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Port Richmond poet: 'Writer's block, the lockless cage'

Bob Horn, a Port Richmond resident, grew up and lived in Kensington for 25 years. During his free time, Horn likes to write songs and poetry. In this piece, Horn reflects on a challenge that affects many writers: writer’s block. Below is Horn’s explanation of the poem: 

Merriam-Webster defines writer’s block as “a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece.” The keywords here are psychological and proceeding. The proceeding would imply you started a piece and can’t finish. I can’t even get out of the gate. You can get writer’s block doing your grocery list. As for the psychological, maybe it’s Webster’s way of saying it’s all in your head. At my level, there are no consequences, but for professional writers, I would think it is devastating.”

Writer’s Block

Wells run deep, emotions waged
Copious ink, an empty page
Writer’s block, the lockless cage
poets wonder, memories fade

cocktails and consequence
fairy tales, without romance
poets ponder aimlessly
knowing they don’t stand a chance

Crossroad decisions
that road less traveled
only poets see the trees
when the forest is unraveled

Writer’s block, the lockless cage
poets wonder, memories fade
Wells run deep, emotions waged
Copious ink, an empty page


Editors: Siani Colón, Zari Tarazona / Designer: Siani Colón