~ The Poet's Place Cafe~

by Jay O'Toole

Rated: E · Message Forum · Writing · #1937709

A place for discussion on poetry, reviews, contests, etc.

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Apr 19, 2021 at 3:12pm

#3416707

DISCUSSION: Expanding Awareness

by Dave

Just like the ripples emanating from the point a stone splashes into a pond, waves of consciousness flow from points of stimulation.

By reading, sharing experiences, watching, listening, and reflecting in solitude, we collect an ample reservoir of perceptions from which we can draw for further expansion. Life is the teacher. To learn from the teacher, we must train ourselves to pay attention to life in minute detail, as Carl Sandburg did before writing his poem

Passers-By

Out of your many faces
Flash memories to me
Now at the day end
Away from the sidewalks
Where your shoe soles traveled
And your voices rose and blend
To form the city's afternoon roar
Hindering an old silence.

Passers-by,
I remember lean ones among you,
Throats in the clutch of a hope,
Lips written over with strivings,
Mouths that kiss only for love.
Records of great wishes slept with,
Held long
And prayed and toiled for. .

Yes,
Written on
Your mouths
And your throats
I read them
When you passed by.

In writing poetry, we familiarize ourselves with the concept of internal as well as external observation. We watch the world around us; we watch emotions; we watch reactions, and we listen to the whispers from that great multidimensional creature who resides deep within each of us. By giving ourselves permission to go off on tangents, explore various impressions, play with words, and surrender to surprise and discovery, we get to know ourselves in a new way.

Your assignment: Write a poem about some everyday task. Turn your imagination loose to guide your powers of association into several levels of awareness.

Let the creativity flow from your soul!