Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
I have added one more thing to my morning ritual recently, recalling my experience at the Women’s Art Institute.
In our morning sessions, we read poetry out loud to reflect on before engaging in a free-form, no-self-editing writing practice.
As the summer course drew to a close, everyone expressed how much they would miss the poetry.
I laugh now. Poetry has always been there.
After meditating, I pause and read one or two poems from a range of poets I have been introduced to or have discovered on my own. Talk about a creative way to start the day.
Here is a short list of my favorites:
bell hooks (I highly recommend her book All About Love)
Billy Collins (My Dad introduced me to Billy. I love Billy’s observation and subtle humor)
Mary Oliver (do I need to say more?)
Maggie Smith (oh my god, Goldenrod)
Elizabeth Weir I met Elizabeth at the 23rd Annual Poet Artist Collaboration at Red Wing Arts. I made an ink drawing based on her poem The Eyes of Morning for the event.
William Stafford (his poem The Way It Is is poignant)
Naomi Shihab Nye
Dominique Miller
I hope you chime in with your poet love, too. Leave your favorites in the comments.
