The mention of poetry inspires a rolled eye in most people I know. Who has time for poetry and what purpose does it serve anyhow?
Poetry
Anything can be a poem after all and what kind of ART is that? And that, my friends is where this story begins. Poetry can be anything and the freedom in it is the golden ticket. Writing and reading poetry can inspire and clear emotions you didn’t even realize were impacting your daily life. Trust me, keep reading.
- Poetry organizes the chaos in your head. It allows you to use any words that pop up. Start with something as simple as what is on your mind at this moment. How are you feeling? What words pop up? No matter what words surface, drop them on the page. Allow the words to form themselves as you meander in that space without trying to explain or decipher what they mean. This practice allows you to feel and think whatever is under the surface in that moment without judgment.
- Poetry is emotional. Your words are a safe space. You can choose whether to share them with the world or keep them hidden in a journal. You can even burn them later in your fireplace if you would like. Poems are an avenue to express emotions in a way that is unique and unlike any other method. With poems your words don’t have to make sense, have a particular structure, and grammar is optional. Anything goes. No limits. I don’t know many other areas of life where we can have that freedom without consequences, do you?
- Poetry clarifies hidden ideas and emotions about your world. Once you permit yourself to unleash your words without rules, it is amazing what you will find. Suddenly an idea crystalizes, and emotion is expressed and can be released, an obstacle is cleared that you didn’t even realize was holding you back. The power of poetry is that nothing is forbidden. It’s your innermost self on the page. Sometimes you just need to see the words to know what’s next. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece to change your life.
- Poetry connects us. It is no secret that writing helps complete strangers relate to one another through common experiences. If you develop the courage to share your work with others, your words may have a positive impact on their lives as well. It doesn’t matter if the reader interprets your words differently than you intended; the important part is that it means something to them. Your words may be the light in their day that helps them feel less alone. You may think I’m being dramatic but think of all those times you came across an inspirational quote on Instagram and felt it was directed specifically at you.
- Poetry is an art form that you can easily share with your children. Given that poetry does not have rules, it can be an enriching and fun experience for families to experience together. Poetry helps children learn rhythm, helps them string words together, use different adjectives and nouns to describe their life experiences and gives them a productive and safe outlet for expression. It provides kids a fantastic tool for developing their sense of self and interpreting the world around them.
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Let’s Write Poetry
Poetry is not only lines of rhyming flowery language. It is an outlet for expression that is uniquely therapeutic for kids and adults alike. The possibilities for enjoying poetry as an individual or family are endless. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you learn about yourself as well as those you love.
