When the agony of dawn awakens me. I think of drinking ***** to arouse the muse from her slumber. But I don't; instead, I slam three cups of coffee, hoping to jolt the old ***** from her lethargy. If the caffeine doesn't do the trick, I grab a few of our favorites: Bukowski, Neruda, and Dylan Thomas. I pace the floor and read out loud. Eventually, I feel her begin to stir. I yell, "Is your fickle *** ready to work?" And then the real day begins. I know this sounds crazy, but the muse and I wouldn't have it any other way.