This year I was enrolled in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), a program that helps future pastors and spiritual leaders of all backgrounds to learn about themselves and how to care for others. One session we began with the Spiritual Practice of writing poetry. I immediately cringed, as even the mention of poetry brings back the horrors of having to deeply analyze the poem “The Bells” by Edgar Allen Poe. I’ve never thought of myself as a poet, and I was hesitant to engage.
However, I’m glad I did. Our leader that morning put 10 writing prompts on the screen, played some calming music and gave us 10 minutes to write. The writing prompts were simple, “what’s your favorite color”, “something soft…”, “something funny…”, and “a beverage that warms you up…”.
Jot down the first things that come to mind, and then use those notes to write a poem.
For example: Purple, quilt, cartoons, & hot chocolate
Saturday morning cartoons
Under the afgan my grandmother crocheted
Longing for a steaming mug of chocolate
To warm my nearly purple hands
This week we will provide you with a few prompts each day, and I encourage you to give it a try. Turn on your favorite Pandora or Spotify station and use this as a way to center yourself.