She sought, not knowing what she was seeking,

a talisman perhaps, some mystic key

to arouse her muse from deepest ennui

and so silence frustration's wild shrieking.

"Observe the many rules", a high priest said,

"Follow this way", whispered the charlatan

but a silent voice advised "look within,

then face the truths you find with no fear or dread

and germinate each recollection's seed

and from among them nurture those you choose."

Then from within Psyche's deep vault she freed

A treasury of inspirations to use.

Seek out no secrets, seeker, but concede

Mnemosyne is mother of the muse.

****************************

From a very old book I have called Ancient Myths of the Greeks, in a chapter on Minor Gods:

The Muses
They are the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne. They are known for the music of their song, which brings joy to any who hear it. There are nine Muses, each with her own specialty: Clio (History), Urania (Astronomy), Melpomene (Tragedy), Thalia (Comedy), Terpsichore (Dance), Calliope (Epic Poetry), Erato (Love Poetry), Polyhymnia (Songs to the Gods), Euterpe (Lyric Poetry).

There is more in these ancient myths than just pretty stories and Ray Harryhausen monsters. Do people know I wonder, when they talk of writer's block and "the muse deserting" them that the answer is so simple? Memory is mother of the muse. Look at some photos, play your old 45 rpm records, visit old haunts, re-read a fave book and then find or make for yourself an island of peace and relect on the memories that have been jogged. Your creativity will soon flow. Lord Byron said "poetry is emotions reflected at leisure" (or something like that.)

So many people now take things too literally and when they read that there is always a grain of truth in ancient myths they look for literal truth. In reality the truth is much more likely to be spiritual or symbolic. In one of Steinbeck's books he has a character say "distil the myth and find the symbol." OK, I led you to the symbol here, now never get "blocked" again.

And if you do, don't worry about it. Once you think you are blocked rather than "not writing at the moment" you are in trouble.