Waiting for Inspiration

 Waiting for Inspiration

I raise my pen ready to write

As soon as Inspiration decides to award me 

With wonderful new thoughts, of dreams. 

I’ll be able to undertake many themes...

Why should I look at blank walls.

Which give me nothing in return.

The same goes for ceilings and floors.

Nothing comes in or out of closed doors.

Where am I to look for inspiration.

Perusing a batch of paintings

I have been busy with of late.

I’m tempted to drop this poem

And return to my artist’s palette.

My latest issue of the Nation Geographic

Catches my eye, in a moment I am lost 

In a story of Asian Lions exuding vitality.

And no small measure of charm

Do Asian Lions still exist?

Now I am with Marco Polo on his journey

Through  Deserts, over Mountains from Venice

To far away mysterious China, in 1274.

I see through his eyes the exotic people 

He met as Grand Courier to Kublai Khan.

In my mind’s eye, I see Genghis Kahn

in all his magnificent splendour,

Hundreds and thousands of horsemen.

Spread over the plains, East to West.

Cities grown rich in Silk, Spices and Jewels

Genghis, Kublai’s Grandfather.

King, Czar, Caeser, Emperor.

Still waiting for inspiration I see clouds

Spiral and fall, float and stall.

Shapes unbelievable, Cirrus, Cumulus

Stratus, Nimbus, full sails for wind,

Celestial ships crossing the sky…

Though I never left my favorite seat,

And Inspiration and I failed to meet.

Imagination, and Dreams joined the fleet

Taking me on a virtual flight.

 By Hillie Feldman   4th February 2002