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Poetry has an immense ability to transport us to another place, encouraging us to feel deeper and changing our perspective on whatever we’re dealing with.
In this blog post, I’ll share with you some of my latest poetry creations – all of which I’d classify as short poems of the day – which are valid for daily, routine life.
Short Poems Of The Day
The poems in this post are to read if you feel overwhelmed, out of sorts, in need of hope, or just downright ready for a new day to start!
After all, here’s the thing. You never need to wait for tomorrow to feel better.
You can read these poems today, shift into a new mindset, and begin RIGHT NOW to live your best life, whatever that looks like for you. It’s the little things that matter, after all.
Sometimes, all you need is something to take you away from the incessant noise of the mind, and a poem might be just the thing.
Love Poems
Let’s begin with the best.
After all, love is the strongest emotion felt by humans. Yet, think about it. Love as an emotion is intrinsically linked to its polar opposite – that being, the emotion of fear.
Why? Well, you simply cannot feel fear without feeling love first.
William Shakespeare, regarded as the greatest writer in the English language by many, left an indelible mark on the world of poetry with his mastery of ‘sonnets’.
Shakespeare’s sonnets are renowned for their exploration of profound themes that resonate with human experience, delving into feelings of love, loss, beauty, and the fleeting nature of time and the inevitable grave we all end up in.
Crafted with meticulous care to detail, Shakespeare’s sonnets adhere to a specific structure, consisting of 14 lines, typically written in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This consistent meter lends a musicality to the sonnets, enhancing their emotional impact and making them a delight to recite.
Shakespeare’s complete sonnet collection comprises 154 individual poems, each a testament to his linguistic prowess and emotional depth. I admit that Shakespeare is one of my idols, having fallen in love with Macbeth back in school. Yet it was years later I stumbled on his sonnets, and felt an immediate resonance.
Critics and readers alike have lauded Shakespeare’s sonnets for their linguistic virtuosity; their ability to evoke deeper emotions in the reader, and explore universal themes that transcend time and culture.
Shakespeare’s sonnets continue to be studied, performed, and enjoyed by audiences around the world, solidifying his position as a literary giant and a master of the sonnet form.
Inner Life
You’re probably thinking, why am I talking about Shakespeare?
What about Pablo Neruda or Rudyard Kipling, or even Edgar Allen Poe?
Or what about going back further still, to the time of Soloman in the bible? The sweet song of a psalm of life? (Another of my favorites, I admit)
I mean, there are contemporary poets who hark back to the 19th Century, and then there’s modern poetry, which is where we’re at now and what I write.
And then you’ve got history and poetry – centuries of beautiful melodic poems that always delve into the deeper depths of human emotion.
Basically, this is what I’m saying: HUMANS HAVEN’T CHANGED.
Which is why I love to talk about Shakespeare.
As a writer, he was unique and ahead of his time – writing during an age where freedom of expression was not so simple, and truly, health was scarce (think smallpox, plague, the worst of the worst…)
The poem I wrote below is an ode to Shakespeare’s style – written under his inspiration, although still my own signature rhythm.
(Thank you, Shakespeare, for your incredible talent and effort! If you’re up there listening, you’re amazing.)
Short Inspirational Poems
Some of my best poetry work has actually been written on a whim (sorry to say!) last thing at night when I’ve got a few spare minutes before one of our babies would wake up for a feed.
Poetry to me is like a best friend – it’s always there when you need it, whether it’s a long poem, a famous poem, or one you’ve just written yourself in the notes on your phone!
When writing the shortest poem, word choice is of the essence. In fact, every word needs to be crafted with solid intention – no word should ever be wasted.
Different Perspective
The greatest poems stimulate a new way of seeing life in the reader.
Whether it’s a bracing truth or a colossal wreck of an experience, classic poems truly ask us something of ourselves.
They make us reflect and re-evaluate our behavior. They might ask us to pause and take stock, favoring gratitude for what is rather than striving for whatever next glittery gadget takes our fancy.
Maya Angelou, a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance and a powerful voice for civil rights and social change, left an indelible mark on the literary world with her writing.
Her books, such as “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” provide a powerful and personal account of the struggles faced by African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement.
Angelou’s poetry and activism made her a symbol of resilience and empowerment. Her legacy as a voice for civil rights and social change remains a testament to the transformative power of literature and the human spirit.
And now, a question for you: What do you think of this poem below?
Of course, I’ve written it from my own point of view, so it perhaps won’t resonate, but maybe it will, considering all women are subject to societal trends, generational opinions, uninvited comments, and whatnot.
Tough Times
Let’s not put on our positive psychology faces unless we’re really feeling it, dear readers. The reality is that current times are challenging. We’re living in an unstable era politically, geographically, socially, and culturally, and no one knows when things will improve.
So, how do we keep a cheerful front during tough times?
Answer: You don’t. You don’t need to!
Falsely showing yourself as anything other than how you truly feel is a recipe for disaster. I say, be kind to yourself, and take each day as it comes, focusing on what you can actually control. That’s it. Be aware of the rest, sure, but don’t let it take over your life.
If good days seem few and far between, I hope this poem below offers some hope and respite.
I wrote it for a good friend who lost her husband suddenly, without warning, all while she was heavily pregnant with their second child. My heart breaks just thinking about it.
True Love
Poetry is a stylistic choice to show exactly how you feel for a special person in your life without having the need to actually say it out loud. I mean, if you’re like me, you mumble your words when you’re sitting face to face with someone and want to say something that comes from the best tune of your heart.
Love letters are beautiful, let’s just say that. And I’ve never known anyone to turn one down!
Those first lines of a love song written by yours truly, or the best verse from one of your favorite poems, really can mean the difference between a bog-standard note and reaching the highest peak on the love scale!
Poetry Collections
It would be silly of me not to mention that I have a combined poetry and prose book coming out in Spring 2024. And following that I plan to launch several books filled with my poems.
This book I’m sharing below in the image has been 3 years in the making, what with literally making babies and a shock surprise accident on the side of my husband, which meant the book took a backward step.
I’m by no means a perfectionist, but I want my best work to be put out there in the hope that it truly helps whoever reads it.
I wouldn’t necessarily class it in the classic poetry books section of a book store, yet it’s certainly needed in the times we find ourselves in!
Poets To Read
I truly believe poetry has wonderful benefits for our lives, both physically and mentally. It can slow you down better than a massage – plus it’s free!
If reading my poems inspires you to hunt for more poetry online, I recommend these names in addition to my own and Shakespeare’s to your Google search:
- Charlotte Bronte
- Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Margaret Atwood
- John Keats
- Joyce Kilmer
- Emily Dickinson
- Walt Whitman
- Jessica Urlichs
- Mary Elizabeth Frye
Summary
It’s late afternoon here now in the middle of Poland, where I am, sitting at our dining room table typing this post. My gorgeous boys, aged 3 and nearly 5, are watching a movie as the darkness outside draws in.
We’ve been sat inside most of the day as my husband had errands to run. It’s chucking it down outside, and in truth, it’s exactly the day I needed.
No to-do lists.
No appointments.
No client work.
Simply being with my boys. It’s all I need! And, of course, a few precious moments to write some poems…
What a blessing the days of the ordinary can be when we see it through the right lens.
For more of my poetry, check out these posts:
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