Filling Your Day with Verse: A Guide for Poetry Lovers
Nature, it seems, is its own form of poetry. From the vibrant hues of a sea violet bloom to the tranquil rustle of leaves, poetry can be found in the most unexpected corners of our world. This is a sentiment shared by Hilda Doolittle, who penned the poem "SEA VIOLET."
Poetry, in its essence, has the power to stir our hearts and create something profoundly emotional. It's no wonder then, that incorporating it into our daily lives can offer a myriad of benefits. Here are some practical tips to help you do just that, as suggested by guest contributor Cassandra Key.
Firstly, poetry-inspired journaling can be a deeply personal and reflective practice. After reading a poem, take a moment to write down your thoughts, feelings, or memories it evokes. This can be a free-flowing response or a more structured reflection on the poem’s themes or images. This practice helps process the poem's impact and make personal connections to it.
Secondly, memorising short poems or meaningful passages can create an internal resource that you can recall anytime, especially in moments of stress or when seeking calm. This focused attention also deepens engagement with the poem.
Lastly, reflective reading aloud enhances the experience by giving words different textures and emotional tones. Hearing the poem can reveal new cadences and make the poet’s voice feel more present and personal, encouraging a deeper listening.
Starting your morning with a poem is also recommended. Reading a poem each morning before starting the day can set a thoughtful and contemplative tone for the rest of your day.
Cassandra Key, an American ex-pat living in the Philippines, encourages writing one's own poems without aiming for perfection. She writes about happiness, self-love, and magical dream-life living at The Sacred Middle. You can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
Everyday things and observations can also serve as inspiration for poetry. The sun breaking through a window, the sound of a ceiling fan, people walking, wind through curtains, a spider's movements, an onion sizzling in a skillet, and even last night's dream, can all spark a poetic thought.
Poetry, in its many forms, offers mental calm, emotional processing, and aesthetic enjoyment even amid a busy routine. So, take a moment to connect with nature's poetry, or find solace in a book of poems or online platforms like Ultra Violet Tribe + Rebelle Society. Embrace the poetry of life and let it enrich your everyday experiences.
- To make poetry a part of your lifestyle, consider starting journaling, drawing inspiration from read poems to express personal thoughts, feelings, or observations.
- Memorizing short poems or meaningful passages may provide an internal resource for moments of stress or seeking calm, offering a deeper engagement with the poet's words.
- Reading aloud a poem can add different textures and emotional tones, creating a more personal connection with the poem and the poet's voice.
- As an alternative to the morning news or weather report, reading a poem each morning can help set a thoughtful and contemplative tone for the day. You could also find solace in fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, or travel-related poetry, or even pet-inspired verses to enrich your everyday experiences.
