Poem
This morning I listened to the November 1, 2018 podcast of On Being; the conversation between host Krista Tippett and Tracy K Smith, the current United States poet laureate. She is also the director of the creative writing program at Princeton University, host of a postcast, and the author of several books, the latest of which is American Journal: Fifty Poems For Our Time.
Ms. Smith says: “…poetry facilitates this thing that says, OK, we’re not going to be talking at each other or speculating about each other, but rather opening ourselves up to something, a voice on a page, and talking about what that speaks to.”
When I work for/with others whether in a counseling or another teaching role, I often suggest writing as a way of opening oneself up to the truth about what one is thinking and/or feeling. For me, honesty is a necessary perquisite to taking the next step. The adage which is found in many academy settings “The truth shall set you free.” is also found in the New Testament in John. It is alleged to have been spoken by Jesus. My understanding in that in both John and James Jesus is stating that one must walk the talk.
Often when I write I find that the truth which I though I was living is very different than the truth I am actually living. As all my friends, acquaintances, and readers of this blog know I can be extremely verbose; so much so that I get lost in my own words. When I give myself permission to write down my truth in the form of a poem I am limited to the kernels of truth which will reveal the reality of who I am at that moment. The poem unwraps the layers which cover that small kernel of truth. For example, yesterday the covering layer with which I began was righteous anger. I wrote:
Layer 1
How dare they?
Who do they think they are?
Really, this is their excuse?
Layer 2
What if?
I am afraid that …
Layer 3
Did I rush through writing that document?
Is my laziness in proofreading going to….?
Layer 4
Fear creates a mountain of anger.
Driving away the voices of sanity.
Layer 5
Breathe
I will deal with whatever lessons life presents.
Breathe
Layer 6
Old messages discounting my worth
silently wait in that book of memories.
A tone, a word, a perceived sight, or even a smell
rings the bells which triggers the fear which
calls up the righteous anger which pushes away.
Layer 7
I am not my fear
my isolation
my righteous anger.
Layer 8
I am.
Written November 2, 2018
This morning I listened to the November 1, 2018 podcast of On Being; the conversation between host Krista Tippett and Tracy K Smith, the current United States poet laureate. She is also the director of the creative writing program at Princeton University, host of a postcast, and the author of several books, the latest of which is American Journal: Fifty Poems For Our Time.
Ms. Smith says: “…poetry facilitates this thing that says, OK, we’re not going to be talking at each other or speculating about each other, but rather opening ourselves up to something, a voice on a page, and talking about what that speaks to.”
When I work for/with others whether in a counseling or another teaching role, I often suggest writing as a way of opening oneself up to the truth about what one is thinking and/or feeling. For me, honesty is a necessary perquisite to taking the next step. The adage which is found in many academy settings “The truth shall set you free.” is also found in the New Testament in John. It is alleged to have been spoken by Jesus. My understanding in that in both John and James Jesus is stating that one must walk the talk.
Often when I write I find that the truth which I though I was living is very different than the truth I am actually living. As all my friends, acquaintances, and readers of this blog know I can be extremely verbose; so much so that I get lost in my own words. When I give myself permission to write down my truth in the form of a poem I am limited to the kernels of truth which will reveal the reality of who I am at that moment. The poem unwraps the layers which cover that small kernel of truth. For example, yesterday the covering layer with which I began was righteous anger. I wrote:
Layer 1
How dare they?
Who do they think they are?
Really, this is their excuse?
Layer 2
What if?
I am afraid that …
Layer 3
Did I rush through writing that document?
Is my laziness in proofreading going to….?
Layer 4
Fear creates a mountain of anger.
Driving away the voices of sanity.
Layer 5
Breathe
I will deal with whatever lessons life presents.
Breathe
Layer 6
Old messages discounting my worth
silently wait in that book of memories.
A tone, a word, a perceived sight, or even a smell
rings the bells which triggers the fear which
calls up the righteous anger which pushes away.
Layer 7
I am not my fear
my isolation
my righteous anger.
Layer 8
I am.
Written November 2, 2018
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