The Wilful Sunflower

I need to start writing poetry again. I came across this site while reading comments left at Chronicles of a Poet Warrior. (Yes, I read other people痴 comments! Curiosity may have killed the cat, but I feel relatively safe coz I知 not feline. hehehee)

Hearing Jason talk about his poetry reminded me of my own. I haven稚 written a poem for more than two years now, and I miss it. I feel like I知 losing my creativity. Some people fairly ooze with ideas, but I don稚. I find that I have to make a conscious decision to write, cultivate awareness, and allow myself to explore new things. Otherwise, minor issues tend to grab my concentration and I walk around preoccupied, not paying much attention to the world around me!

Back in 1998, I set a goal and determined to see if I could write 100 poems by the year痴 end. Of course, I fizzled out in the middle but it was still my most productive year ever. I scribbled and scribbled and scribbled! Some of the results are displayed on my webpage. Of course, I had to make things difficult for myself by counting syllables and insisting on a rhyming structure! *grin*

A few days ago, Mark Morris displayed a long-lost poem his boyhood friend had discovered. I thought of posting some of my own childhood scribblings (believe me, Mark, mine were equally bad!), but they池e all at home, with my parents. I can稚 find any here with me in the city. The earliest one I have with me was written when I was 16 or 17. It痴 called Jesus Cares:

As we struggle on through this life
We get tired and feel despair
And sometimes we just pray and pray
But it痴 like talking into thin air

Once in a while we wonder
Whether Jesus really hears
Or we forget that He loves us
And knows the reason for our tears

Suddenly, in a quiet moment
Comes His gentle voice:
泥o you think I would ever fail you
Or leave you by My choice?
Don稚 you think I see your weeping,
Can稚 you see I sympathise?
Behold, see My love for you,
Be strengthened and arise;
I値l always be by your side
So stop doubting and rejoice.�

Why not let Him take your burdens
In turn to grant you peace?
Trust in Him to lift you up,
Your worries all to ease.
He waits for you to turn to Him,
His love will never cease;
When you cry out to Him in helplessness
He値l not ignore your pleas.

It痴 when you feel God痴 far from you
That He痴 closest by your side;
You doubt His love in your loneliness
But His arms are open wide:
He痴 a refuge for the weary,
To the blind He is a guide;
You値l never be alone again
If in Him you choose to abide.

So come to Him, find rest in Him
He痴 ready, waiting for you;
He値l give you peace and joy and strength
And He will see you through.

I知 so humbled when I see the childlike faith and passion in these words. Back then I would have confidently said that Jesus was my only reason for living. I had a bit of a turbulent relationship with Dad in my teens, and the knowledge of God痴 love was literally the only thing that kept me going. I was convinced that God knew exactly what I was going through and that He understood. I wanted to tell the world of His wonderful love!

Oh, for that passion once again! These days, I知 so much more self-absorbed. I知 ashamed to admit it, but I am. I should start writing poetry again, because I致e always wanted to write for God. It痴 long been a dream that my scribblings would be a blessing and an encouragement to others.

(And on the topic of poetry, Belle, the first-ever friend I made in blog-world, writes haikus and other poetry too. :) Do pay her a visit!)