Nothing good by Andrew Shephard

I try to write but nothing good will come

and when I speak the words stick in my throat

yet still this dream that something must be done.

Although you hear me say I’m having fun

cold blood is spilled for every word I quote.

I try to write but nothing good will come

just futile rants, blank pages overrun

with streams of adjectives to self promote

but still this dream that something must be done.

Dramatic night spins threads with scenes begun

but dawning light sinks lines that do not float.

I try to write but nothing good will come.

 

Though thoughts are light my pencil weighs a ton

grey fog obscures the last few words I wrote

but still I dream that something could be done.

I fear it is the same for everyone -

shouting, ears covered, pleading for a vote.

I try to write but nothing good will come

yet still this dream that something must be done.

This poem, a villanelle, is dedicated to every writer who has struggled to put words on the page or been dissatisfied with the results when they have.