A poem is born from the depths of raw emotion—a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, homesickness, or lovesickness. Robert Frost, the celebrated poet and only four time Pulitzer Prize in Poetry winner, eloquently captures this essence. These profound feelings ignite the spark of creativity, transforming our deepest emotions into powerful, evocative verses.
When we experience a lump in the throat, it signals an overwhelming emotion that demands expression. It could be an unspoken truth or a poignant moment that touches the core of our being. This intense sensation often becomes the seed of a poem, urging us to put pen to paper.
A sense of wrong, on the other hand, stirs a desire to address injustices or express dissent. It’s a powerful motivator, pushing us to articulate our thoughts and feelings about the world around us. This drive can lead to some of the most compelling and thought-provoking poetry.
Homesickness and lovesickness are universal experiences that resonate deeply with many. The longing for home or a loved one can be profoundly moving, providing rich material for poetic exploration. These emotions are timeless, connecting readers and writers across generations and cultures.
Embrace these moments of intense emotion, for they are the seeds of poetic inspiration. Allow your feelings to flow onto the page, transforming your experiences into verses that capture the essence of your journey.
In this way, poetry becomes a powerful outlet for our innermost thoughts and feelings, allowing us to share our unique perspectives with the world.
Crush the barriers of self-doubt and unleash your creativity! Sylvia Plath’s words resonate deeply, reminding us that doubt can stifle the spark of imagination.
So, silence the whispers of uncertainty and believe in the boundless potential within you. Embrace the unique visions and ideas that stir in your soul, for they are the essence of your creative journey.
Let each stroke of your pen or brush be a declaration of confidence, a defiance against doubt’s grip. Trust in your abilities, trust in your voice, and watch as your creativity soars to new heights.
Remember, you are a vessel of inspiration, capable of shaping worlds with your imagination.
Embrace the journey of writing, imperfections and all!
Anne Lamott’s wisdom in “Bird by Bird” reminds us that every writer, no matter how seasoned, has faced the fear of writing poorly. So, banish the hesitation, silence the inner critic, and simply begin.
Trust that with each word you pen, the path will unfold, leading you to unexpected treasures of creativity and insight. Remember, it’s in the act of writing, in the courage to start despite doubts, that the magic truly happens.
So, let your words flow freely, knowing that within them lies the power to inspire, to provoke thought, and to transform lives.
Let your creative expression shine forth as a reflection of God’s glory!
Rooted in the belief that every talent and ability is a divine gift, Christians find inspiration in 1 Corinthians 10:31. Just as the heavens declare the glory of God, so too does your creativity serve as a testament to His greatness.
Whether through art, music, writing, or any other form of expression, each stroke of brilliance echoes His magnificence. As you cultivate and share your unique talents, you become a vessel through which His splendor is revealed to the world.
So, embrace your creativity wholeheartedly, knowing that in every creation, you are reflecting the beauty and wonder of the Creator Himself.
1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Rooted in the belief that we are crafted in the image of a creative God, Christians find inspiration in Genesis 1:27. Just as the Creator fashioned the universe with boundless imagination, so too are we endowed with the power to shape our worlds through creativity.
Let this understanding fuel your artistic endeavors, infusing every stroke of your pen or brush with the divine spark within you. As you harness this sacred gift, remember that your creations have the potential to reflect the beauty and wonder of the Creator Himself.
So, let your creativity flow freely, honoring the source from which it springs and illuminating the world with its radiance.
Genesis 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
Don’t wait for inspiration; create it! Let Joanna Penn’s wisdom ignite your creative flame.
The Muse doesn’t linger in the realm of wishes but eagerly awaits you in the act of creation. So, don’t hesitate, don’t procrastinate; pick up your pen and start writing.
Every word you craft, every sentence you mold, beckons her closer, ready to infuse your work with magic. Embrace the journey of creation, knowing that with each stroke, you draw closer to your artistic destiny.
Let your imagination soar, let your ideas flow, and let the Muse guide you on this enchanting voyage of storytelling.
Author Joan Didion says, “I write nonfiction to share my inner most thoughts on how I’ve navigated life’s challenges. I write fiction to imagine and create new worlds, characters, and narratives. I write poetry because I simply must.”
In San Francisco, it’s the summer of love,
Long-haired hippies, peace signs, and doves.
In Vietnam, the soldiers are dying,
Back home their families are crying,
And Sergeant Pepper taught the band to play.
Jim wants to “Light My Fire,”
While Grace’s rabbit only flies higher.
The evening news shows the war isn’t cool,
This week I started high school,
And “All You Need Is Love” is what The Beatles say.
Written by Jimmie Aaron Kepler
Schertz, Texas, August 1967
Grace Slick today at age 79
The photos are of Grace Slick. She is an alumna of Finch College where she majored in art. She is an accomplished artist. The artwork is hers.
Note: This is the oldest poem I have written by me. It was in notebooks and papers my mother gave me a few months before she passed away in 2014. Aren’t parents great about keeping things and then later in life returning them?
I wrotethispoem as a freshman at Samuel Clemens High School in Schertz, Texas. Samuel Clemens High School was two miles outside the main gate at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
Impressing, my English teacherwaschallenging. Theassignmentwas to write a paper on “What I did on my summervacation.” Instead, I wrote about whatwashappening in popularculture. Instead of prose, I wrote a poem. I failed to follow the rules. Shecalled me a “beatnik hippy poetweirdo.” I viewed her insult as a compliment! I gave in, complied with her orders, and wrote five pages of drivelavoiding a grade of “F” on the assignment. I wrote about hitchhiking to the San Francisco, California and the “Summer of Love.”.
“Starting High School” is from the forthcoming book “Jimmie Aaron Kepler: Selected Poems” from Poetry and Prayer Press.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and his wife Fanny Appleton Longfellow. Longfellow is pictured as a younger man without his famous long, white beard. He grew the beard because the facial injuries from the fire that killed Fanny prevented him from shaving. Photo source: https://civilwarbookofdays.org/2011/07/08/henry-wadsworth-longfellow-and-the-civil-war/
Christmas Bells
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said:
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!”
Written Christmas Morning 1863
“Christmas Bells” is a minor, yet well known, poem written by a very melancholy Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Christmas morning in 1863 during the midst of the Civil War. It is an anti-slavery poem as well as a seasonal favorite.
Mourning the Death of His Wife Fanny Appleton Longfellow
The poem was written six months after the battle of Gettysburg where 40,000 soldiers lost their lives. In addition to despairing over the bloody war, Henry was also mourning the death of his beloved wife Fanny Appleton Longfellow. Fanny died in a tragic fire the same year that the Civil War broke out. In November of 1862, another personal tragedy added to his pain. His son, Union Lieutenant Charles Appleton, was wounded in the Army of the Potomac.
Written at Craigie House in Cambridge, Massachusetts
On Christmas morning in 1863, while sitting at his desk at the Craigie House in Cambridge, MA, Henry was inspired to write a poem as he listened to the church bells pealing. Their constancy and joyous ringing inspired him to write “Christmas Bells.” In spite of his sadness, Longfellow expresses his belief in God and innate optimism that indeed:
God is not dead; nor doth he sleep
The Wrong shall fail;
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!
Adapted into a Christmas Carol by John B. Caulkin
Sometime after 1872, Longfellow’s poem was adapted into a Christmas Carol. John B. Caulkin (1827-1905) was a famous English composer who set the lyrics to a gentle, melodic tune that is reminiscent of bells ringing. The carol is entitled “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” Alternative tunes have been written for the lyrics but Caulkin’s melody remains predominant.
I lived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire from February 1966 – the last day of April 1967. I was in the seventh and eighth grades. My father was in the United States Air Force at the time. As a student at Portsmouth Junior High School, I took field trips to both Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine and Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Longfellow was a Bowdoin College graduate and was a faculty member before moving to Cambridge to teach at Harvard.
Classical Education with Understanding and Appreciation of the Arts
We placed great emphasis when I was in junior high school on classical education with understanding and appreciation of the arts including poetry. Only my university and seminary education had a greater impact on me than my short two years in New England public schools.
