For the Artist at the Start of Day, a Poem by John O'Donohue

In this episode of the Deep Rooted Healing podcast, I share a beautiful poem by the poet and writer, John O'Donohue. It is called, "For the Artist at the Start of Day" from his book, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings. I discovered this poem recently and absolutely love it. It gives me encouragement and connection while I sit at my art table and reminds me that artists have a calling and deeper need to create. John O'Dononue was an Irish poet, writer, philosopher and spiritual teacher.  "For the Artist at the Start of Day" by John O'Donohue May morning be astir with the harvest of night; Your mind quickening to the eros of a new question, Your eyes seduced by some unintended glimpse That cut right through the surface to a source. May this be a morning of innocent beginning, When the gift within you slips clear Of the sticky web of the personal With its hurt and its hauntings, And fixed fortress corners, A morning when you become a pure vessel For what wants to ascend from silence, May your imagination know The grace of perfect danger, To reach beyond imitation, And the wheel of repetition, Deep into the call of all The unfinished and unsolved. Until the veil of the unknown yields And something original begins To stir toward your senses And grow stronger in your heart In order to come to birth In a clean line of form, That claims from time A rhythm not yet heard, That calls space to A different shape. May it be its own force field And dwell uniquely Between the heart and the light To surprise the hungry eye By how deftly it fits About its secret loss. I also talk about self-doubt as an artist and our need for connection and community to keep us going.  ------ Emma Freeman is an artist, writer, poet, Licensed Massage Therapist and Reiki Practitioner. She teaches online art and writing classes at www.deep-rooted-healing.com. She is a sober and a highly sensitive person. She lives in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.  Online creative classes: ⁠⁠www.deep-rooted-healing.com/classes⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠www.deep-rooted-healing.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠www.instagram.com/deeprootedhealing⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠www.facebook.com/deeprootedhealings⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@deeprootedhealing⁠