Poetry for Life

🌿 A Poetic Pause: Honoring National Wellness Month August is National Wellness Month,  a time to slow down, breathe deeply, and care for ourselves with greater intention. Wellness isn’t just green smoothies and yoga mats. It’s boundaries. It’s breath. It’s healing. It’s poetry. ✍🏾 Why Poetry Is a Wellness Practice Poetry gives us space to reflect, release, and reconnect. When life feels noisy or overwhelming, writing a poem can help us listen inward. In the words of Audre Lorde, “Poetry is not a luxury. It is a vital necessity.” This August, I invite you to incorporate poetry into your wellness practice. Whether you're journaling your feelings, describing a sunrise, or writing your own affirmations, each line can be a form of self-care. Wellness-related poetry "Love After Love" by Derek Walcott "A Blessing for One Who is Exhausted" by John O'Donohue "Heavy" by Mary Oliver 🌱 Try This: A Wellness Writing Prompt Use this prompt to start...

🌲  July Joy: Celebrating National Parks Through Poetry July isn’t just about fireworks and summer sun; it’s also National Park and Recreation Month , a time to pause, step outside, and experience nature in all its glory. Whether you’re hiking through a state forest, pausing by a still lake, or simply sitting under the shade of a tree in your neighborhood park, nature offers endless inspiration, and poetry helps us capture that wonder. 🍃 Why Nature and Poetry Go Hand in Hand Nature is a poem already in motion. It speaks in the language of birdcalls, rustling leaves, wildflowers, and sunsets. Writing poetry about nature allows us to reflect, connect, and find peace in the world around us. This month, I invite you to let the outdoors awaken your creative spirit. ✍🏾 Tips for Writing Nature Poetry: Inspired by Writer's Relief's guide , here are a few ways to get started: Observe closely : What do you hear, smell, and feel? Go beyond just “trees” or “sky”, what textures,...

Happy Pride Month! It's a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, their achievements, and their contributions to various fields, including the world of poetry. If you're looking for a unique way to honor Pride Month while indulging in the beauty of words, we've got you covered. In this blog post, we'll explore the works of renowned LGBT poets and provide you with resources to dive deeper into their poetry. Discover the Voices: To embark on this poetic journey, let's start by delving into the works of some famous LGBT poets. These individuals have not only crafted incredible poetry but have also contributed to shaping and expressing the LGBTQ+ experience through their art. Here are a few notable names to explore: Walt Whitman James Baldwin Alice Walker Georgia Douglas Johnson Oscar Wilde Their works carry profound emotions, captivating narratives, and powerful expressions of identity, love, and acceptance. Take the time to immerse yourself in their poetry and appreci...

"There's a reason poets often say, 'Poetry saved my life,' for often the blank page is the only one listening to the soul's suffering, the only one registering the story completely, the only one receiving all softly and without condemnation." —Clarissa Pinkola Estes May is not only the month of blooming flowers and warmer weather but also a time to shed light on an equally important topic: mental health. As we embrace Mental Health Awareness Month, it is essential to explore various avenues that promote healing and self-expression. One such avenue that holds tremendous power is poetry.  The Art of Catharsis: Poetry is a form of catharsis (purifying and purging of emotion) for individuals navigating the complexities of mental health. It provides an outlet for emotions that may be difficult to articulate in ordinary conversation. Through the rhythmic flow of words, poets can express their deepest fears, sorrows, and hopes. The act of writing poetry becomes a hea...

National Poetry Month was inaugurated by the  Academy of American Poets  in 1996. It has become the largest literary celebration in the world celebrating poetry. The celebration of this month aims to: highlight the achievement of  poets , encourage the reading of  po etry, encourage increased publication and distribution of  poetry and  encourage support for  poets and poetry . Here are some ways to celebrate -  https://www.poets.org/national-poetry-month/30-ways-celebrate-national-poetry-month Enjoy!!!!!!!

March 1st is National Education Association's Read Across America Day! It is the opportunity to encourage people reading of all ages across the states. It is a time to encourage the reading of all books of all genres including our favorite, poetry. So, pickup up a book and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Venture into a new world through a book! Here is more information about this day and ways to celebrate -  http://www.nea.org/grants/73502.htm Happy Reading!