POETRY FROM LIFE

Several years ago, I joined a group of poets who entered an art gallery, viewed the pieces of work offered, chose one, and wrote poetry to the art. It was a unique experience. The poetry that came from these pieces was awesome; it was a true lesson in how the human mind differs from one person to the other, no matter what the level of talent.

Writing poetry has always been a satisfying experience for me. As a child, I had no money for birthday cards for classmates or family, so these people in my life received a poem for the occasion. I have continued to do this often as an adult, not because I cannot afford a card but I, and the recipient, enjoy the results. When my father-in-law died he still had a famed birthday poem hanging over his desk.

I write poetry when stressed, when happy, sad, or feeling a deep relation to God. When I was still working in a pressure-cooker job, I took a steno pad to my car, or drove to a nearby park, during my lunch hour and wrote poetry. I wrote to clear my head, or to pour our my emotions--love, anger, inspiration--in that form of creativity. I didn't wait. I wanted to be a writer who wrote--anytime, anywhere, day in, day out.

Whether writing poetry or in other genre, we need to be open at all times. We never know when an idea will fly by so we should be ready to catch it. Don't wait, all writing teachers/editors/experts say. If we want to be seen, known, or chosen as writers, we need to write, write, write. It's as simple as that.

We don't wait for inspiration. It won't knock at our door, or thump us on the head. Sit down at the computer. Read books, newspapers and magazines. Write a poem from a headline, or the topic of the piece.

Seek and ye shall find poetry from life.