A blank space. Yawning gap. Untrod pathway. Virgin page.
How to fill it.
How to begin.
How to create again.
A mind can seize, thoughts stall and falter at the first hurdle.
A break has been taken and getting back on the horse feels scary.
What if…
I fall flat on my face?
Slide into mud and slink away ashamed?
Only…
Here there is grace.
Here I can breathe soft and easy, inhale deep of Holy Spirit inspiration and pour it out, exhale slow.
We canter into this race against the clock but we leave our reservations behind.
This isn’t about coming first or even putting on a good show. No perfectionist preening allowed. No ribbons, medals or honours given.
This is about being available. Showing up. Being ready to participate.
And I know the audience will be kind. Will cheer any effort to join in, even if I’ve been out of action for a while and limbs are stiff.
So here goes, five minutes of unedited, as it comes, straight from the heart to the page writing.
Are you ready for this slow runner, this outsider to start, to begin again?
‘Begin’
Leave your yesterdays behind
rise bold into a dawning day
As sun tips its filtering rays
over the horizon and grace
drips long and slow into
every crack and crevice
this is opportunity…
To begin again
To be set free
Forgiveness covers all our sin
and hope and joy are found in Him
We’re slowed down, stalled,
stuck fast, sidetracked,
but will never claw
our yesteryears back
Let dreams be birthed
Let sighs escape
Let creativity be worth
the effort it may take
Scrap and crumple
scrimp and save
but get those words
down on a page
For they are barren
inside your head
and what’s been dreamt
should now be said
Give them life
ignore the pain
It’s time to write
Begin again…
©JoyLenton2014
Linking here with Lisa-Jo and all the other brave and beautiful writers for #fiveminutefriday You are very welcome to join in.
Poetry Joy 
This is lovely. This!
Thank you, Wuji! I am honoured by your visit, comment and follow. It’s lovely to connect with a fellow poet. Blessings 🙂
🙂 We are all poets, who write in every action a bit of who we are.
Indeed, Wuji. Poetry flows from life’s rich stream and we are all part of its activity. 🙂
Beautiful.
Thank you, La. Your sweet encouragement means a lot to me. Bless you, friend. 🙂 x
‘but get those words down on a page For they are barren
inside your head’
Absolutely loved these words really spoke to me. Beautiful! God Bless
Jaqui, I think I was speaking to myself as well here! Making a start is the only way to achieve an end result, though fear of failure can hold us back from beginning. And things often look better or provide an impetus to a new endeavour once they are on the page before us. May God bless your writing and inspire your words. 🙂 x
Thanks Joy for the encouragement. Your words are spirit and life.
Thank you, Dawn, for seeing the spirit and light which inspired them. To God be the glory! Bless you, friend. 🙂 x
Joy, this will surely bless other members of our Christian Poets & Writers group on Facebook, so I’ll highlight your post on the Christian Poets & Writers blog – http://christianpoetsandwriters.blogspot.com. Thanks and blessings.
Thank you, Mary! I am delighted and honoured to have this post profiled on the Christian Poets and Writer blog, and hope and pray it will be a blessing to others. 🙂 x
Joy, I love this poem, and your heart …as always! Thank you, Lord for Joy! Praying your day is one of rest, refreshment and renewal- may He lead you continuously beside the still waters. Hugs, Dawn
Dawn, you are such an encourager! Thanks very much for these affirming words. At a time when I am still very low in energy and strength they do much to lift my spirits and provide an oasis of “rest, refreshment and renewal” all by themselves. Blessings, love and *hugs* to you too, my friend. 🙂 x
😉
Oh, Joy! Just beautiful! I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. I’ve been at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writer’s Conference all last week and into the weekend and you would have fit right in! There was a writing contest and I took first place in the Poetry by a Published Writer division – writing about writing. Much like this piece! So grand connect – keep the inspiration coming!
Joy!
Kathy
Hello Kathy. It’s lovely to see you here! No worries about any delay. You have been really busy and I am always happy to make a new friend whenever the occasion arises. Congratulations on your excellent win! Wow, how exciting for you! Will you be sharing the poem on your blog? I’d love to read it. Stay inspired. Blessings. 🙂