Poetry: The Blank Page

The blank page

Stares at me

Sees my hesitation, and smirks—

Throws down the gauntlet:

A challenge.

 

And I balk

 

Take my hands off the keyboard

Drop the pen

Shut the laptop

Close the notebook

Push them far away

No confrontation today, please

 

It’s writers block, I say

(Out of my control)

It’s fatigue, exhaustion, and sleep deprivation

taking over my mind

(I’ve had a long week)

I should be studying, of course

(This won’t get me into college)

I’m not in the right mood

(The writing wouldn’t be good anyway)

 

Hopeful what-ifs shouted down by doubts and fears

 

And the blank page wins

Again and again