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# [Poem] Coming Up For Air
- URL: https://www.tom-shaw.uk/poem-coming-up-for-air/
- Published: 2026-10-13T16:03:03.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-13T16:03:03.000Z
- Author: Tom Shaw
- Tags: Poems, #substack, #substack-type-newsletter, #substack-access-everyone, #Import 2026-10-24 12:50

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedI have been a hider in the shadows,  
Hoping to fly to the meadows—but I,  
Knowing that under the night sky must be  
A flowering sun you must see, I choose  
To wash out the stains of my blues.  
  
I am a creator—and you are too,  
And the time has come, we are due to live  
In abundance—and we shall give our tongues  
And the breath of each of our lungs to speak  
Our words like birdsong from a beak.  
  
I am a poet… Sometimes, a good one.  
My mission’s to sing and ring true to hearts  
Who have gone too long with their scars unknown,  
And their purpose in life ungrown. Yet there  
Is still time to come up for air.  
  
I am a traveller through all of these realms.  
And yes, there’s things that overwhelm. Fear not  
The roulette of forget-me-nots, nor dread  
The unravelling of the thread that binds  
Our spirits, our souls, and our minds.  
  
I am the man I’ve been needing—and soon,  
I shall look up at the new moon and smile,  
And watch her dance her every mile gladly,  
With no more need to be badly craving  
The shapelessness—no: I’m braving...

###### Coming Up For Air \~ A Poem by Tom Shaw

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---

As it always seems to be the way, [I finish writing a new book—in this case, Rewritten Rules](https://www.lulu.com/shop/tom-shaw-and-ulysses-xyz/rewritten-rules/hardcover/product-w4g4kne.html?q=rewritten+rules&ref=tom-shaw.uk)—and then I rediscover another poem right after finalising it that might have formed a part of it.

This poem came out of the trial course I did for [Master Your Word](https://www.tom-shaw.uk/master-your-word/). I didn’t expect to be writing so much as a facilitator. Yet, at numerous points through the course, it just made sense to. There’s something about a back-and-forth dialogue through poetry that taps into something that can’t be said or felt otherwise. It’s a little bit like this video of Herbie Hancock and Jacob Collier, clearly communicating through their music:

That’s what I always try to capture with my poetry: it’s an invitation for dialogue. To see an idea or issue from a new perspective—or even multiple perspectives—and to give space to say “what did this piece actually *move* within me?”

I said in the announcement piece for my book that my poetry henceforth will likely be targeted towards more specific themes, topics or ideas. This is still true—and in fact, you’ll begin to see a few of those cropping up on [The Solari Report](https://open.substack.com/users/280946781) as it relates to some of the hot-button issues that are coming up there. But I’m reminded of the saying “that **was** the plan”, and I suspect I never know when something else might inspire me, or when I come across something written previously that I feel called to share.

This was one of those pieces for me. Maybe it’s fine to just consider it an “encore” to my poetic journey thus far. Or perhaps it’s just a nice little bonus poem of the style-of-old. What matters at the end of the day is what *you* make of it; what it shifts within you and where it inspires you to do amazing things in your life.

So let me know in the comments: what amazing things are happening in your life right now?

[Leave a comment](#ghost-comments-root)

Thank you for making the time to read this piece. I look forward to bringing you more soon.

With gratitude,

Tom

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