FREE PRINTABLE | THE USES OF SORROW BY MARY OLIVER

Years ago some dear friends and I collaborated on a group blog called the Transpacific Sketch Project where we shared bits of beauty we found throughout our days. It was wonderful. These friends of mine showed me the glories of the PS22 Chorus (how can you not fall in love with a group of schoolkids singing their hearts out), the Sound of Music Flashmob (I still watch this to cheer me up when I'm having a bad day), and an incredible amount of good poetry, art, and music. I miss those days of unapologetic earnestness. 

We were very young then, just as we are still quite young now. What I miss most about my younger self was my complete willingness to be overcome by the beauty of things. Small phrases, lost coins, the feel of pages beneath my fingers. Nothing was too small to be noticed. I savored words, craved them, sought voraciously for them. I found poetry this way.

Back then Mary Oliver filled my days, as did Li-Young Lee. With their voices in my head, the world abounded with possibilities, language took on a rich, surprising flavor. And over the years, I now understand that I have lost poetry by refusing, or neglecting, to pay attention. By allowing myself to become absorbed with the mundane, the external. So here is my attempt to resurrect the part of me that has lost its way. Today is for spring and for poetry.

Also, National Poetry Month is happening right now!

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*In an attempt to shake my mental creative black hole, my goal is to create a new printable most Fridays. Check out the free printables page to see if any strike your fancy. Share to your heart's content!