What is the Most Important Creative Product?

What is the Most Important Creative Product? The Answer is in the Mirror

Many years ago my journal entries began to turn towards the inclusion of poetry. I found myself, especially during times of emotional struggle and reflection, turning to poetry to help work out new insights. The following poem was written as I reflected on my work and my purpose.

I found that while I had written many books, delivered many speeches, and produced a myriad of other products, I had overlooked the most basic fact – the most important creative product I will ever shape is me. I suddenly realized that my life was a product of my creative process. And, thus, the following poem was written to capture this sentiment.

Create, to breath life into some form

Why submit to such a laborious quest

Paper, canvas, metal, bronze transformed

It is our nature, our species cannot rest

Such forms intended for an audience

We throw ourselves into this arduous test

Leaving it to others to judge our performance

Will future generations believe it was our best

And when it is all said and done

What will be left to show

Perhaps I will not care who has won

Perhaps it is my own life that I should grow

Dare I to invest my creative powers

My nature cannot let this life simply be 

To develop myself while I have hours

For now I recognize my greatest product is me

Wood, glass, steel, and fabric are to behold

Question, how to fashion a life into its own unique shrine

In response I turn my hands upon myself to mold

So that I might live a life that is not benign

Why make a product out of me

For this I have complete control

From this complex struggle I will not flee

For I have chosen to write the story I want told