Writing: The Beginning or the End?

Writing is my freedom, or is it the the end?

Writing used to give me a feeling of freedom

However short-lived it was.

I could put pen to paper so easily

And compose poem after poem.

It used to be by passion

And I used to enjoy doing it.

Lately, I've been feeling that writing is a chore

That my first draft needs to be the final draft - 

My writing needs to be perfect from the first word to the last.

I've been putting so much pressure on myself

To create beautiful writing 

That my inner critic harshly goes through my writing

In my head, without giving me a chance 

To just pen to paper.

Now I want to get back to that freedom

That writing gives me,

To get that natural high

That I'm pushing past my inner critic

And typing down words in my computer

Rather than putting pen to paper.

It starts with one word at a time.

I hope I can keep this writing streak going for some time

Before fear or writer's block hits me

Like a ton of bricks.

So let me end with the beginning

By saying

Once upon a time...

Author's Note

It's been a long time since I wrote a poem, even for myself. Please be kind in the comments. :)