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Showing Up
Fill your mind with fantasies
But they will not be realized
By pining
Embrace your talents
Let us see them
But you will not succeed
Without exertion
Our eyes that witness the wonders you create
May provoke words of praise
But they are from feeble lips
Our eyes
Cannot replace
The critical eye of the world
Create massive quantities of beauty
For all to see
But hide them
And you will quash their potential
Rear a cage of caterpillars
Watch them creep into their cocoons
Do you lock them up in that cage
Once they burst free in all color and glory?
Or
Do you cease your duties
And release
The captive?
No;
I have a sneaking suspicion, my friend
You mean the latter
And I sense
You wish to do so with that which you treasure
Above all
In your arsenal of skills and talents
Why do you wait?
Go forth
Go with strength
This is no mere sport, no game
Where you must put forth effort to win
To emerge victor from a battle
No;
In life
Showing up
Is half the battle
And I’m afraid
Your attendance is lacking
This applies to my fellow writers as well--nobody will go ahead and sign you up for a writing contest, or submit your manuscript to an agent of publisher. You have to be willing to show your talents to achieve your dreams.