Time Will Tell

(An Autobiography of Hope) Not too long ago… As a result of the greatest tragedy;     anyone could ever dread to experience;           the sudden, and unexpected event which resulted               in the most horrible sight I have ever seen,                     the one where I watched…                         helplessly…                               as my beloved wife,                                   and                               soul mate,                                   died in my arms… Change began to enter my very soul… For whenever someone would ask me     about my future,           these three small,               yet powerful words,                     began to permeate my thoughts                         and my speech…         “Time will tell…” Sometime later… Quite by accident… I unexpectedly wrote my first poem…     simply to place words on “paper”;           so that a friend could write a song in tribute. Upon its completion,     a process which took           but a very short time indeed,               I read MY first poem… I was truly astounded… All I could say… “THIS came from ME…???” And it seemed to say to me “YES, I came from YOU,     and you have many,           many more within you,               waiting for the proper inspiration                     to present itself.” I said, meekly… “But, what am I to do?” It said, quite boldly… “WRITE… EXPERIMENT… Pour your HEART,     into every word you write...” I asked… “But, what will happen if I do?” It said, simply, “Time will tell…” So, I began to write, experiment,     and read in my works in public… All, to my complete amazement,     were very well received… I then set out upon a journey,     where I took an old hat,           all floppy and worn,               and placed my given name upon it… Along the way,     I found two rings,           one much larger               than the other… Inside those rings     were poets and writers… Inside the smaller ring,     there were the great poets           and writers of history… Inside the much larger ring,     were many others,           some great, some small,               but mostly unknown… As I passed on by the smaller ring,     those inside looked upon me… I stopped… Wept… For they whispered to me…         “Join us…” Feeling quite unworthy,     I continued on to the larger ring.  Those inside welcomed me, by saying: “Join us… Write…” I asked humbly: “Where will this take me?” All inside chimed in unison:           “Time will tell…” Since I’ve been amongst the larger ring,     I’ve continued to write, experiment… Sometimes, like a man possessed… One day… Out of the blue… A poem presented itself to me… The ink wasn’t even dry on the rough draft,     when I presented it to those within the ring… The incredible reviews began to pour in… The great poets,     bent an ear… That poem entered “this month’s best”,     within 24 hours of it’s very birth. I was ASTOUNDED… Once again… At this moment,     I gently take my old hat,           I hold it before me,               in the position                     of honor, and humility,                         as I stride towards                               the very edge of the ring,                                   towards my exit… I hang it upon a post,     and take up a new hat,           holding IT now,               before me… One with my pen name     written upon it… One under which I will continue to write,     from this very day… Humbly… I turn… Bow… And thank those within the larger ring,     for allowing me the time there… I leave my old hat to remind me,     from whence I came… I now begin a much more difficult journey,     one fraught with pitfalls,           and heartache… Towards the much smaller ring… Those within the smaller circle,     “the greats…”           begin to sit up               and take notice… They say to me: “Continue on your journey… For you may join us,     one day…” I say to them in return: “I do not understand,     yet, I feel drawn towards you… But am I truly worthy     of standing amongst you? I don’t feel that I am…” To this they say to me:  “Tread well along the path,     that is opening before you;           continue to pour your HEART,               into every WORD you write,                     INSPIRE yourself,                         maintain your humility,                               and                         most of all,                               continue to WRITE… For when you do… One day… Perhaps…” Of this I say,     humbly: “Am I truly worthy of joining you,     the greatest poets and writers of history?” To this they all say to me,     in melodic unison… “TIME WILL TELL…” © Jonathan Wikkins October 16th, 2001 Revised March 7, 2008 All Rights ReservedWritten October 16th, 2001 © on Oct 16 2001 03:16 PM PST, David Michael Shurtleff   spiritual • life • personal • hope