The Muse Has Spoken

I tried to write a poem for you,
the one you asked for, but she
my muse, has refused.

She has locked herself away
in a room in my mind,
stubbornly refusing to work this morning.

She demands coffee
which I gladly give,
and more sleep,
though she has had plenty,
and a work week that consists of five days.

I don’t think it is unreasonable to ask
for more than five poems in a week,
but I am not the muse
so what can I do?

She has asked me to inform you
that she has gone on strike
until further notice
and she has also requested that I give to you
this poem in response to your request.

She is a stubborn muse.

I wonder where she gets it.

© Michele Markley 2009