The Indians have a word for it, of course - br 'sphota' - not too unlike our 'photo-flash' - br meaning, an explosion in consciousness: br as you recognise it in a flash, it's not yet words, br barely an idea; just that curious urge, for it to be; br br You try to get it down - the first verse is a mess, br just like your bedroom as you try to pack br a weekend case that covers everything - br but you really need it, all the same, to get to second base. br br You don't know where it's going, but br your intentions are - the best; br and if Dame Fortune smiles br (a clichayed phrase, but who else can you blame?) br there comes that moment when br br some mechanism in the mind br slips into auto-pilot: and you don't know br whether the words which now are lining up br are true or untrue; inspired poetry, or the mind's br rubbish-bin; just like a radio that's not been tuned; br but better something, as you think, br than nothing... then, that joy-ride stops, br as if you'd floated in some breeze-blown, fine hot-air balloon br and the moment that your feet touched solid ground, br the memory of the ride itself is gone... br br Better sleep on it; you'll be br a slightly different person in the morning: br you may be grateful; groan; or get quite fond of it. br br It's all in the lap-top of the gods.