It’s only by sitting in the chair
that we can hope to rise.
It’s only by tackling the knot
that we stand any chance of untangling it.
By putting words to the page
so many words,
any and all kinds of words,
mischosen words,
earnest words,
embarrassing words,
too many words.
It’s only by doing this work that we might hope to find
the perfect words.
The keys that turn the locks.
The switches that bring to life the lights.
The whispers of truth
the strength to the muscles
the shape to the spine
the beat to the heart
of the narrative.
The right words are there.
Not in some nebulous cloud floating above your head,
not lurking in your computer,
not sleeping in the pages of that thesaurus you never open.
The words are in you already.
Perfect words in search of a perfect place.
But the only way to find them
is by doing the work.
By opening the page.
By uncapping the pen.
By sitting down in that chair.
To write.
4 Comments
Rachana
Ahh what a lovely poem! This made me want to pull out my notebook and pursue some of those plot bunnies that have been bouncing around my head…it’s too bad there’s still 3 more days until the weekend!
– Rachana @ Spun
happywriter
Thank you so much! I hope the weekend gets here speedily so you can wrangle those plot bunnies. Happy writing! 😀
Rain @ Ivyclad Ideas
I’ve been struggling so much with writing this week…month…okay! Fine! Year! (*Hides head in shame*) Reading this poem made me feel a lot better. Thank you for posting it. 🙂
happywriter
Oh, I know that feeling so well. This has been such a so-so writing year for me. I have projects I am *actively* hiding from. BUT, I’m finally getting back on that horse! Good luck to you, you’ll do great. 😀