A Story Of Life—In Poetry
Poetry fascinates me. While I don’t consider myself a poet I have written quite a few children’s stories in rhyme. I love the cadence and the sounds of the words.
When I was in high school, I recall required reading of Shakespeare and honestly in some cases, couldn’t figure out just what he was saying; and that was true of other authors who wrote poetry, as well. My favorite, during that time period, was the poem, ‘The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. I clearly understood what he was saying and it has resonated with me throughout my entire life. The last lines of that famous poem:
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
I’ve wondered about my life, and taking that road which is different. How can a body know if it’s the ‘right’ road, until it’s been traveled? We all make choices and each choice affects not only our lives but the lives of others around us. I think it’s fascinating that these lines of a poet so many years ago can still impact its readers.
Of course not all poetry makes that kind of impact, but words can, and do, changes lives. They can give meaning, inspire, challenge and even destroy. Poetry can tell stories about our lives in unique ways. It’s the perfect venue for using descriptive phrases to capture thoughts which otherwise seem distorted.
Have you ever wondered who can write poetry…..poetry that matters? I believe any one can when they write with (or from) their heart. It doesn’t have to be explosive, grand or even beautiful to any one but the reader. But this type of writing (as well as others) is often used to tell stories about life—-about their experiences, anger, love, resignation, challenges, heartache, grief, frustration, and questions. I think even Robert Frost did that in his poem.
While we all have problems and struggles in life, the disability people group, have unique challenges. The rejection, exclusion, daily pain, inability to conquer life the same as their peers, is a story to be told! That said, their triumphs are also part of their journey. These stories in rhyme, cadence or otherwise written are worth reading, but are also cathartic in their penning.
That process is no less true for the non-disabled. Putting words on paper (or digitally) is a creative way to collect our thoughts however random, they may seem. It’s a form of cleansing, refreshing, and freeing ourselves of thoughts which may haunt us, defy understanding, and destroy. Conversely, words we have written are also a way to reassure us, to motivate, activate and spur us onward when we need to hear it.
The words we pen need not necessarily be written in rhyme or verse, but some just seem to come out that way. The words do, however, need to be honest and genuine. These are the kinds of motivating activities which can influence us to be the best we can be, wherever we find ourselves in life.
Have you ever tried to write a poem, perhaps even a single verse about your life? Just thinking about the random thoughts you have, then written on paper may be the perfect activity to help you sort out problems, find answers which may surprise you, or just give you satisfaction for having tried.
It’s poetry month! Give it a try!
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Photo Credit: https://poets.org/anthology/poems-your-poetry-project-public-domain