Being a better poet

If your everyday life seems poor, don't

blame it; blame yourself: admit to

yourself that you are not enough of a poet

to call forth its riches; because for the

creator there is no poverty and no poor

indifferent place.   ~Rainer Maria Rilke

 

You are here and have no one to blame by yourself."  ~Ziggy

 

Sometimes we see our lives in negative terms, because of low moods, being overwhelmed by our immediate circumstances, seeing no end to our struggles or being worried about the future. 

 

At those time, we are often afraid. Fear is a very compelling fraud, making many of us believe we have no choices, leaving us cowering amidst our situation instead of remembering to be brave.

 

When we find ourselves in this place, often we search for a reason. Rilke and Ziggy offer us the same reason -- ourselves. 

Our lives are poems; compositions written in the compressed and resonant language of living, conveying our experiences, emotions or simply an aesthetically pleasing journey.*  We are the poets, making the choices of the words, and the results of our compositions are reflected in that. 

 

Do we encounter circumstances beyond our control? Absolutely. But a poet, a good poet, embraces those times and writes not just what is, but where it can lead, what it can bring, what the Creator can (and will if we ask) provide in response. 

 

A good poet then uses those words, those thoughts, those beliefs, by casting them out into the world -- by being brave -- calling on the universe to sit up, take notice, do its part and deliver. 

 

There are always choices. We might not like any of them, but if we choose forward motion and then cast into the universe our desire for better choices tomorrow, it delivers. 

 

Today, resolve to be a better poet. To do it, we only need remember to be brave. 

* Drury, J. The Poetry Dictionary,1995. Cincinnati, OH: Story Press. Pg. 204