Like a piece of ice on a hot stove the poem must ride on its own melting.
Robert FrostRead
I have a vast 'bone pile' of stillborn or abandoned poems along with jottings and wisps from the great beyond that I tend to scan. Sometimes that leads somewhere, and sometimes the Muse is just on sabbatical.
Interpretation
Creativity involves many failed attempts and inspiration that may come and go.
Maxine Kumin's quote reflects the reality of the creative process, emphasizing that artists often produce many unsatisfactory works, akin to a 'bone pile' of poems that never fully come to life. It highlights the unpredictable nature of inspiration, where sometimes creativity flows freely, while at other times, the artist may feel a lack of motivation or creative block, suggesting that both persistence and patience are essential in the pursuit of artistic expression.
In practice
This quote can be shared in a writing workshop to encourage aspiring poets.
Like a piece of ice on a hot stove the poem must ride on its own melting.
By coincidence and not design, 'Everstar' is written and drawn by an all-female creative team, and it makes me smile to think that there may be young female readers out there, future writers and artists, who get to see that comics doesn't have to be a 'boys' club.'
There is a strange sort of reasoning in Hollywood that musicals are less worthy of Academy consideration than dramas. It's a form of snobbism, the same sort that perpetuates the idea that drama is more deserving of Awards than comedy.
I decided to sell my drawings. However, I didn't want people to buy my drawings because the professor of physics isn't supposed to be able to draw - isn't that wonderful - so I made up a false name.
Music is not a profession. Music is a way of life - one that requires much professionalism.
If I wanted to play the violin, I had to work. Because anything that one wants to do really, and one loves doing, one must do everyday. It should be as easy to the artist and as natural as flying is to a bird. And you can’t imagine a bird saying well, I’m tired today, I’m not going to fly!
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