Daily poetry… give it a try
I’ve been trying to follow my late friend Loran’s lead and read poetry first thing every morning. I alternate with affirmations and meditations, too.
It works.
It makes me calmer, keeps me from rushing into the world, hyperventilating; it makes me take a little minute and a little breath. Inhala/exhala, inhala/exhala, inhala/exhala… keep going.
Highly recommend for all ages. If morning doesn’t work for you, try a different time. Here are some titles (new and old favorites) that I’ve been reading:
“Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices,” by Paul Fleischman, with illustrations by Eric Beddows
“Ten Poems to Change Your Life,” by Roger Housdon
“The Little Book of Prayers,” edited by David Schiller
“Brave Enough,” by Cheryl Strayed
Shakespeare, always
“The Book of Delights,” by Ross Gay
“A Year with Rumi: Daily Readings,” Coleman Barks
“Teaching with Fire: Poetry That Sustains the Courage to Teach,” edited by Sam M. Intrator and Megan Scribner, with an introduction by Parker J. Palmer and Tom Vander Ark
“Prayers for Hope and Comfort: Reflections, Meditations and Inspirations,” Maggie Oman Shannon
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