for the love of poetry
what lifts your spirits?
A few weeks ago, in the mountains of Colorado, my cousin got married! We have spent our whole lives together and I was thrilled to see her look so happy, beautiful, and in love. I cried during her vows, which highlighted the ways her now husband CJ brings out the best in her and makes her world bigger. That’s what I hope for everyone, regardless of whether or not you want a romantic partnership or not: that we find love that makes our world light up.
There is nothing like a wedding to feel hope, joy, and inspiration in the world! I wrote this poem for my cousin’s wedding and read it during her ceremony. I think it can apply to platonic relationships as well, which deserve just as much ceremony as marriage does.
Swing Wide the Gates
James Baldwin said, “if love will not swing wide the gates, no other power will or can.”
I’ve seen love deliver a big exhale
Softened bodies breathing a sigh of deep relief
Bringing safety
I’ve seen Love burst open dams
Water rushing with an intoxicating power
Drowning our inhibitions and fears
Allowing us to play
I’ve seen love open new trails to unexplored paths
Dipping into deeper caverns
Inspiring us to mountainous heights
Giving us the confidence to achieve our heart’s desires
I’ve seen love remove Barriers
Hearts spilling over
with gushing forceful waves into the arms of family and friends
Receiving making us so much stronger to give
When anger rises and stokes your fire
Don’t just drown it with water and close the lid
Mix the ashes with soil
Stir the embers with curiosity
When a season of drought brings frustration
Savor each drop of compassion
When a boulder blocks the trail
Find courage and creativity to forge on
When thick brush threatens the path
Clear it with gratitude
Remember the playful hearts that brought you together and
Swing wide the gates
The news has been affecting me lately. When life gets hard, I always turn to poetry! More poems that moved me:
Raft by Mary Morris. This poem touched me (heads up - it’s not uplifting but rather sad).
All My Friends are Finding New Beliefs by Christian Wiman. For your “beautiful, credible friends”.
You walk through life by Sarah Burke. Nothing like a poem to smash the patriarchy.
And some media to lift the spirits:
Country Life Vlog, while this is not poetry, it’s soothing, visual bliss. This YouTube channel shows what life is like in the mountains of Azerbaijan.
Do you know about the Gardiner Brothers? They have never made Irish dance and tap dance look so cool!
What poems do you love? What has been lifting your spirits lately?
Also, I’m hosting a free journaling workshop on Meetup Aug 18! We will spend an hour going through a few prompts together. Check out the event here, I’d love for you to join.
I've been leaning into poetry this month as well, mostly Mary Oliver. Invitation has been a long-time favorite but I discovered Of Power and Time this month and it really spoke to this season of life and just this morning, Freshen the Flowers, She Said.
This is beautiful, Brenna!
I didn’t have much exposure to poetry, truthfully, until it was read aloud often at my retreat last summer. This was a favorite: https://allpoetry.com/Love-After-Love
Ooh your journaling workshop sounds so cool! I signed up :)