Acres of Barren Ideas
in a quiet booth
back of the cafe
sat a cup of coffee
with fingers twiddling the handle
fingers belonging to an old poet
trying to come up with an idea
for a great poem
the waitress brought a refill
but he gently shooed her away
something percolating in his brain
from a black mind, no sugar
just the aroma
of a pen moving across a napkin
and then, unfortunately
spilled ink wiped away with that poem
and tossed into the cup of frustration
as the sound of spinning wheels
matched his spinning mind
regretting not asking for two creamers
to dilute his overcrowded
intellectual property
erin-cilberto
7/7/25
That is a horrible feeling when you think about it. You had it in your hands to write then it gets dashed away.
jacobFog September 26, 2025 At 7:51 am
Did you ever have a really great idea, but you are driving somewhere, and by the time you get where you are going….abracadabra….poof.
the thought has left you?
Ugh!
Thank you, Fia.
j.
Did you ever have a really great idea, but you are driving somewhere, and by the time you get where you are going….abracadabra….poof.
the thought has left you?
Ugh!
Thank you, Fia.
j.
Yes, that has happened to me
Yes, the mojo being torn away or lost. Often it’s the frustration of knowing what could have been that really hurts.
Yes, it sure is. Thank you, Tim.
j.
If we weren’t poets, we would probably just say “Oh well.”
But we are, so it hurts deeply when we lose good ideas…and at my age, I really have to catch them fast.
We have all been. I was black coffee with three sugars for years. I cut the sugar and the coffee and many other desired tasty stuff. Sucks. But, I’m only 9 years away from the ages my parents were when they died. I want a bit more time.
Thank you for the share, Paula. Yes, as we grow older we make decisions…do I be careful with what I eat and drink, so I can stay longer. Or, what the hell, I am going to enjoy the rest of my time, no matter how long it is…so I will eat and drink whatever.
Thanks for your comments.
j.
Cleverly penned, Jacob. The life of a writer, I think we’ve all been there. Great storytelling my friend. Appreciate you.
Damian
Thank you for your kind words, Damian.
j.
If you lose an idea you will always have another. If you have it brewing it will resurface or it will fly on.
A very vivid scene painted with few words
Regards James
One poetic door closes, another opens. Thanks for your comment, James.
j.
I have always found a cup of coffee to be a great conjure of thought. Just like a rainy day that puts you in the mood for film noirs at TCM. Somehow, I just can’t imagine you ever being at a loss for words!
Oh, many times I cannot quite grab that one word I am looking for out of the air.
Try unsuccessfully….but I am lucky….enough of them seem to find me.
Thank you for your kind words, Kelly.
j.