that taking a break and engaging in simple pleasures, like eating chocolate cake, can be beneficial for creativity.
  • The author values the power of language and thought in shaping one's creative reality and encourages mindfulness in self-expression.
  • The piece appreciates the collaborative nature of creativity, highlighting the impact of community and shared inspiration through tags and responses to other writers' work.

Poetry/Prose

Who Drew Me up to Be Thus?

A response to Andoumboulou and Vorfreude

Image by Arek Socha on Pixabay

Ha! You brought me this gift Now you steal it back Erase the pages Where once I filled in the blanks Tongue to lip in deep concentration Pen articulated the truth Drove me to complete the answers On Life’s questionnaire.

Cruel muse, you sit at the feet of the Great Spirit Plotting my downfall Where once I sought your company For pleasure and conversation, Now you shun me.

Will you convince the Universal Ruler To measure my worth Appraise my ability And find me lacking?

Such is my fear In limbo I create errors and omissions. The tension takes my breath As I await the verdict.

I am empty.

Void of ideas, my barometer drops, The pressure heralds a storm.

“What gift?” a voice thunders, breaking the silence with indignation and amusement.

“Not my muse, but who?” I wonder.

“I am This and That, Here and There, All and Nothing.”

Was I thinking aloud?

“No, but I can read what’s in your head and in your heart. For a start, let me clarify: I don’t hand out gifts. You enter this life with potential and your soul’s quest on this physical journey is to realize it — to make it real.”

“You create your own reality with every thought you think, the language you use and what you believe to be true. If you suppose I sent you a gift then took it away … well, you see where I’m going with this… then so be it.”

“The solution is simple — you decide who you want to be. If your passion so to write, write. When the muse you mention eludes you, know that is your mind playing tricks. Get out of your head and into your heart. Take a break, enjoy a slice of chocolate cake.”

“And watch your language.”

Thanks for being here.

This piece began with a tag I received from James G Brennan — all the way from Thailand to South Africa — thank you!

Read his cosmic story here:

Melissa Bee prodded him with this wonderful poem:

Here is the original prompt from Priyanka Srivastava:

Poetry
Self
Creativity
Writing
Life Lessons
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