"Chan ann leis a’ chiad bhuille thuiteas a’chraobh."
"It is not with the first stroke that the tree falls."
Portree Harbour by https://unsplash.com/@breebuddy
I was watching Billy Collins on a YouTube podcast answering the question, “How to be a Poet,”
Oh dear, you may not like the answer; ten thousand hours of reading poetry including the heavies like Milton.
I have an MA Creative Writing Degree, but I have not indulged much in poetry although I like to read it. But like any other endeavour in life like learning a language or playing an instrument or tennis, you need to discipline oneself and do the hours.
The Gaelic proverb reminds one that discipline, persistence and engagement are involved in accomplishing your goals.
Billy Collins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP9reBY7EwM