Procrastination by Fiona Lloyd

I wanted to write something profound about how often I'm intimidated by a blank page...but if I'm honest, sometimes that's just an excuse!


So, here's a poem about procrastination: a subject in which I am something of an expert. (Apologies to those of you who've heard this before.) If you happened to be at Scargill last September for the writers' weekend, feel free to sing along.


Altogether now:

I’m full of good intentions

As I settle to my task.
One thousand words by dinner-time –
Is that too much to ask?
A blank page is quite scary
When you’re starting something new;
The first line’s always hardest so

I’ll pause and think it through.

Now, checking up on Facebook

Is legitimate - it’s true!

I’m networking, not putting off

The work I’d planned to do.

I’d better check the emails
As you never know what’s there.
If I don’t answer straight away
It seems like I don’t care.

I’ll have a cup of coffee –

That’ll get me on the go:
An extra hit of caffeine and
The words will surely flow.
That cheesecake looks inviting –
It won’t harm to have a snack;
And building up my energy
Should get my focus back.

I know it’s only August

But there’s Christmas stuff on-line.

Those pink and fluffy slipper-socks

Will suit my mum just fine.
Today has gone so quickly
And I’m feeling somewhat fraught.

I’ve done three lines (with two crossed out):

It’s progress – of a sort!

Fiona Lloyd works part-time as a music teacher, and serves on the worship leading team at her local church. She enjoys writing short stories, and is working on her first novel. Fiona self-published a violin tutor book in 2013, and blogs at www.fjlloyd.wordpress.com. She is married with three grown-up children. Fiona is ACW's membership secretary.