#Poetry: Keeping It Alive For Future Generations

Ink jar and quills
By: Charles Standford
@http://www.flickr.com/photos/84299143...

March 21
World Poetry Day



Happy World Poetry Day! World Poetry Day was declared an international holiday on March 21, 1999 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It purpose is to promote writing, publishing, reading and teaching poetry internationally. 
Ms. Irina Bokova, the General Director of the UNESCO stared in her address today, 
"Poetry is one of the purest expressions of linguistic freedom. It is a component of the identity of peoples and it embodies the creative energy of culture, for it can be continuously renewed. The power of poetry is transmitted from generation to generation, in the hallowed texts of great authors and in the works of anonymous poets. We are duty bound to transmit this heritage - the legacy of Homer, Li Bai, Tagore, Senghor and countless others - for it bears living witness to the countless diversity of humanity.  We, in turn, must tend it to bear fruit, as a source of linguistic wealth and dialoque."
You can learn more about International Poetry Day at http://www.un.org/en/events/poetryday/index.shtml
Poetry is a great way to express your inner emotions that are hard to articulate. They are also a great writing tool to use when you are trying to dig deeper into your characters. You can feel the heart and soul of your characters if you write a poem from their perspective. 
Writing poetry can be used to heal emotionally. Poetry allows you to dig deep into your innermost thoughts where you are forced to confront your emotions. It can be a painful experience but once it's on paper there is a cathartic release. The pain, joy, and any other emotion you were hiding now resides on the paper and not in your heart. Once you have it on paper you can burn the paper as a response that you are letting go of the pain. I have done this several times. 
In honor of International Poetry Day I would like to share with you one of my favorite poems from my new book, Reflections: Poems and Essays. 
I wrote this after my Grandmother Carr died. 

Grandma
The thought of death doesn’t elude meAs I sit upon the hard, cold groundJust beside your tombstoneBeckoning my sorrowsI never thought this day would come
Life without you, GrandmaSeems so unbearable Why did you leave me?Memories of the joyous days we shared fill my mindThe past my friendThe future without you, my enemy.Oh how I will miss your Laughter, wisdom, and love.
My heart cries with sorrow! Who will sing to me the songs of long ago?Who will listen to my stories?Who will share a strawberry shake with me? Who will I confide my secrets to?Now that you are gone?
Grandma, Oh Grandma!You taught me life-long lessonsAnd showered me with unconditional loveYou laid the foundations of my faithAnd taught me to chase my dreams
A world without youHow can I go on?My guide and friendBlessed by all who called you their grandmotherYou possessed a gentle heartKind spirit and unyielding faithMourned by manyYet only a few truly knew you
You, my gracious wise grandmotherRest with the angels nowReconnected with those who have gone on before you Never forgotten and always loved
I shall be the woman you want me to become.Never forgetting you or the lessons you have taught meGrandma, O GrandmaYour time has come.