Whenever I read a beautiful poem, I feel nourished and warmed and I wonder why I don’t read more poems. The thing is, if we don’t have poetry in our daily routine, it’s hard to make a time and place for it. And it’s not exactly something we have to do. Ah, but did you know you can get paid to read poetry?
Not in dollars. But in lasting benefits. Reading poetry will bring you the benefits of more creativity, intelligence, peace, refreshment, and a stronger immune system. (Okay, I made up the part about the immune system, but I think it’s probably true.) Here are five ways to get more poetry into your life this year.
1) Have poetry OUT where you are. At the kitchen table, bathroom counter, refrigerator. Place a poem at your place at the table (or at everyone’s place, for that matter), and leave it there all week. Open a book to a poem you like, and set down a stone to lay the page flat. Read when you eat. If you take vitamins, take a poem along with your supplements.
2) Subscribe to the Writer’s Almanac. Read the poem of the day first thing in the morning (it shows up pretty early in your Inbox).
3) Go to a poetr
y reading. If you’re lucky enough to live in Portland, Oregon, January is our birthday celebration for the amazing poet William Stafford. There are 26 inspiring readings taking place around the area, sponsored by the Friends of William Stafford. Come to the reading I’ll be hosting at the Cascade Park Community Library on January 16!
4) Listen. You can hear poetry every day if you will really listen to lyrics of music you have on, or to your kids making up stories when playing. If you have a grandparent handy, notice the lilt of old phrases and quaint sayings.
5) Go back to your first favorite poem. If you haven’t thought of it for a while, find it. Put it in your email signature. Turn a phrase of it into a login password you use every day. Read it when you brush your teeth before bed.
Why deprive yourself? Poetry is calorie-free, adds brain power, helps you win at Scrabble, boosts your self-esteem, makes people fall in love with you, reminds you what is important to you, strengthens your intuition, aids you in making life choices, and introduces you to the most amazing people you’ll ever know.
