Read

When the words won't come-

read.

Open the classics.

Doyle. Poe. Hemingway.

Let the voices of dead kindred souls

breathe inspiration into yours.

Crack the contemporary.

Let Rowling feed you magic.

Let King show you macabre.

Revisit favorite novels from your childhood

or from crazy college days

or from recent years when child's laughter-

or roommate's chatter-

or husband's banter-

has silenced for the night.

Put tea on the stove-

mint, peach, chamomile-

or stir up some hot cocoa

for the stormy, winter nights-

or if you're of the inclination

pop the cork on a liquor of choice.

Fire up a candle-

pull out the incense-

light up a favorite brand of cigar.

Aromatics are prepared, stimulate the senses.

The purpose is not to mimic their words

but to go back and be taught.

For who could a greater teacher be

than those who've wielded the pen

before we?