I love poetry because it makes me focus in on life. To me, poetry is the zen meditation of literature. You experience it fully in the moment. You have to see it, hear it. Each word has weight and meaning. You take it in as a whole and let the mood and the rhythm surround you and then it seeps into you. You listen to it like music, closely, you breathe it in. You picture it in your mind’s eye in a quiet place where you are completely present to the poem and nothing else.

There’s immediateness to a poem, a now-ness. Even when the poem is describing something in the past. Poetry is like prayer. It’s a conversation with or an homage to God, or the life force of the universe. It acknowledges that creation – the world, the universe – is at the same time fragile and powerful, insignificant and important, microscopic and vast.

Some people think writing and reading poetry is a hoity-toity activity for intellectuals who have nothing better to do all day. Most art can be seen as a luxury not accessible or meaningful for those of us who have to work for a living. That statement alone carries so much baggage. As if writing poetry or creating any kind of art isn’t work and isn’t important. Ask any artist about how easy their lives must be – then be prepared to either get an earful or for them to walk away in disgust.

I would like to see poetry a day-to-day part of everyone’s lives. Even if it serves no other purpose than to brighten, if only for a moment, an otherwise dull, difficult existence. Poetry can bring beauty, but it can also empower, inspire, and even incite to action.

Why is poetry important to you? How can we bring poetry into people’s daily lives? Has there been a time in your life when a poem made a difference in your life or changed your perspective? I would love to hear other people’s thoughts on this subject. Please leave them in the comments below. And happy National Poetry Month!