Poetry and Small Stones

Poetry isn't something I was ever really drawn to... nor was I really very sure I understood it.  Grinning because I'm still not sure I understand it....

For many years now I've been invited to practice Lectio Divina with care-filledly selected poems by a woman I trust who leads our book groups here.  I've been pleasantly surprised and deeply touched by looking for a word or phrase that "shimmers" for me and following it's trail for a little while. (How is this word or phrase speaking to me and my life right now?)

Sometimes I really like playing with writing by removing all of the small words that, turns out, aren't so necessary after all (and, but, if, etc). For me, it's a practice in taking my thoughts and feelings down to the barest minimum ~ which can lead to greater clarity. 

And because I'm intentionally using less words, the ones I do use are selected with great care and intention. For me, there's something really sacred about this creative process.

*And* it's poetry!

I learned about writing small stones, a practice developed by a very dear and gentle Buddhist couple, Satya and Kaspa. Writing small stones has helped me to practice what I think poetry is really all about ... noticing and then writing it down.

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