I recently watched a video of the late French filmmaker Agnes Varda, who shared the true story of a woman who lost her memory and all she could recall were poems. She could recite Racine, Valéry, Prévert, and Baudelaire – but had forgotten everything else about her own life.
Varda wondered whether “non-realistic things in our lives remain more important than all the realistic memories of success or miseries we’ve experienced.” I agree with Varda, except for me poetry is as realistic as any lived memory – in fact more real sometimes. As Plato stated: "Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history".
A poem can capture the experiences of countless people, in just a few lines. A thousand feelings can be channeled into a handful of words. Poems stand the test of time more than any other form of literature. We still marvel at Rumi, ponder at Sylvia Plath, and laugh with Bukowski.
Despite poetry’s power, it can be one of the most intimidating art forms. Its strict rules of sonnets, stanzas, or haikus can keep many at bay of its beauty. On the surface, poems can appear to be either pompous, decorative, or overly-intellectual.
Yet, poetry doesn’t need to obey the standards of academia. It doesn’t even have to take the shape of written language. As I featured last year, poems can be visual, sonic, or even tactile.
As one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver, once wrote: "Poetry isn't a profession, it's a way of life. It's an empty basket; you put your life into it and make something out of that."
To celebrate National Poetry Month, I’m mailing a poetry mini-zine (below) featuring some of my favorite poems, to paid subscribers throughout the month. If you’ve received an analog gift from me in the past, then I already have your mailing address. If not, please let me know where to send it – you can email me at: sabrina@sevensenses.world
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your membership, now is a good time as I’m offering a 25% discount on annual subscriptions throughout the month of April. Paid subscribers enable me to continue doing this work. As a paid member, you also access special content (such as the Friendship Series and Present Sense) as well as a full library of guided meditations.
In Joy,
Sabrina
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I’ve had encounters with other artists who did not write poetry. He was intimidated by me. I loathe rejection in all forms. My sensitive nature can be soft-hearted to some. I am genuine and not interested in intellectualism. I write without any pretense or arrogance. More art should be honest and direct. Billy Collins is a hero of mine. I could care less if certain poets downplay his economic verse.
Always,
Celtic Moon
Que belleza. I love reading you... you are a poem! Thank you for the zine, I truly loved the poems selection. They came at such perfect time. Mil gracias querida 🤍