I wake to bitter sea spray, a writer’s blockade. An act of war, I’m sure of it, and the chains rattle cheerfully above the crimson page. My dignified literary devices are sinking. But, this type of torture terminates if not maintained.

And the ships that block my view of the horizon are taking on water. There hulls grounded on the rocks of my adventures. Inner Critic, loses her rudder and starts leaking. This paper blockage will never hold, and I breach it with childlike creativity.

Sure, the sea will sweep over some silly pages. Heavy hulls happen like writer’s lulls. The stone fleet that weighs me down will some day wash ashore. But these are merely artifacts.

I am a rebel port, unable to be sieged. Be a blockade runner like me; the gaps are wide enough for all who are brave enough to steer straight through to the open sea.

A writer’s blockade,
wade on in, don’t be afraid;
the tides change again.


Frank is hosting Haibun Monday and tonight’s topic is writer’s block. Tell us what you do to overcome barriers to your writing.

Artwork: Clear as Mud by Marty Branagan

To scuttle them—a pirate deed—
Sack them, and dismast;
They sunk so low, they died so hard
But gurgling dropped at last
Their ghosts in gales repeat
Woe’s us, Stone Fleet!

And all for naught. The waters pass—
Currents will have their way;
Nature is nobody’s ally; ’tis well;
The harbor is bettered—will stay.
A failure and complete,
Was your Old Stone Fleet.

“The Stone Fleet” by Henry Mellville

33 responses to “Writer’s Blockade”

  1. Karen, I love where you took this. Aye Aye Captain!

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Wonderful flow.

    Liked by 2 people

  3. An act of war … brilliant

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Misky. 😀

      Liked by 2 people

  4. I love your photo image and your tale of writer’s block!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Dwight. Looks scarier than it is, no?

      Liked by 2 people

      1. you are welcome!

        Liked by 2 people

  5. Beverly Crawford Avatar
    Beverly Crawford

    I love that you took it to sea. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you very much. The flow, that’s one of the things I love the most about writing.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Amazingly creative piece, K. Loved it!❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you kindly, Grace. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I truly did. My pleasure.💕

        Liked by 2 people

  7. As wonderful an extended metaphor of writer’s block as I’ve seen! Brava!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you kindly, Frank. This was a great topic to gather all kinds of great ideas to overcome the obstacles of writing. Much enjoyed.

      Liked by 2 people

  8. Excellent…sail on!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, lynn. Will do. Here’s to all sorts of seas and tides of life that lie ahead to inspire new stories.

      Liked by 2 people

  9. This is so positive and enabling. I love your warlike attitude. Down with the inner critic!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you. 😉 I’ve learned to stare down that inner writing critic. Believe me, it backdowns every time. Your writing is mighty. I’m sure it can conquer any barrier.

      Liked by 2 people

  10. I love the extended naval metaphor, K! You have reminded me that I do sometimes have blocks when trying to carry my novel forward to where it’s going. For those times, there is poetry 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Absolutely agreed. Poetry carries me through even the roughest patches of my writing.

      Liked by 2 people

  11. writingwhatnots Avatar
    writingwhatnots

    Great Haibun – and I love the determination not to be defeated, your call for bravery, running that writer’s blockade.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Why thank you. “Thou I be little, I am fierce.”

      Liked by 2 people

  12. K.,
    Wonderful haibun. The ship of Inner Critic: I love that. And you’re definitely a blockade runner.
    pax,
    dora

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Dora. Ditto.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. The analogy worked perfectly! “Blockade runner” would look good on a resume!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Love it… some really brilliant flotsam

    Liked by 1 person

  14. That’s very good. Loved it.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you. ☺️

      Liked by 1 person

  15. terrifically defiant piece, brimming with imagery; my favorite: ‘I am a rebel port, unable to be sieged’ —

    Liked by 1 person

  16. This is unreal. Your imagery and metaphor are fantastic, KH. I’m jealous… if you tell me that you wrote this during a period of writer’s block, I may get upset with you!


    David

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Out at sea. How many of us feel about writing.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Ain Starlingsson Avatar
    Ain Starlingsson

    Great swashbuckling writing…! But war…yes…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Many thanks. I prepared to do battle for my prose. 😉

      Liked by 1 person

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