Why We Write

I have many friends and family members that love to write. As the early signs of spring emerge around us, the urge to get words on paper or screen appears to be necessary after a dark winter rest. Family members are returning to blogs. Other family members are beginning blogs. Friends are expressing frustration of not having the time to write.I now have students eager to put words to composition book also. I want to write.

 I often return to Julia Cameron's words of wisdom when I engage in my own writing. If you are reading this for the first time or revisiting it again with me, embrace her message. There are many things which resist naming.

Why We Write

By Julia Cameron

There are many things which resist naming,
And that is why we write.
We write because language is slippery,
And the truth is.
We write because
The light we have to see by
Is always shifting
Never forget that writers are prophets.
We speak in tongues.
We testify.
We are for each other a believing mirror.
Our words make us visible.
Our listening makes us heard.

Never forget that writers are soldiers.
Our writing is the long march,
The walk into time.
Each word is a drum.
We sound it across great distances,
Reaching one another and ourselves.
Every poem is a day's march.
A celebration more necessary than water or wine.
Every poem is a drink of blood.

Never forget that writing is an act of courage -
Not on the days when it is simple and we discount it.
Not on the days when it is hard and we write like sand.
Our words are torches.
We pass them hand to hand
And mouth to mouth
Like a burning kiss.

Never forget to say thank you.
Every syllable is a grace.