BEFORE GOD WAS, I AM

Question I would like to ask all poets…

I have recently started studying mystical poetry.  The above line is taken from the third verse of “Hertha” by Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909)

I am that which began;
Out of me the years roll;
Out of me God and man;
I am equal and whole;
God changes, and man, and the form of them bodily;
I am soul.

Before ever land was,
Before ever the sea,
Or soft hair of the grass,
Or fair limbs of the tree,
Or the flesh-coloured fruit of my branches, I was,
and thy soul was in me.

First life on my sources
First drifted and swam;
Out of me are the forces
That save it or damn;
Out of me man and woman, and wild beast and bird:
before God was, I am.

The poem goes on for an interminably long time.

What I would like to ask is, when you are composing poetry, are you 'inspired', does it sort of write itself or are you drawing from the depths of your being? Or both?

And as you are writing, and when you are finished, are you amazed at what you have written?

Re: BEFORE GOD WAS, I AM

As a poet myself I find that I am always inspired. Many times it is as if I am channeling a higher power and I am the instrument being used to express such thoughts, feelings and emotions. Have a beautiful and blessed day!

Re: BEFORE GOD WAS, I AM

Thank you Denise.

Are you often surprised by your results?  As in, looking back over your work to you think you yourself Wow, did I really write that?

An eccentric Aussie (or village idiot)

Re: BEFORE GOD WAS, I AM

I feel the same as Denice,  when I am writing it doesn't feel as though it comes out of me, but more through me. 

As far as inspiration, there are times when an idea strikes and I have to write it down.  but mostly I think inspiration comes when you call it.  Through practice, patience and sitting down to write.  There is some source that is taped into and then like a keg it flows. 

of course editing is like skimming of the foam and getting to the good stuff.

Re: BEFORE GOD WAS, I AM

Most of the time, I only write when I am inspired, and yet, I have also noticed, like Diana, that inspiration can be called forth sometimes, and no matter what, it almost always feels like the poem is written through me rather than by me, and the poem writes me rather than me writing the poem, and whenever it is too hard for me to write, then it is because I am not inspired, I am forcing it.