"The purpose of playing... is to hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to nature (Shakespeare)." Observation becomes poetry; poetry becomes forms of play.
Defining Poetry
The word "poetry" has roots in the Greek poiesis, meaning "to make," and Aristotle’s concept of mimesis—the representation of nature. To reproduce nature, we must pay close attention to it, noticing the likeness and kinship between the natural world, our behaviors, and our inner lives. Writing and reading poetry requires us to connect with the world around us in meaningful ways.
Art as a Tool for the Good Life
Poetry, like all art, isn’t an escape: it’s a confrontation with truth and the complexities of life. It challenges us to look beyond surface-level realities to create meaning from the deepest aspects of our existence.
Art serves as a bridge between individuals. When we observe and connect with the world around us, we are able to develop a more harmonious, creative, and productive life.
Choosing a Poetic Approach for Reinvention
Writing is a process of refinement—an exploration of who we are and who we want to be. It empowers us to challenge old narratives and reshape our identities. Oscar Wilde’s notion that “my life resembles a work of art” captures the essence of this—through writing, we can reinvent ourselves.
An Invitation to Write: Exercises for Craft and for Personal Growth
If you're looking for inspiration to develop your craft and grow personally, I offer free writing exercises that focus on both. These exercises are designed to spark creativity, improve your writing skills, and deepen your self-exploration.
Whether you’re seeking mentorship or help in structuring and accountability, I’m here to support you.
Let’s talk! Sign up for a free, non-binding call to explore how we can collaborate and see if we’re a creative match.
I write only prose narrative (as my occasional attempts at poems loudly announce), but that prose is indebted to poetry on every level. Poetry teaches not only meaning and music through image, it teaches meaning as the music in an image. And that has made all the difference in how I choose words.