One Small Poem
Tiny Lights, Poem 1
“We are colored only by our place on the turning…each a magnificent speck.”
The inspiration for this poem…
A version of this poem entitled “My Universal Poem” was first published on-line at Global Poemic: Kindred Voices on the Era of Covid 19 (link below). It grew out of both a growing frustration at feeling isolated and an overwhelming sense that we are all connected in ways far bigger than we see- ways that are universal, perhaps even cosmic. I imagined being in space looking back at our planet seeing a more expansive point of view including how we must look as colorless, moving beings responding more than we know to such things as tides, light, and instincts. I also found the song From a Distance a great source of inspiration (see prompt below) in taking me back to another time of great loss in my life when I also needed to look beyond.
Writing/Meditation Prompts:
Go to Global Poemic and check out the poems of that time paired with beautiful pieces of art. Even though they are no longer taking submissions they have left these up to honor such a significant time in our collective lives. How does it feel to revisit that time? What emotions arise? How have you weathered that storm? What did you learn, or what would you do differently?
Listen to From a Distance and write down some lines that stand out or thoughts that arise.
Imagine yourself as a small speck on the planet along with ~7.9 billion others. What do you notice? Now imagine yourself out in space looking back. Write or draw your thoughts or images.
Have you had a great loss that needs to be put into words, honored, or simply remembered?
How might you share your writing and with whom? There are many on-line spaces for submitting poetry- there’s a whole poetry community out there! Check it out (ie. Button Poetry, Rattle, Poetry Lovers…)