Nuala with the Hula stands confidently
at the end of Queen’s Bridge,
proudly presenting her hula hoop
to someone I can’t see.

Each day as I pass her
on my way to work
I see a promise that one day
I, too, will stand tall and confident
and that on that day
I will sing without fear.
Each day when I see Nuala with the Hula
it feels possible, somehow,
and each day I smile at the thought.

Today it happened.
It felt like time to stop hiding.
It felt like time to stand
in full view of people
without trying to hide
the deep longing that I have for God.
It felt like time to stop worrying
about what people might think.
It felt like time to unashamedly
simply be myself.

So, today,
Claire with the Guitar stood confidently
on the balcony at Hannahstown
in the company of friends
and sang without fear.

It felt good!

(c) Claire Murray