Leave Space for Poetry
We’re midway through poetry month, and I just want to remind you to leave space for poetry in your life. Why? According to Chef Massimo Bottura, “The secret of life, of a happy life, is: leave a little space open for poetry in which you can jump in and imagine the unimaginable.”
Poetry is fashionable, according to Vogue, and I can’t disagree. I really love it when there is a cross-pollination in the arts, and so I love this from the article:
“Whether on a catwalk, in a gallery or on a stage, printed on the page or carefully stitched into fabric, the dialogue between poetry and fashion presents plenty of glorious possibilities. Designers pay homage to works that have moved them, whether literally or by way of inventive interpretation. Poets grapple with the intricacies of our sartorial choices. Performances are augmented by careful costuming decisions. Massiah is quick to praise this creative cross-pollination, advocating “finding new ways to connect with other fields and industries, such as fashion, art, film, technology and music, to broaden our reach and heighten our presence within the cultural landscape”. Sometimes, too, it’s just a matter of appreciation and being continually, hungrily receptive to what’s around us. “All art forms are enriched by other forms of art,” notes Key, “and fashion is no exception.””
There are many lovely ways to celebrate National Poetry Month, including putting a poem in your pocket this Thursday. Check out Poets.org for some poems you can print off and some ideas for sharing a poem. I personally like the idea of handwriting your favourite poem and bestowing it to some worthy soul, or just leaving it in a public space for someone to pick up.
If you’re looking for some Canadian content, there is Canadian Poetry Online, or The League of Canadian Poets. The League also has a printable PDF of Canadian poetry.
Do you have a favourite poem that you like to share? Let me know in the comments.