"New Once Again"

by

JACK PHILLIPS LOWE

Doubt says, “You’re all washed up.

If there were any nuggets hiding in that dry riverbed,

any worthy ideas lurking in that wide expanse between your ears,

they would’ve revealed themselves by now.”

Age says, “You’ll never do it.  Writing is a youngster’s game,

and you’re Father Time.  You’re a punch-drunk fighter,

winded by round 3, jabbing at shadows

and blocking with your chin.”

Reason says, “Let it go, let it go,

stop clinging to this child’s dream.

You’re a corporate slug now,

with backs to stab and asses to kiss.

That cutthroat world has a way of killing the Muse.

Give it up; you’ll never write another poem.”

And how do you answer?

By simply keeping on.

Every word written becomes a rebellion,

and the opposition serves to make you dangerous,

and new once again.

© 2000 J.P. Lowe