I built on the previous workshop on metaphors and focused more this time on the healing aspects of writing for this live Wednesday Workshop, particularly poetic writing, especially since this was also streamed during National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo).
I believe we can use writing as a central tool in our spiritual work, mental work, to build confidence, self-awareness, self-esteem, socio-political consciousness, and so much more.
Poetry can be a polarizing subject. I know from my years of teaching writing. There’s lots of confusion and mystery and myth around it, even minor traumas for some. People either love it or hate or they’re completely apathetic. In this workshop, however, I focused on poetry for it’s spiritual and political utility, quoting Audre Lorde (which I featured in the Colorism Poems anthology):
“Poetry is not a luxury. It is a vital necessity of our existence. It forms the quality of the light within which we predicate our hopes and dreams toward survival and change, first made into language, then into idea, then into more tangible action.”
Audre Lorde, “Poetry is Not a Luxury”
Poetry is not escapism, for me as I approach it here. It is a tool we use in the world to help us create our world.
I used Lucille Clifton’s poem “What the Mirror Said” as the model text. After reading it, try the following writing prompt:
- Think of a difficult situation you’ve experienced, past or present, deep or not.
- Think of yourself in that situation and brainstorm possible metaphors for who you are/were in that situation. Who or what are you in that difficult situation?
- Choose a metaphor and stick with it. Extend it into a poem.
My Example:
You’re a notebook woman. You’ve got reams of potential, so much to say. You are the author of your own life. They try to shut you, close you, rip out your insides, tear you down your spine, burn your substance to ashes. But you a notebook, woman, and there will always be another page.
After you give the prompt a try, send me a message and let me know how it goes!
Homework: Give another try at using poetry to reflect on difficult situations.
Affirmation: You are somebody. You are worthy. You are valuable.
Sincerely, Sarah.