I am so very proud of all your nice work.

 

I know it’s hard to open your hearts and write a good poem and

then go back with a scalpel and cut out lines you have written.

 

And then how difficult it must be to have someone like me or your

tutors who barely know you go through your poem and cut more?

 

I want you all to enjoy the process—to have fun with it, to devour

it like Crème brulee. I want you to jump into an ocean of words

and pick out just the exact ones you need to write precisely what

you feel. Or read each other’s poems and get that “Aha” moment.

 

Don’t fight your poem. Just start to write it and see where it takes you.

If that doesn’t work, put it aside for later, or scrap it and start over

in a whole new direction—one you feel better about.

 

Why do we write poems? We write to get out anger or lingering hurt

or maybe excitement or hope or love.

 

We write to connect with others…to know we’re not alone,

to maybe bring us warmth on a cold and rainy day…to help us

make progress in our journey through the twisted roads of life…

to share our fears and tears in gray days of Covid and Omicron.

 

Poetry is a life preserver—grab it quickly before you drown.

Breathe deeply, exhale, and smile. Remember to laugh and dance.