Writing PoetryTo Release StressWriting poetry is an excellent way to release stress, bring understanding to an issue or an experience, or come to peace about something in your life. Many people find writing poetry an excellent way to wrap up their day, finding evening before they go to sleep a good opportunity to clear their subconscious mind of the day’s events. Use inspiration to put down your thoughts and feelings on paper so that you can go peacefully off to sleep.
When you start to write poetry you may want to keep a notebook by your bed or have one handy to take with you. Bedtime isn't the only time you can use this stress management technique. It’s pleasant to sit in a safe private place outdoors and write your thoughts, too. Start by jotting down ideas or things that bother you. You might even want to compile a list of metaphors for later use. Every time you do it, you will expand your imagination and your sensory side. If you practice self-hypnosis, these may be the resources your subconscious mind draws from when you are creating a visualisation. You surely will be drawing from your subconscious mind when you create metaphors but don’t stay stuck with what first comes to mind, be creative. That's what writing poetry is about: opening your mind, acknowledging your feelings, deepening your understanding and being guided by inspiration.
Here are some tips for writing poetry: Just go for it. Write down each and every thought. Let inspiration flow. Put it together later. Write about some concrete things not just thoughts that express your meaning well. You may find yourself using one object or a series of objects that define or underline the basic idea or theme or emotion of your poem. Example:You can’t light a candleTo show others the wayWithout feeling the warmthOf that bright little ray. And you can’t give a roseAll fragrant with dewWithout part of its fragranceRemaining with you.Anon. Describe them vividly. Just as in writing a script for hypnosis, bring all the senses into play when writing poetry. This will help you to experience your imagery in a more meaningful way. When you involve your hearing, sight, smell, taste and/or touch, all parts of you get very involved, at deep levels, making it a sensory feast. Don’t worry about rhyme if that’s not your choice. Rhyme is a poetic device, probably the one we associate the most with poems. It can enhance your writing, force you to work within boundaries or just make your poem look more attractive. But, as I said, you don't have to use rhyme at all. Or you can write your first attempt without it and then once you see where this thought is taking you, rewrite it into a rhyming format. Once again, every time you exercise your brain over this, you will gain insight and growth. Often if you are writing poetry just to exorcise some issues, reworking your poem will speed the healing and cleansing. There are a few other poetic devices you might want to play with while you’re at it. They are: meter, metaphor, alliteration, and repetition. Don’t do too much of anything and, of course, you don’t have to do any of it. Now set the poem aside for a while. I suggest you read it out loud, too, and even record it, speaking with full emotion. Are you working with rhythm, is more balance needed, could you replace or remove unnecessary words and, also, think about the imagery you have used to express your thoughts. Does the imagery work? Does it express what you were feeling? Or is there a better way? At this point, you may start to see another purpose or gain more insight into your own feelings. So go ahead, keep a copy of the original for reference, edit a new copy, with notes, and while you are doing it be aware of “how” you are feeling as you work on it. Wrap it up with your most vital thought or feeling. This is the real essence of the poem. It is the last lingering note of the song. Let it sit there for others to enjoy and absorb. There is no need to clarify it. This is also your essence that you send out, just like a prayer, into the universe. So whether you use writing poetry for relieving stress and tension, gaining insight or to express a heartfelt emotion, you can take it further and turn it into what you might call “real poetry” or leave it as is. Either way it will be a valuable signpost on your journey through life.
He Came 1. O how ill I’ve been. I thought I had the world in my hand Then illness came. I fell Pieces scattering around me, Some shattering Like broken glass Glinting thoughts and memories Through hazy sun rays O mist of pain! And into this This fog He came Hand held out Fingers brushing mine O Yes! O Yes! Cool touch on brow. I rise through flowers now. Heady blooms delighting me Silly blossoms laughing, dancing, Tiny flowers hard to see Under leaf, under tree. O yes He came! Such fragrant love What miracle! I saw him walk In the garden That is me. O yes, He came! He came some time ago Yet still the memory lingers on. He stood just here. In dirt and mud We cleared the weeds This Spring. I said: I saw Him here. I always thought the path Should go a different way Because I saw him here. My son paused And looked at me. Well, then, he said, We’ll move the path. And so we did. O mist of pain! He came! He came again In the garden That is me. My world fell apart No half a couple I. Fear And loneliness moved in. Dark clouds Submerging me Suffocating O mist of pain! I could not pray I fell away. A lesson taught A talk from the heart In sacrament And, did you know, As I sat there Comfort came and peace To the garden that was me. Sweet Prince of Peace! You came! You came for me. You came again. What miracle! Such fragrant love In the garden that was me. (written by a young woman) Time passes fast Soon tears will fall As you recall The fleetness of youth. Stand still For a moment Hold your breath Stop your running And wishing And ponder the past. Can’t you see how it hurried? Don’t you miss those sweet hours? Have patience, little girl, Close your eyes just a minute And you’ll wake to a new world. |
