Notepad 2
By MV
I know its been a while since the last time
We spoke or since I’ve written
Hope you don’t mistake my procrastination
As me being distant
Because honestly, I enjoy the feeling
Of my pen on this paper
And I miss it
Alone with my thoughts
As I write this missive
Your therapeutic value was priceless
Though simplistic
Like when I misspell
It’s holistic
You never come with rules or opinions
Never closed minded
No matter how absurd my visions
Never ask what brand
Or what color my pen is
My sounding board when I’m trippin’
Or come off as pretentious
I appreciate your stone face demeanor
Even as I vent this
I’ve been away lately
And I have no excuses
You stayed patient while I delayed
Even though I know
Things between us would never change
Like you would chastise me for the wait
It’s insane
Nevertheless it passed through my brain
For you notepad
I say
Thanks
34 Comments
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The poets featured here are currently incarcerated, and many of them are in federal prisons far from home. Your feedback is a valuable source of motivation and connection to the outside community. Post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem. Messages will be passed on directly to the author. Comments may not appear immediately on the site, as our team processes them to mail to the poets.
MV, this poem flows so pleasantly and is easy to follow while sending a powerful message! By the time I got to the end, I understood that the message you’re relaying is simply meant for your notepad that you haven’t touched in a while, but in many ways, I think the message you’ve spelled out here is how many people feel reaching out to those they haven’t spoken too much throughout time in quarantine. As the effects of the pandemic begin to lessen, I have spoken to close friends and family who feel nervous to begin to socialize again and do so very carefully, first with those whom they trust most. I’m not sure if you had thought about this or a similar feeling while writing this ode to your notepad, but either way I enjoyed seeing parallels between this situation and others like it. Thanks for sharing, and I hope you continue to share more!
I loved your poem! I think it’s interesting because I understood it as you personally writing a poem about writer’s block, which I have never seen before.
Hi MV – Wow, what an incredible poem! I personally found your message about the meaning of the notepad to you– a “never closed minded… sounding board” that allows you to share your thoughts in writing in your own time– both super meaningful and relatable. Thank you for a wonderful piece!
– Maggie
You’re a deep thinker and you’re use of imagery and emotion around the relationship between you, your pen, and your notebook is incredible. This poem gave me goosebumps on the old potato mashers. Keep putting pen to paper and keep writing! There is gold in the mountain of your mind, you just have to keep digging.
Hey MV,
I laughed to myself as I read your poem because I recently had the same thoughts of how I hadn’t written in a while. The one thing that helps me with my anxious, confusing, and obnoxious feelings I haven’t done in months. Looks like this was a sign to get back to it. I love the lines: “You never come with rules or opinions/Never closed minded/No matter how absurd my visions/Never ask what brand/Or what color my pen is.” I can’t agree more with what you wrote! That’s the glorious part of expressing your emotions on pen and paper; there is no one on the other side of the conversation there to judge or criticize you.
I needed this poem. Keep writing!
Natalie D.
MV,
I really enjoyed reading the letter you wrote to poetry!! I could really relate to this piece, nice work!
Best,
Samantha
Dear MV,
I like that you wrote about the struggle to pick up your pen again. Instead of just jumping back in , you wrote about the experience of being stuck. I reread this poem multiple times just to feel the rhythm of this poem. Nice job
This was a well written poem. It shows the therapeutic value of writing. It doesn’t judge you and you are the captain of the page
You managed to express such a common issues writers (or anyone regarding the procrastination aspect) have in a such creative manner by personifying the notepad. The “stone faced demeanor” gave me a chuckle. Just thinking that your piece of paper is staring back at you waiting to be written on is a unique but funny thought. Keep up the great work!
– Rohit
MV,
I enjoyed reading this peom because it was fun and contained so much spunk. You had no excuses for why you were delayed in writing but talked about enjoying it. It seems to be a space were you can escape. What I like about your poem is you express that there is no preconveived notions, “You never come with rules or opinions, Never closed minded.” There feels like there is a friendship made between you and those that read your poem and its incredible.
Please keep writining!
As a writer, this poem makes me feel less alone and understood. The escape that writing provides, and the way it is always waiting for you when you want it, is priceless. What a beautiful poem.
MV,
Your cadence in this poem is beautiful. Every line flows so well together that I can feel you speaking the words. I’m glad that you can find some solace in pen and paper. It is absolutely the place for you.
I really like this poem! Like others have said, it has a really nice, conversational flow, and for a minute there I altogether forgot that you were talking to a notepad. It really does feel like you’re reaching out to an old friend.
Please keep writing! I desperately want to read more of your work (especially Notepad 1, if it exists).
I sincerely hope you keep writing and never, ever stop — your words are beautiful.
Thank you for sharing how cathartic writing really is. I know personally I have struggled with depression and anxiety, and one of the most helpful ways I have coped is by using words to write emotions down. Sometimes a notepad is the most powerful way to explain yourself to the world. Again, thank you so much for sharing your poem and please continue writing, however frequent it may be!
Hi MV,
Firstly, this poem is awesome. I wish I had a way with words like yourself. Journalling can be so beneficial to our mental wellbeings and I’m glad you recognize its benefits. Taking time to care for yourself is crucial to live a happy life. Too often I get sidetracked with due dates and assignments and I forget I need to check in with myself and a notepad. The personification in this poem is astounding. I don’t possess the same creativity you do, but I am so happy to know that people out there do have the ability to touch people in such a way with words. I also loved how real you were in this poem while narrating. I really appreciated the use of language and how you kept the words simple, but the meaning powerful. Please continue with poetry, you clearly have a gift that helps you and others!
MV, you’ve portrayed the freeing feeling that writing has to offer in such a clever and unique way. Reading this one sided conversation resonated with me, and I’m sure a lot of people, in a way I didn’t know was possible. Your words were frank and were received with laughter and agreement. Please keep writing.
This was such an interesting poem, I really enjoyed it! It’s great to have some sort of creative outlet, like art or writing because we can resort to it whenever we want and it will never judge us for what we say or how long we have been away. Whatever is going on in our lives, it is so reliable and will always be there for us. Great job!!
I love the way the poem flows and the meaning behind it. It sounds like you have found a place that is judgement free and not pressing to pour out your feelings. I love this, because sometimes even our closest friends and family expect something from us, but you have found a true safe haven to express your feelings. This is well-written and simple with emotion to back it up. Thank you for sharing and being vulnerable with your thoughts.
This was such a nice poem to read. I can really relate to your experiences and I am glad you chose to share. Journaling is a really powerful tool that we all should use to free our thoughts. It is a truly cathartic experience.
I really like this poem! I can definitely relate to it myself, and I think it might have been just what I needed to hear right now. I have been feeling a pull to start writing again (to go back to my notepad if you will), and this poem reminded me of why I love it so much. There is never judgement from a notepad–only total support and empathy. Thank you for putting this into words!
MV, this poem is very interesting in the sense that it feels like an apology letter and you are having to be forgiven by the notepad for your lack of writing. The words and phrases used to describe the notepad personifying it is truly great work!
Dear MV, I hope this poem was therapeutic for you to write in the way that writing seems to be a friend to you. I also find writing to be a wonderful companion during the ups and downs of life and I’m so happy that there is another soul that has discovered it’s magic. I hope that the pen and paper are always there for you and that you always remember that they are there. You have a great way with words and your poem is almost lyrical- keep writing to develop your talent! Warm wishes, Roxanne
It is very unique to have someone write to their notepad. I liked it! It seems you’ve found a way to healthily let our your emotions, which is so great. You should be proud of yourself for finding the perfect outlet for yourself, regardless of how often you end up writing in your notepad.
MV,
This poem really touched me because I often leave the things I love to do on the back burner, and forget to dedicate time to my passions instead of just grinding at work. Because of this poem, I’m going to play music tonight and promise to give more time to myself in the future.
Thank you
Dear MV,
I really enjoyed reading this- the words you choose create amazing imagery. You’ve created a path of connection and I am grateful for it. Keep writing and shining!
A notepad really is a steady companion, isn’t it? I appreciate how you explore the idea of the paper judging you — it feels like how I judge myself when I’m not writing as much or as well as I want to — but recognize that the notepad will always be there, ready to get to work when you’re ready for it.
Dear MV,
Having a release is something that everyone needs. This poem really shows how you’ve found that in writing and poetry! I like this poem because it shows how when you come armed with a pen and paper, you are able to express yourself however you want. You are not bounded by anybody. Believe that! Keep writing and sharing messages of hope and resilience.
MV, I love how you express your relationship with writing in this poem. The power writing can have is incredible, and you really tap into it here. Directly addressing the notepad in the poem gives a unique perspective here that’s really valuable to the poem. I hope you keep on writing MV!
MV,
this is truly a well written poem that not until the end, I knew the “who.” It was a great read and you executed the idea for your writing perfectly. The flow and rhythm is wonderful. The expression of your relationship and emotions with the notepad are impeccable. Great job!
I really like how this poem flowed and was easy for the reader to understand. As someone who often has a difficult time expressing how I feel I can relate to how you write all of your feelings down on paper even though it may be hard sometimes. I like how you also gave the notepad this sort of personification as if the notepad would say something because it had been a long time since you wrote something down. I though this was a very creative twist to the poem which I have not seen anyone do before which is pretty interesting. Thank you for sharing your poem and keep up the great work!
A very good poem I like your writing style and choice of words and imagery used.
You talk about your relationship with your notepad. My favorite line is where you stated:
“Never closed-minded
No matter how absurd my visions
Never ask what brand”
It explains how your notepad is never judgemental and provides a medium for you to be who you are and express yourself. Continue to do this we all need to find a way to connect and express ourselves in a non-judgemental way.
Hi MV,
My favorite thing about this poem was the way that although you were talking about your passion for writing and notepad, the message behind your words can apply to many things. Getting caught up with things and forgetting about others, like focusing on work and neglecting time for yourself, or becoming distant with family and friends because you’re busy. This is a great poem, thank you for sharing.
Ainsley
This is truly an amazing poem. I can feel how much appreciation you get out of writing your poems. That no matter how long you take away the peace the pen on paper feels to you is freeing. The way you play with words is beautiful, you can feel the love you have for poetry and the expression of your thoughts into words. Keep writing not matter how long you are away!