How I Became a Poet
by Dave • March 27, 2012 • Poetry • 4 Comments
When was the last time your wrote a poem? If it’s been years, I suggest you give it a try. Step out of your comfort zone and give that medium a shot. I’ve been writing a poem every day for the past month and it has been a fun and challenging way to access my creativity.
Photo Credit: louveciennes (Creative Commons)
How I Became a Poet
I was motivated to try writing poetry by a post on LifeByMe.com from Samantha Reynolds of bentlily. In the post, she said shared how she decided to write a poem every day as a way to be more present, especially being a new mom.
What motivated me was when she said, “be a poet for a day. I dare you.” I had a moment of thinking that I could be a poet for a day and it might be fun, so I accepted her dare.
This was the first poem I wrote on February 22nd after I read Samantha’s post.
Plastic
the plastic clings to the tree
outside my window
it’s been there so long
i wonder if it feels part of the tree
it’s torn and it waves in the wind
like prayer flags
it looks like it’s sustained through many seasons
oh the stories it could tell
does it think of itself as leaves on the tree?
special because they don’t fall to the ground?
special because it can cling to the tree
and remain flying in the wind?
come spring, the other leaves will return
do they greet each other?
are they excited to see one another?
how long does it take them to tell their stories?
the plastic waves in the wind,
waiting for its’ brothers and sisters
to return from their winter slumber
and wave in the wind together again
What I’ve Learned
I have enjoyed the practice and experience of writing poetry every day. It helps me to pay attention to the experiences around me. At the end of the day, I’ll take some time to think about what I’d like to write a poem about and most of them are the “little moments” I experience.
It serves as a reminder to live in the moment and to be present in what is happening around you. You never know what could be your inspiration to write a poem about. By paying attention to the present moment throughout my day, I always have more than one option to choose as the subject of my poem.
Writing poetry every day has made me use a side of my creativity that I didn’t access frequently. Just like writing here on the site or in my journal, some days are good poem writing days and other days aren’t.
The important lesson is that I’m creating every day and that’s a worthwhile habit to form. I’ve enjoyed the process and experience of writing poetry more than I thought I was going to and now it’s one of the activities that I look forward to in my day. It forced me out of my writing comfort zone initially and it was challenging, but it didn’t take long for the practice to become part of me.
The Challenge
I challenge you to become a poet today and write one. I “dare you” as Samantha did to me.
Let go of your perception of “good” and “bad” and just create a poem. If it’s not a practice you’re familiar with, it will feel good to flex this part of your creativity muscle.
My mind feels different when I paint vs. when I draw vs. when I write for the site vs. when I journal vs. when I write poetry. All of those activities are creating, but they are accessing different parts of my creativity to bring those inspirations to life. Just like varying your exercise routine leads to better results for your health, I’m now convinced that using your creative muscle in different ways can have the same effect.
Become a poet today, just for one day. That’s what I did and it’s turned into a habit for me that I’ve enjoyed immensely I see continuing for a long time.
I’ll leave you with one more of my poems that is one of my favorites (there were lots to choose from).
Silence
the silence in the morning
is like another person
sitting here with me
enjoying the sunrise
its’ presence acknowledged
welcomed
aiding the peace
i feel this morning
steam rises
from my mug of coffee
rising up to meet the silence
eventually dissolving into one another
the wind howls outside
casting the snow from the branches
and throwing them into the air
like glitter in the light of the morning sun
the world outside is quiet
anticipating the new day
who will make the first move?
or will it remain this way?
i revel in the silence
i enjoy the company
we share the morning together
for it is my companion
Did you become a poet today?
If you’re willing, please share your poem in the comments. If you don’t want to share, please let me know if you took the time to write a poem and how that experience went for you.
Photo Credit: louveciennes (Creative Commons)
