Big Ideas (Poetry)

I had a thought quite late last night
a flash of inspiration
I chased it glittering so bright
my growing agitation
at how it ducked and dived away
changing its direction
then hid as though determined to
avoid my keen detection

I cursed the Muse for tossing me
a morsel so appealing
it had me climbing mental walls
and dangling from the ceiling
but seeming shy of getting caught
its silky string was jerked
I couldn’t win this teasing game
however hard I worked

The outline of my brief campaign
scratched through with sheer frustration
pursuit was squandering my time —
a waste of concentration
then once ignored the thought crept out
all suddenly made clear
and proven in the light of day
a not-so-great idea