Joy

a poem

 

Over the past ten months, my primary work focus has been strengthening and expanding my writing skills as a student in a blended pathway creative writing program at Oxford. A blended pathway simply means that it combines online and in-person instruction. So I don’t live in England full-time ( though that would be nice). It has been a worthwhile and fulfilling endeavor, and I thank God every day I get to take part in it. As of now, I’m halfway through the program--and I don’t want it to end! The best part, not surprisingly, has been the in-person segment, which I’m currently doing. Oxford is the most beautiful place I’ve ever visited. I’m currently writing this newsletter while sitting in the reading room of the Taylorian Library, which reminds me of Belle’s library from Beauty and the Beast. How can one not be inspired here?

Though I remember wanting to be a writer as a little girl, I put that dream on the back burner for many years, not even daring to imagine that I could pursue something that seemed so unattainable to me. It wasn’t until I stumbled into blogging in the earliest aughts that my confidence began to grow. I loved writing and connecting with other people through this medium, so I began to experiment with different writing styles and genres, although sticking, at first, to non-fiction. Derek, my husband (and biggest cheerleader) encouraged me to go to my first writing conference in 2014. Until then, I never dared to call myself a “writer.”  I self-published my first book (non-fiction), Look to Jesus: How to Let Go of Worry and Trust God, in 2016. 

Eventually, I was drawn to writing fiction, mainly because I love storytelling and how this mode allows the writer to, in the words of Emily Dickinson, “tell it slant.” I have published four novels to date and will see my fifth (Kristen) published in September ‘24.  I hope I’ll still be writing fiction when I’m a very old lady, God willing. The creative writing program I’m a part of doesn’t let us students stay too comfortable in just one genre, however. So, I’ve been trying my hand at screenwriting, playwriting, lifewriting, and poetry, in addition to prose. 

Just as it was slightly terrifying to share my first fictional stories with other people, so it is to share poetry, but here goes. Below is a recent poem I wrote, which I hope you’ll enjoy…

Joy

Wind whips past, a blur of white.

Skis carve confident lines, muscles burn with exhilaration.

I know I am strong.

Warmth fills the space between us, face-to-face.

In your gaze, I see myself reflected , understood.

I know I am connected.

Lost in the flow, fingers fly across the keys, a symphony of creation.

The hum of the computer fades, replaced by the steady beat of my focused heart.

I know I have purpose.

Surrounded by art, in nature's embrace,

A hidden narrative whispers its grace.

I know I, too, am a creator.

Feline bodies tumble through a sunbeam, a whirlwind of playful chaos.

Unburdened hearts in weightless flight, laughter rings out in pure delight.

I know this is joy.

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I share all this to express my gratitude. It’s a privilege to be able to share my words with readers. Some of you who are reading now have been reading my online writing for a very long time now and encouraging me. You play an important role in my journey, a journey filled with joy, so thank you.

By the way, if you want to see more pictures of Oxford, you can find them on my Instagram page.