Of all the many things you’ve done and long to do, have you ever written – or dreamed of writing – poetry?!
In my teen years and early twenties, I loved writing poems. I loved being able to express so many emotions in words that (sort of. mostly!) flowed.
And to begin with one emotion or idea and let it become whatever it was destined to be, a poem that expressed so much more than what it started as.
My love of writing poetry was mostly inspired by my classroom days of reading Dolly magazine’s “Poet’s Corner” with a school friend the minute we got hold of the latest issue!
Like my taste in music, I have to be honest and admit there’s nothing classy or classical about my poetic inspiration. I’d never win any literary awards, let’s put it that way!!
But I loved it. Loved the whole process of creating a new poem. And the way it allowed me to express my thoughts and feelings.
I stopped writing poetry – stopped writing at all – in my late twenties. But lately the longing to express myself with poetry is resurfacing.
Who knows? Maybe one day soon I can share a recent poem with you!
But for now, this poem is one I wrote a long time back, one that’s been on my mind for the past few weeks.
As 2013 begins and I’m starting to think about all I want to achieve, and how I might do that, I have a little (possibly big!) fear that another year will pass with me being too busy to really pursue my dreams.
I worry that I might be trapped doing work that doesn’t bring me joy. And that I won’t have time for the work that brings me huge amounts of joy and happiness.
For me, this poem expresses all that and more.
FREE AS A BIRD
Would you call me a butterfly?
Beautiful and free
Restless but in motion
What a sight to see!
Or would you say I’m a bird?
Born with wings to fly
But trapped in a cage
Where I can’t see the sky.
Would you hold me each night
And believe in my dreams?
Would you unlock the cage
So I know what freedom means?
The beautiful thing about poetry is: it can mean whatever you want it to!
Brigid
Image source: flickr user AisforAmy91
You NEARLY had me in tears… the only thing stopping me was timing (i read it while dinner was in the oven and the kids were milling about). I was wondering only yesterday if someone is out there that might believe in my dreams and help me unlock my cage (I put it much more grossly than your eloquent words though). This post reminds me that you are someone who believes in my dreams and helps me unlock my cage. Thanks for showing courage. Jane
I’m so glad you didn’t cry into your dinner Jane. I would’ve been in big trouble with your family!!!
All the same, right back to you. You are amazingly courageous in all that you’re doing and I absolutely believe that you WILL do all that you dream of. At the same time, you’re helping me to stay on track with all that I dream of doing. We ‘dreamers’ need to stick together and en-courage each other!!
PS. I remembered as I read your comment that I saw at the Torquay market a handmade print with the image of a bird sitting on top of an open cage. It was beautiful and I thought of this poem when I saw it. Unfortunately my budget didn’t stretch to buying it at the time. Hopefully if I ever see it again, I will!