How to be a Poet

Small collage by Donna Watson

NOTE:  ANOTHER WORKSHOP:  Oct. 1-2, 2015,  A ZEN GARDEN with Folded Books.

A 2 day workshop in Virginia Beach, VA.  For more information on how to register, supply list, location, go to website:  www.artandsoulretreat.com  

Oct. 3-4, 2015, BORO/WABI SABI:  The Spirit of Collage.  A 2 day workshop in Virginia Beach, VA.  For more information go to website:  www.artandsoulretreat.com  

Small collage by Donna Watson

I am always amazed when I meet a visual artist who paints, or uses collage, or does photography and can also write well...  and those who write poetry are even more impressive to me.  It is like they have been doubly gifted.  I love words and words that convey visual imagery are even more beautiful.

Several years ago I watched a Korean movie (with subtitles) titled POETRY.  It was about an older woman who took a class on how to write poetry and she struggled to find any poetry or words to write.  And she looked outwards, like sitting under a plum tree, to find inspiration... but none ever came.  The ending of the movie is beautiful, and has stayed with me all these years and I highly recommend the movie.  Perhaps this poem will help too:

HOW TO BE A POET

Make a place to sit down.

Sit down.  Be quiet.

You must depend upon

affection, reading, knowledge,

skill --- more of each

than you have --- inspiration,

work, growing older, patience,

for patience joins time 

to eternity.  Any readers 

who like your poems,

doubt their judgement.

A smalll collage by Donna Watson

...  Accept what comes from silence.

Make the best you can of it.

Of the little words that come

out of silence, like prayers

prayed back to the one who prays,

make a poem that does not disturb

the silence from which it came.

--- Wendell Berry

A small collage by Donna Watson