POETIC FORM AND SPIRITUALITY

Poetic Form and Spirituality

I was reading a book the other day and while I was reading it I made a list of poetic forms and their spiritual uses. This post is going to be the list I made plus a little bit more information. The list is no where near exhaustive, but it will help you get started on thinking about the subject and give you some ideas on how to use several poetic forms in your spiritual life. For more information on these forms I'm placing a Google link at bottom of each form's section

Haiku- writing Haiku is good as an awareness and mindfulness practice. It helps to raise your awareness of the smallest details and helps you practice being present in the moment.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Haiku

Tanka- Tanka is sort of like Haiku but instead of 575 it is 57577 and it flows from an objective awareness of an external scene to internal awareness of one's feelings and thoughts related to that scene. Writing tanka is really good for building awareness of one's inner self through poetic introspection.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Tanka

Sonnet- The sonnet tends to be a good type of poem to write when you want to meditate on something to discover some truth or insight. Alot of people find sonnets intimidating but don't. There are different types of sonnets and some of them aren't real hard.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Sonnet

Villanelle- This is a form that originated in France and it entered the English language in the 1800's. It is a good form to help you to learn to express powerful emotions as well as the expression of devotion and intimacy. It's also good for thinking about topics like mystery, forgiveness, grace, and goodbyes

Epigram and - Nothing says that poetry always has to be serious. In fact
Limerick it should be fun. Two forms that are particularly fun are
the Limerick and Epigram. Writing them is fun and provides
healing through laughter, they promote build humility by
poking fun at one's self.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Epigram

http://www.google.com/search?q=Limerick

Ghazal- This form is good for praying or thinking about peace, authenticity, Love, Love of God and almost anything that mysterious as well

http://www.google.com/search?q=Ghazal

Pantoum- Writing this form is good for prayers or meditations that focus on devotion, gratitude, kindness, questioning, and zeal. It also promotes attention to the moment.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Pantoum

Elegy- Writing these kinds of poems is good at calming grief, providing acceptance of the impermanent, helping us to make sense out of our loss, then find joy in it and pray for those in our life. Elegies also allow us to celebrate the thing or person we have lost.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Elegy

Story Poems- Writing story poems tends to center you spiritually, promotes your health, and communication

http://www.google.com/search?q=Story%20poems