“You will be healed by the morning dew of truth.” — Dr. Maya Angelou

Poetry is far more than rhythmic words—it’s a source of healing.

Refuge

Poetry has been a refuge for me; from anger and sadness, from sorrow and pain, poetry has purged my from pores the darkness within. It has been a loyal friend through the lowest of lows. It carried me through the highest highs in the safety of its wings. The monumental moments of my life were shared with my poetry.

Reflections

As I reflect on my relationship with poetry, I discover that I rarely write poetry when life is just coasting along. Instead, when my heart is burdened by tragedy or in bliss reaching new milestones my pen flows in flurries, in agile verse, in melodic turns and phrases. It is likes peaks and valleys that call me back to my poetic pen once again.

Perhaps that is because I don’t need to express my feelings via poetry unless they’re particularly intense. Perhaps the cup of my emotions run over and poetry becomes the overflow. It is in poems I can find release.

Reality

Last year, when my 28-year-old cousin was killed in a tragic car accident, I wrote a poem in her honor. It didn’t bring her back. It didn’t really even make me feel better, but I was able to unload in a familiar way. I could envelop myself in the cozy corner of my poetry and as I huddled there my emotions turned and day followed night. Is I escaped into words they brought me full circle. In the hermitage of language I learned to cope, to deal, to grieve. Poetry allowed me to find healing and move on.

Remembrance

I will never forget my cousin. In writing in honor of her I expressed my feelings in a rhythmic wave. The waters splashed, soothing my soul.

And it still hurts. I write through the tears and then I come back to myself and realize that I am okay.

Realizations

Poetry is a lot of things to a lot of people. To me, it’s a soft place to fall. It’s a safe, warm home I can always come back to. And although I’ve never pursued poetry with passion for my writing career I find a passion for poetry deep in my soul. It is a dear friend that embraces me in the changing moments of my life.

My poetry may never win any awards. It may never be traditionally published. It might not be exceptional. But it is mine; uniquely, personally mine. It records the making-moments of my life. It reflects the me I am today and the me I am becoming. And that is all I need of it. That is all it needs to be.

That is what poetry is for me. What is poetry for you?

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