It’s literally one foot in front of the other, Sis. Poetry is the primer of the soul. At least, it is for me. What if poetry won’t come? Then, I start writing letters on the page. “A” is the first letter of the alphabet. I start with “a.” Then, “at” and since I have two cats in our house, “The cat is curled up on the chair.” It’s a throwaway line, I know, but it could prime the pump, like all sentences of observation.

Sometimes, I have to walk away, and do needlepoint or play the piano.

Prayer is an option for us. Something like, “Dear Lord, please give me at least 1700 words, today. Maybe they won’t be pretty, but help me stay on task. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

I hope I haven’t insulted your intelligence. Writing challenges turn me very basic, and utilitarian.