Recently I had the privilege of attending a poetry reading at my local library. What amazed me in this day and age of speedway art and technology was the vastness of the audience. Understanding that the attention span of those in the "need it yesterday" mentality, I was surprised, than happy to see a large throng of young people who were drawn to the event.
Two college professors were on tap to deliver quite the rendition of life experiences intergrated with prose. I surveyed the room for expressions of boredom but alas, was elated to see every face in the room drinking in the lyrics of the night. It made me realize that despite ourselves, we still crave amazingly, the basic art form that is poetry.
In teaching others I have a saying common to anyone I come in contact with. Its very simple. "If you can read-you got it!" Why do I say that? Well, many feel that they cannot learn anything new. Whether for a job or family decision, lets face it, we are all creatures of habit and comfortably so. I think if we think outside of the box and encourage our young people to read, they will discover a whole new world that may have been general swept under the rug in lieu of broader horizons in our modern age.
While continuing in my thoughts of how to inspire anyone who feels they are in a reading rut. I came up with a plan. One that combines two very diverse art forms. Reading and Poetry. You may laugh, but some do not consider poetry to be reading, more of a glide through the English language or whatever language you are fluent in. I propose a combination, thus integrating the best of both worlds.
No out of the ordinary criteria-but here is a simple challenge. Here is an example of some book titles I have turned to "prose":
The Shadow Club
When East Meets West
Towing The Line
In A Love Grown Cold
To Have And Have Not
A Meetings End
Soon Twilight
Gone Again
See, you can do it too!
How to begin:
1. Now here is where it gets good. Book titles selected for your poem must all be new books that you have not read yet.
2. Select at least 7 book titles. (sample above)
3. Pick a title or name for your poem.
3. Once you have assembled the titles and read the books I want to hear from you.
4. Take it to the next level. Create your own forum with the new titles and reviews.
5. Keeping it clean may be the challenge, but try. Young and young at heart will be reviewing your work.
6. Start a story board for your new found reads or a blog post to encourage others to write poetry, books, blogs posts or consider joining the wonderful world of entrepreneurialship by starting your own small publishing business like I did.
7. Organize a group.Two or three people will do. Go to your local library to start the hunt for good reads or establish a book club.
Have fun with this and remember, reading is fundamental not just because it stretches the mind but it can broaden your horizons and launch a new career path.
Can't wait to hear from you all!
Dawn
Two college professors were on tap to deliver quite the rendition of life experiences intergrated with prose. I surveyed the room for expressions of boredom but alas, was elated to see every face in the room drinking in the lyrics of the night. It made me realize that despite ourselves, we still crave amazingly, the basic art form that is poetry.
In teaching others I have a saying common to anyone I come in contact with. Its very simple. "If you can read-you got it!" Why do I say that? Well, many feel that they cannot learn anything new. Whether for a job or family decision, lets face it, we are all creatures of habit and comfortably so. I think if we think outside of the box and encourage our young people to read, they will discover a whole new world that may have been general swept under the rug in lieu of broader horizons in our modern age.
While continuing in my thoughts of how to inspire anyone who feels they are in a reading rut. I came up with a plan. One that combines two very diverse art forms. Reading and Poetry. You may laugh, but some do not consider poetry to be reading, more of a glide through the English language or whatever language you are fluent in. I propose a combination, thus integrating the best of both worlds.
No out of the ordinary criteria-but here is a simple challenge. Here is an example of some book titles I have turned to "prose":
The Shadow Club
When East Meets West
Towing The Line
In A Love Grown Cold
To Have And Have Not
A Meetings End
Soon Twilight
Gone Again
See, you can do it too!
How to begin:
1. Now here is where it gets good. Book titles selected for your poem must all be new books that you have not read yet.
2. Select at least 7 book titles. (sample above)
3. Pick a title or name for your poem.
3. Once you have assembled the titles and read the books I want to hear from you.
4. Take it to the next level. Create your own forum with the new titles and reviews.
5. Keeping it clean may be the challenge, but try. Young and young at heart will be reviewing your work.
6. Start a story board for your new found reads or a blog post to encourage others to write poetry, books, blogs posts or consider joining the wonderful world of entrepreneurialship by starting your own small publishing business like I did.
7. Organize a group.Two or three people will do. Go to your local library to start the hunt for good reads or establish a book club.
Have fun with this and remember, reading is fundamental not just because it stretches the mind but it can broaden your horizons and launch a new career path.
Can't wait to hear from you all!
Dawn
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