Samuel Morse, American
So Far, Susan’s Work On Her Book, “How I Overcame Writer’s Block,” Was Off To An Inauspicious Start, ca. 1836-7
Oil on canvas
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Info, or links that point to more info, about this artist can be found here, here (archived if necessary), here, here, here, here, here, here (can be read in full for free on Fridays), and here, perhaps in addition to what’s in his Wikipedia page.
/// Susan Walker Morse stares into space
with a far away look on her face.
Her Pa, the inventor,
here chose to present her
as The Muse of revise and erase.
/// Thus, this lovely young girl holds a pad
made for sketches an artist would add.
But the pages seem bare.
If there’s anything there,
it’s in code. (Dits and Dahs from her Dad.)
/// Susan thought of a plot that’s transcending.
In a tale that’s both droll and heart-rending.
Tried to get it just right;
figure out how she might
write without telegraphing the ending.
/// Her dear father had said, “Be resourceful.
When you’re right, do not fear to be forceful.”
So she finished her writing.
Critics deemed it “Exciting.”
Susan never again felt remorseful.
/// If your name’s one they’ve heard of before,
sure, that helps get your foot in the door,
but the critics will turn
if their praise you don’t earn.
What they’ve lauded they’ll later deplore.
/// “Nepo Baby,” a term people use
to imply that your name you abuse.
Would Sue Morse have gained fame
with some other last name?
Maybe so. Here she’s known as “The Muse.”