Poem: First Draft

 

 

Hello everyone, 

 

I hope y’all are keeping yourselves safe and have had a good start to the new year despite the circumstances. With all that’s going on, sometimes it’s difficult to keep focused, to be creative and productive. The creative process can be a long and arduous one, and though I’ve spoken before about take 47 in interviews about my music, it applies to all art forms in one way or another. How many drafts did take to write your article, your paper, your novel?

 

 

In the spirit of that, and all creative endeavors, here’s a little poem I wrote about drafts:

 

First Draft

First draft, how I love thee

You are a perfect inspiration

I’d change none of your perfection

There’s nothing more to see

 

Second draft, how I love thee

First draft means nothing to me

It was the first you understand

I swear you are the perfect one

 

Third draft, how I love thee

The second draft was terrible

And now that you’re around

My inspiration is truly sound

 

Fourth draft, how I love thee

Those terrible twos and threes

How did I survive before you came

You’ll certainly bring money and fame

 

Fifth to ninth draft,

I can’t stand you anymore

I no longer know what’s good or bad

All I see before me is sad

 

Tenth draft, I don’t know or care

You are nothing but the usual fare

A desensitized, useless blob of words

Over analyzed, overdone

 

Final draft, how I love thee

Your commercial perfection

Will bring me inspiration

To create a new first draft.

 

Franco Esteve

©2012-2021 Franco Esteve

artist difficulties draft drafts first draft Franco Esteve poem poetry take 47 writing