‘Poetry is the one place where people can speak their original human mind. It is the outlet for people to say in public what is known in private.’ - Allen Ginsberg

Apart from a few articles and essays, my book of poems, ‘Messages are Dancing in the Rain’ is my first venture into sharing myself in written words and I have to admit, it’s a little unnerving. I’m sure most creatives have to deal with this, from the conception of an idea, its development, the labour of its delivery to its appearance into the world. There is the pride in having birthed something and the hope that people will coo over the baby and declare how wonderful it is. We have to brace ourselves, however, for the hard fact that whilst we nurtured this new living thing in the warm darkness of our own beings, it may not be well received in the cold glare of day. This sensitivity is the double-edged sword with which most creatives live, the blessings that come from being open, inspired and passionate about our art and the vulnerability that accompanies it. It takes courage to share our deepest visions and creations.

Yet we are all creative in our own way; we create our lives and we bring many things into them. We have a basic human need to share and are keen for our loved ones and friends to enjoy the things we do; our favourite films, books, our home décor, the way we present ourselves and so on. Sharing can be a fragile thing as we offer a part of ourselves and wait to see if it is appreciated or not. We might dismiss these feelings as emotionally weak, but the opposite is true. It is only by being brave, sharing ourselves and accepting each other that we can create a loving, safe world. We cannot, of course, like everything another person wants to share, but perhaps if we have something critical to say we might remember to sweeten the pill with kindness and encouragement.

"Publishing a volume of verse is like dropping a rose petal down the Grand Canyon and waiting for the echo."

Don Marquis