This Pen: a Writer’s Life
This pen I hold within my hand
Portrays the life I’ve lived,
The trials and torments I’ve been through,
And good times I’ve been gifted.
As I put ink to paper
Amazing scenes unfold,
Delightful childhood memories,
And stories to be told.
It records when love came calling,
When I became betrothed,
How parenthood took pride of place,
Of jobs, I loved or loathed.
Experiences good and bad
That tends to shape my life,
Places I have travelled
With my partner, now my wife.
Writers use their memories
To inspire the words they write,
As background for their stories,
And wrongs they have to fight.
Sometimes you have to push a cause,
Stand for a truth you know.
A pen can be a weapon
To defeat an evil foe.
But, now we have computers,
The wonderous World Wide Web.
Our words can spread across the globe,
So carefully we must tread.
Don’t say things you cannot prove,
Or reveal unfounded names.
Libel’s just a step away,
Tread lightly, don’t play games.
So, my life’s now an open book
Set out for all to see.
But, sharing is a therapy
That sets this writer free.
John Hansen © 2018
Now I find myself branching out and experimenting with short fiction, and thoroughly enjoying this, especially flash fiction.
I have been fortunate to have two poems made into songs and recorded. The first "On the Road to Kingdom Come" by Al Wordlaw, and the second, "If I Could Write a Love Poem" by award-winning Israeli/British singer Tally Koren.
My services increasingly in demand as a freelance writer and I have ghost-written the text for a number of children's books and educational tutorials.
It has taken me many years of searching and restlessness to realise that my life's passion is to write. It saddens me that I wasted so many years not devoting to that, but thinking positively, the experiences gained over those years are now wonderful material for my stories and poems.
I want to try to bring a new focus on poetry and try to make it appealing to a new generation of young people and those who thought they never liked or understood it before.
- The First Word – A Flash Fiction Story - January 18, 2024
- Dawns Song ~ and Twilight Serenade - December 1, 2023
- Weave Me a Story - June 15, 2023
A pen with wings – I love it. You are right, John, writers make good use of their memories. Nice rhyme and sharing in this verse. Well done.
I loved that drawing too, Phyllis. It’s amazing what you can remember from your childhood when you sit down to write about it. Thanks for reading.
So true John, it does set us free, cathartic and lessening the burden of weighted thoughts. Nicely expressed and penned my friend. Cheers!
Thanks, Tony. I count my blessings that I chose to write and be able to record and use my memories and experiences. It is certainly catharic as you said.
The pen is mightier than the sword it should be able to evoke tragedy and slay demons accordingly. It is such an amazing tool we all keep holstered that can be a game changer. A live note, a letter of resignation or intent, a biography, a scribble in a diary, the pen and the hand that holds it can make a difference. I for one am glad i got to share in your therapy sessions. Nice work John.
Thank you, Paul. Your great comment adds value to this post. Writers can certainly make a lot of difference to the world…the pen is indeed powerful.