I wrote this poem four years ago, when I was struggling with the temptation to give up writing. I nearly did give it up. I began to study painting intead, and I barely wrote for at least a year. The artwork, however, was enough to keep the flame flickering, and two and a half years ago, I started writing The Ambitious Madame Bonaparte. Now, in two weeks, I will have achieved my lifelong dream of having a novel published.
If you have a calling, think long and hard before you ever decide to give it up.
ETERNAL FLAME
In a rocky cleft
beneath the willows,
burns a quavering blue flame
that I alone must tend,
arcing my body into a canopy
when the rain pelts
or smothering snow falls.
In all weathers I must feed the fire
scraps of paper, broken pencils,
and fingernails torn as I scratch and claw
through the bricklike clay of my spirit,
hardened by years of rejection,
yet fertile still when gently watered.
Dig through unyielding earth for
wood chips, abandoned cardboard,
any and all refuse
that might feed this insatiable muse,
my burden,
my calling,
my obedience.
Ruth Hull Chatlien 
Congratulations! That’s awesome news. There was a time I wrote poetry, but I think mine isn’t nearly as eloquent. Every now and again I’ll share some, not too much. Most of my poems were written in darker times! 🙂
Thank you, Diane. I don’t write it very often anymore either.
I just recently got back to writing poetry. I’ve written many song lyrics on this topic though. Some of my favorite lyrics. 🙂
I’ve never tried writing song lyrics.
I used to write poetry, too, in my teen angst years. I might try to dig it up. I like the imagery of writing being an eternal flame. It’s pretty true, isn’t it? Even if you try to give it up or don’t do it as much, it’s still there and you have to give it a shot.
Michelle, I love this: “Even if you try to give it up or don’t do it as much, it’s still there and you have to give it a shot.”
It can be hard to keep on, sometimes. I’m very glad you did!
Thanks, Jen. So am I. 🙂