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Finding What You Didn't Lose
Poetry discovers and speaks a truth ordinary language cannot express. And the passionate message in Finding What You Didn't Lose is that we're all poets--capable of giving voice to such truth.
Poet-teacher John Fox reveals how imagery, sound, metaphor, rhythm, and other poetic elements can he us tell our inner story, heal psychological wounds, discover spiritual connection, and develop the rich creative imagination that lies within us all.
Transcending the traditional academic approach to poetry writing, Finding What You Didn't Lose deals with craft but, more importantly, guides readers to explore their deepest feelings and express their own unique insights through the incomparable language of poetry.
Through an intermingling of inventive exercises and illustrative poems--ranging from Nobel Prize winners to first-time poets--readers are inspired to add their own distinct voice to a world fellowship of poets. For those who already write poetry, and the many more who want to, this book is the key to finding what you never your natural inclination to express who you are through the making of poems.
Poet-teacher John Fox reveals how imagery, sound, metaphor, rhythm, and other poetic elements can he us tell our inner story, heal psychological wounds, discover spiritual connection, and develop the rich creative imagination that lies within us all.
Transcending the traditional academic approach to poetry writing, Finding What You Didn't Lose deals with craft but, more importantly, guides readers to explore their deepest feelings and express their own unique insights through the incomparable language of poetry.
Through an intermingling of inventive exercises and illustrative poems--ranging from Nobel Prize winners to first-time poets--readers are inspired to add their own distinct voice to a world fellowship of poets. For those who already write poetry, and the many more who want to, this book is the key to finding what you never your natural inclination to express who you are through the making of poems.
- GenresPoetryWritingNonfiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 21, 2013
This book is a poetry / journaling guide. There are a lot of nice exercises in it that I will work through at another time - right now I just wanted to read it as a whole and see what it had to offer.
The format was a little dense- kind of hard to get a real handle on the meat of each chapter with all the distracting side-poems and all. I would've enjoyed a different approach, I believe - one that made it easier to follow from theme to directions to exercise.
Still, overall it seems like a nice book particularly if you are new to writing poetry or if you are looking to write on a deeper level about some of your past traumas and/or experiences.
The format was a little dense- kind of hard to get a real handle on the meat of each chapter with all the distracting side-poems and all. I would've enjoyed a different approach, I believe - one that made it easier to follow from theme to directions to exercise.
Still, overall it seems like a nice book particularly if you are new to writing poetry or if you are looking to write on a deeper level about some of your past traumas and/or experiences.
February 2, 2011
Instructions for reclaiming your inner poet.
April 21, 2013
An excellent exploration of the power of poetry. Filled with margin notes of quotes about poetry and the result of writing, the book is a treasure trove of information on the tools that give force to language: images, metaphor, personal meaning, regular writing. It can be read from front to back, but it can also be dipped into and enjoyed in small (or large) doses.
August 29, 2011
Listening with you whole body and being introduces to your poetic voice is the key to this book.
The exercises in this book will enlighten each of us into embracing our self expression and the gift of our true self.
The exercises in this book will enlighten each of us into embracing our self expression and the gift of our true self.
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August 8, 2011A great book for writers who feel like they've lost their voice.
July 24, 2024
This book is on poetry therapy, which I didn't know existed though I can relate. I pulled it off my shelf, started reading and doing some writing, then gifted to a former student who was at a crossroads who since has completed an MFA. I happen to think it is an excellent poetry workshop book. The reason I like this one is because it is full of amateur poetry. I'm not sure professional examples are the best food for a potential writer, at least not as a steady diet. Read some things by somebody who may just be more like yourself. I like Keats as much as anybody and you can learn a ton from Keats, but he can be intimidating if you believe you have to be like Keats. Try to be like some other average person just trying to express themselves. Of course, the poems aren't average. They were good enough to be included as examples. It is a good book to use to get into writing poetry and doesn't get bogged down in heavy poetics, but yes it teaches basic concepts. Worth trying.
February 9, 2021
Great book for poetry exercises. A colleague recommended this, stating she thought poetry and this book might save the world. I have to agree.
May 14, 2009
The best book for teaching/practicing writing. I have used it for years in all the classes I teach whether on writing or inner development. Great exercises and examples from "real people" in his classes show students they can do it, too. i learned a lot about teaching from this book.
April 18, 2014
Easy to follow, insightful and beautifully written. I would recommend it to anyone interested in self-development.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews