Hesiod and the Muse (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Those who wish to be a muse
Have not been one
Think twice on the terrible sacrifice
Of this calling
Life reflected in another’s eyes
Clouds over your sun
Refracted imagery of deeper need
Angels falling
Those who wish to yet inspire
Count not the cost
Every thought, emotion, action
Is fair game
Like a butterfly pinned helpless
Freedom lost
You emerge from such communion
Not the same
(c) Helen Valentina 2013, All Rights Reserved
helenvalentina 
a lot of truth here. it takes from us almost as much as we give. this piece made me reflect
Thank you so much – was inspired by a book I read a number of years ago about the muses in the lives of great philosophers and writers and what impact it had on their lives…can’t recall the name of the book now unfortunately. But it was fascinating to read and see what effect it can have on your life if you are ‘chosen’ in that way. 🙂
Awesome perspective.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Working in pairs brings out the best in both, I reckon.
Yes, very true, a reciprocal arrangement would probably be both more creative and more healthy! 🙂
I once commented, jokingly, to a friend that since I write, I might well draw inspiration from him in my writing. I’ve since written a number of things, and he does feature in a few – even if it is just fleetingly. ‘Every thought, emotion, action is fair game’ is so true too; I’ve drawn inspiration from several people I know and don’t mind admitting it. They’re never consciously inspiring me, but it’s the real-life things I get my ideas from. I never really thought about what it might be like, to be a muse for someone else’s purposes. Really enjoyed this, thank you for sharing it. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your story – I guess as long as the muse relationship doesn’t get obsessional it’s fine – the ones in the book I read about muses were very obsessional! 🙂 Your approach sounds healthier! 🙂
My pleasure. That’s true; I’ve been studying Shakespeare, and to me it’s like the patron he wrote for is a muse – one he wants to please and so maybe he’s working more to write for the person and less for himself. Thanks 🙂 I try to find a variety of inspiration. There’s so much in the world, why stick to one thing?
Exactly!! 🙂
It’s his sonnets…. I do enjoy Shakespeare’s sonnets. It’s why I try to find ideas from as many places as possible: I never want to write for others if it means not writing for myself.
That sounds like a very sound strategy to adopt. 🙂
Thank you 🙂
So true. It is a sacrifice and something not everyone’s cut out for!
Thanks Jack, much appreciated! 🙂