Forty-five years ago I fell in love with the lyrics of a young songwriter/performer, Dan Fogelberg. As music often does, his spoke to me, connected with me, and those lyrics have only gained in value over the decades. Here is an example of a songwriter sharing his gift with the world:
Joy at the start
Fear in the journey
Joy in the coming home
A part of the heart
Gets lost in the learning
Somewhere along the road.
Along the road
Your path may wander
A pilgrim’s faith may fail
Absence makes the heart grow stronger
Darkness obscures the trail.
Cursing the quest
Courting disaster
Measureless nights forebode
Moments of rest
Glimpses of laughter
Are treasured along the road.
I will never be able to write poetry, or song lyrics, like that. I say that, not from humility, but from an understanding of my gifts and abilities. There are things I do well as a writer, and there are things I fall short in. That’s all right. I can live with that. The point being that writing gives me joy, and it is my hope that my writing gives joy to others along the road.
It is all I’ve ever wanted as a writer.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Bill, this is one of the many things we do have in common as I am not a poet or songwriter. Like you, I have learned to be OK with just that, as well. So, there is that. Happy Tuesday now once again, my friend 🙂
Thank you Janine! What you do, you do well, and that is something few people can truly say.
I don’t think you have to worry about that much. People connect with you and your writing both.
Awww thanks, Shannon! I hope so. I truly do.
Powerful lyrics Bill. I too could never see myself writing lyrics like that, but it’s good that we’ve both found the areas of writing where we can do well and enjoy those who do something different.
Truth, Andrea! I’m happy being me, and happy reading the words of others being themselves.
Joy, joy and more joy. Won’t argue with that. Peace, my Brother.
Always joy Manatita. Joy follows love like the sun follows the moon. Peace to you, my friend.
Great post Bill.
I have attempted some poetry but like you, it is not my “cup of tea.” But that is okay. We know our skills and talents and are satisfied.
Love ya man.
Love ya too, Greg. I think the world is grateful I do not do poetry. lol
Being able to identify one’s shortcomings is a first sign of a successful writer 🙂 That avoids one to waste time over things that are beyond our creativity 🙂
Lovely post, Bill
Thank you Ruchira! It’s nice to think I’ve learned something over the years.
I’d say you’re a gifted writer, my friend, but yes, perhaps in a different way, and that’s okay! I wanted so badly at one point to be the next JK Rowling, and after multiple attempts at trying my hand at a good story, I just never felt like they measured up. Like you said above, I say that from humility. Life has other plans for me, and that’s okay. I love to write. I love to draw. I love to paint. And there’s meditation. lol. Perhaps enlightenment, for me, entails writing poems that go with a mandala I paint. I have no idea. But the journey is fun. It makes me love life. I love what I do. And I aim to do it more. 🙂 It’s a good kind of busy – the best kind, like you say. 🙂
Your enlightenment is writing a damned good, compelling story line. You can tell that you bring elements of your experiences into your work and it makes it come alive even more. So…perhaps you’re not a lyricist. I’m not, either. I’m more…formulaic. You’re more suspense. And it all makes the world go ’round. 🙂
Lil Sis, I love your outlook on life. I learn so much from you….you calm me, and it takes some doing to accomplish that. 🙂 Thank you for sharing part of your journey with us.
Hi Bill – Your writing draws your readers in. That is tough to do with a poem. Poems are single points of light, not a firestorm. I write a little poetry and am a massive failure as a song writer.
Mike, I will try to live up to your praise with this new book. Massive failure? You? I doubt that seriously. I can think of some pretty bad songs from the 60’s.
Beautiful lyrics… thanks for sharing!
And thank you for sharing, Shaloo! I appreciate it!
“writing gives me joy”
it’s for me a poetry, Bill
which in a short few words awakens curiosity to uncover hidden joy of narration.
Then in my slow reading I can hear your voice.
Beautifully stated, Michael my friend.
I have never failed to smile while reading your works. I like the writer you are, as you are. We all have different talents and abilities and when we know ours well, it keeps us from wasting time trying be what we aren’t. Thanks for sharing this!
That is kind of you, Shell! Thank you! Giving someone a smile is a great gift.
Probably the best gift next to life.
Truth, Shell! Well, I’m smiling at you right now.
I could never write lyrics like that either. But one thing you teach us all is that we have to be happy doing what we do. By the way, your writing brings me joy and that is why I look forward to your next novel.
thanks so much, Marlene…I just wish the novel was moving along faster than it is.
Beautiful lyrics indeed.
Yes they are, Lori! So glad you liked them.
Wow Bill, I had no idea you had this writing blog, I always connected via the Urban Farm Yard. For a moment I thought WP had got its wires crossed until I looked deeper.. 🙂
I can see when I really get back to grips with my blogging again I will be exploring more of your writing skills and tips here my friend..
Never say never about poetry.. I never thought I would ever be writing poems.. :-D..
But when you give yourself permission to try, anything is possible..
Glad to hear you are not in the coldest ice blast my friend, and hope you are keeping warm .
Sending well wishes.. and Hugs. Sue 🙂
Thanks so much, Sue! This site is where I remind myself that I’m a creative writer when I’m not taking care of chickens.
I see in the forecast we might get our first snow of the winter on Sunday…just as long as it doesn’t last too long, I’m fine with it. 🙂
Take care, my friend, and hugs are heading your way.
Thank you Bill, and snow forecast here for tonight.. but none as yet.. While other parts of UK has.. Take care out there.. 🙂
So true, Bill. The act of writing is a joyous thing. To create worlds and wonders from your imagination and then inhabiting those worlds, revelling in those wonders, meeting your characters and getting to know them. What a blissful escape from the mundane.
I may have asked you this before, but when you take a break from a story because your muse has gone AWOL or your characters have nothing to say, do you find later on those characters start to call out to you, demanding your attention? It happens to me on occasion and they won’t be silent until I hit the keyboard again.
Speaking of snow, I just saw a few flakes drifting past my window. This may be the dreaded snow that’s been forecast all week. We’ll see. We live in a unique area and this may come to nothing.
Anyway, have a great weekend and I hope the snow doesn’t disrupt your plans too much.
Zulma, to answer your question, my muse is never silent. My nemesis at this point is time. I simply cannot devote the time to creative writing; thus my silence on that front. We shall see what the future holds. In the meantime, I have customers to placate and I must go.
Have a splendid weekend, my friend.
There is joy in the writing journey! I feel like that, Bill. It brings me immense pleasure and pride to write something knowing that I articulated it–like having a kid almost.
For sure,Rodric, and that kid will live long after you have passed on. Thank you my friend.
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Nicole, thank you very much for the kind words. Welcome to Artistry!