Waking before dawn

Each morning before dawn I wake in fear.

Today will be the day I discover I have nothing to say.

Then I remember.

Fear is an illusion.

A shadow on the wall.

And I step out of bed.

And my feet feel the firmness of the earth.

And I remember that words, like the earth, are always there.

Invisible, like gravity, until I reach for a pen and start writing.

Only a pen and paper and the feel of words flowing will send the fear away.

It is the same every morning.

Waking in the dark.

Believing it's over, the magic of words.

Then feeling the earth beneath my feet.

And remembering.

No, it's not over.

It's just beginning.

I have only to reach for my pen.

And remember.