I Write Poem by Shalom Freedman

I write
I write
Though I have already written so much
I write
I write though I have largely said
What I have to say
I write
Even when I have nothing to say
I write
Even when I am tired of writing
I write
Even when I feel the writing itself is hopeless
I write
I write
I write because it helps me stay alive
I write because even when I know it is hopeless
The very writing gives some hidden hope
I write
Because I do not know what to do with myself otherwise
I write
Because this has been the whole of my working life
I write because I do not know how to do anything else
I write because in the very act of writing
I begin to live again
I write because even as I feel writing and my life have lost their meaning
Writing gives meaning to my life
I write and write and write
And will always write
For so long as I can
Until God no longer gives me whatever it takes
To write.
I write and write and write
And write.