The Making of a Poem

This post shows the thought processes that went into the creation of the poem ‘It’s all there waiting’ which is at the end of the post.

I’m a member of a writing group that meets every Thursday. The group began after some of us went to writing workshops with a particular presenter. We had varied reactions to this presenter and we got together to discuss related issues.

The friendship between us grew and grew, and members left, new members arrived. The friendship leads to some terrific sharing of thoughts and ideas, and most of the time it leads to some great writing being shared.

Anyway, last week we were told to think of a saying/quote/maxim that meant something to us and write a piece referring to that saying etc. I may have got that wrong, but it won’t matter, because I have something written to share with the group.

The saying that struck me as a fine one is this: ‘Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have.’ It is quoted as being anonymous, but the words could have been written by me, they struck me as being so true.

This is how my writing toward the final poem went:

“If you’re alive, and have friends, you’re better off than many.

If you’re alive and have no friends, you’re still better off than some.

If you’re dead and people liked you, you must have lived a good life.

If you’re dead and nobody liked you, you might be better off dead.

This is how I judge my life - I have many things in my life I’m grateful for. I am alive, in no pain and I can usually live the life I want to live. I am so much better off than so many people in this world. The thing that pains me sometimes is knowing others have much and don’t realise what they have.

 The world gives us what we need, but it’s often wasted by people who forgotten how to live a life worth living. Children know the secret to it. Connect with your inner child and live your best life.”

And now the poem I wrote to present to my dear friends at tonight’s meeting:

It’s all there waiting…

I have much,

friends who care,

food and shelter.

I have family I can rely on

and Nature offers me

delights whenever I look outside.

I am truly happy.

It’s nothing too literary or anything, but it’s a valuable piece to remember every single day.

Reading the poem again now, I can see some things I might change, but I'll leave it as is and see what the group members think. I value their critiques very much.