“This is Writing”

To journey far to the places in my mind,

to touch, smell, see, taste, hear, and find

the words that wait for the breath of life;

This is writing.

To give life through labored anticipation,

to join with God in the gift of creation,

in awe of the life-giving power of words;

This is writing.

To bring forth from my soul this offering,

to my God, the first-fruits of story I bring,

then bare my soul for the sake of another’s;

This is writing.

To watch what I’ve nurtured go on its way,

to caress, then release it–never forgetting to pray,

 that, with God’s blessing, I can give life again;

This is writing.