04 April 2008

5 Brilliant Rumi Quotes

By Wendy Betterini

I have a lot of favorite authors, but one that tends to spark a welcome wave of inspiration and renewal every time I read his work is Rumi. Rumi was a 13th century Persian poet (1207-1273). Though his original works were written in Persian, they have also been translated into other languages and are still enjoyed by people in many countries today - even seven centuries after his death! Such timeless writings hold true gems of wisdom that we can rediscover and savor each time we ponder them.

With that thought in mind, I'd love to share five of Rumi's quotes that I believe are truly brilliant. They are my personal favorites and I've shared a few thoughts about why they speak so strongly to my heart - but don't take my word for it; ponder them yourself and let them speak to you. What insights do they hold for you?

"Let the beauty you love be what you do. There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth."

This quote immediately moves me into that fabulous state of passion and joy that can only come from following your heart! Every time I read it I feel like kicking off my shoes, grabbing a notebook and pen and heading out to the back yard to write some poetry. Not that I write much poetry. Besides, it's winter here so my feet would get cold. But Rumi's words make me want to do it anyway.

On a deeper level, this quote reminds me that our true happiness comes from having a purpose in life. Something that makes us feel like we're doing worthwhile work - even if it's only worthwhile to us. And I love the phrase, "kneel and kiss the earth" - it brings to mind thoughts of gratitude and appreciation for, well - everything. The world around us and all of its inhabitants from people to animals to plants and even the tiniest insects. What wonders surround us!

"When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy."

So many of us forget this simple wisdom in the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives. We're so focused on what we have to do, need to do, almost forgot to do - that we end up living from our harried minds rather than the deeper place that makes everything so sacred.

Try an experiment yourself to feel the power in Rumi's words: Choose one task, big or small and do it from your soul. Take a walk and make a point of moving your body slowly and reverently. Brush your hair as if it were made of spun glass that might break if you tug too hard. Revel in the sensation of the brush bristles massaging your scalp and softening your hair. Even simple activities, when done in a conscious spiritual state, can awaken you in such profound ways that you'll never be the same.

"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it."

Nowadays we are becoming more aware of the power of our own thoughts and the role they play in forming our physical reality, and this quote is very revealing in that context! Every time I read it I'm reminded that lack does not exist except in my own mind. Whatever I think I don't have enough of, I simply need to awaken to the ways I am blocking it from my perception. When I do that, suddenly it's all there right before my eyes, as it always was - if only I had been willing to see it. This can apply not only to love but money, good health, joy, inner peace, and so much more.

"The universe and the light of the stars come through me."

I don't think Rumi was bragging about his own greatness with this line, but rather sharing the insight that all of us "give birth" to our reality (our own universe, really) through our perceptions. He also may have been referring to inspiration - I've often said that written words "come through me" at times, especially when I'm "in the flow" and the words just come out with little editing on my part.

"Burdens are the foundations of ease and bitter things the forerunners of pleasure."

What a powerful message is contained in this gem! So often we resent the difficult moments in life and forget that they provide an important service for us. Not only do they lay a foundation and pave the way for better times later; they help us to become stronger, better people so we can appreciate those pleasant experiences when they arrive.

When I think back to some of the more difficult times I've had in life, I'm truly grateful for them now. They taught me a lot about myself and contributed greatly to the person I've become. I try hard to remember that when I find myself in tough situations these days - which makes them easier to bear.

In fact, that's what I love so much about quotes like Rumi's; they offer a moment of reprieve, a glimpse of grace, and a gentle reminder that the difficult moments will pass and the sun will shine once again. What more could we ask for?

Do you love positive quotes? Drop by Wendy's Squidoo lens on Positive Quotes and feast your eyes on some inspiring thoughts, share a few of your favorite quotes in her guestbook and even download some great free quote books to enjoy at your leisure - http://www.squidoo.com/PositiveQuotes

Posted by Poems Poetry Quotes.com :: 1:29 PM :: 1 Comments:

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---------------oOo--------------- Writing Innovative Poetry

By Devrie Paradowski

Writing innovative poetry, the kind of poetry that reputable literary journals publish, entails knowing exactly what each word of a poem does to the reader. A good poem should be evocative, skillful, and cohesive, but before attempting to hone these attributes, a potential poet should be knowledgeable of the various forms and attributes of contemporary poetry. A good way to become familiar with the aspects of contemporary poetry is to take classes, join writing workshops, and subscribe to contemporary literary journals. Reading and understanding good poetry is vital to being able to write good poetry.

The first phase of writing a good poem includes a process of brainstorming. There are various ways to approach this process, but after a good deal of experimentation, the poet will find the one that works best for his or her personal style. Some poets will begin this process by actually writing a poem. Other poets will write prose or notes until he or she spots something that could be developed into a poem. The most important concept to consider with regard to this first phase is to write fearlessly. Write without trying to sound poetic, avoid abstractions, and be as detailed as possible. Write what is on your mind without worrying too much about grammar, literary devices, and line breaks. Often, when a person engages is this type of free writing, he or she will naturally write in some sort of rhythm or pattern. It is in the next phase of writing that these natural literary finesses are smoothed out and heightened.

The next stage of writing involves looking for a shape within the words that have been freely written. Read the words out loud, paying careful attention to phrases and words that leave an indelible impression. Then, prune some of the language by omitting unnecessary lines and hackneyed expressions, such as “I walk this lonely path,” or, “My heart cries out.” A good poem is going to have fresh images and is going to offer unique perspectives. If you find hackneyed or overly abstract expressions in your writing that are pertinent to the overall theme of your piece, try rewriting them using language that has never been used before to describe these situations or feelings. Also, pay attention to whether your poem is telling its message to the reader or if it is showing the message through unique images. An example of telling would be, “I am sad and lonely.” An example of showing would be, “I fall into his empty chair, listlessly holding his photograph…”

Once you have found the shape of your poem and reworked the language to include fresh images, you will need to read it out loud. Listen to the line breaks. Listen to the actual language. Ask yourself whether the line breaks are appropriate. Are there abrupt words dangling at the ends of any lines? Do you have conjunctions or prepositions trailing at the ends of your lines? If so, you might need to rework the lines, and at times, you may need to reword entire lines. This stage also includes getting constructive criticism from writers or poetry enthusiasts who will be objective with their feedback. You can look for or start a poetry critique group in your local area, or you can join one of the many critique forums and workshops online. This part of the process can be the most difficult for new poets who are not accustomed to having someone digging around in their creative endeavors with a scalpel. Understand that even incredibly well crafted poems will get their fair share of comments from the critics. Also, adhere to your intentions. If a critic misreads your piece, it could very well mean that you need to rework your piece within your own aim.

Finally, after having written your poetry with the knowledge and understanding you have gained through classes and reading, and after having reworked and submitted your piece for critique, you are ready for your final draft. Your final draft is not a final product. Your final draft is what all your hard work so far has produced, but you will need to read it again, possibly a day, a month, sometimes even years after you’ve written it.

When there is nothing more to prune, add, or change to the poem, you may consider submitting it to one of the literary journals you have subscribed to when you first began your journey as a good poet.

Devrie Paradowski has been published by several literary journals such as Adagio Verse Quarterly, Eclips e-zine and Meeting of the Minds Journal. She has also published articles with Poetry Renewal Magazine. She is the founder and editor of the online literary journal, LE Quarterly: http://www.literaryescape.com/journal/

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---------------oOo--------------- Publishing Your Poetry

By Devrie Paradowski

If you are serious about seeing your work published by reputable publishers, there are a few points you should consider. Firstly and most obviously, you need to determine if you have poetry worth publishing. This assessment can be done by doing something that will not only help you gauge the competitiveness of your poetry, but will give you some viable options for publishing it. Subscribe to literary journals and buy books of poetry. If you do this, what you are doing is searching out the market place. Read the types of poetry that many publishers are publishing and see if the quality of these poems surpasses or is on par with the quality of your own poems.

Read Literary Journals and Poetry Books

Not all literary journals are going to publish the same type of poetry. Some journals will only publish poetry that rhymes, most will not publish poetry that rhymes, and some journals will focus on specific themes such as humanity, nature, or locality. After having perused your bookstores and the many available literary journals, you will more than likely find a publisher who publishes poetry that your very own poetry would compliment. You can find reputable literary publishers by doing a search online, by reading the biographies of respected poets, and by checking out your local universities and colleges. When you find these publishers, write down the name, the address and keep a log, because these are going to be your potential publishers.

Improve Your Chances

The next vital aspect of publishing that you will need to consider is the actual process of getting your works accepted by the publishers. Each publisher will have very specific guidelines for submissions. Read these guidelines carefully and be sure to follow them precisely. Some online publishers will accept submissions via attachments while others frown upon attachments. Following the guidelines is crucial because whether your poetry is Pulitzer Prize quality or not, if you do not follow these guidelines, there is a good chance that your submissions will never even get read.

Be Savvy

Also, do a little research before submitting your work to a publisher. Invest in resource materials for poets such as The Poet's Market. The better educated you are with regard to the publishing industry, the better your chances of avoiding the hassle of fighting scams and vanity presses. Because poetry is a hard market to sell, most publishers are struggling to stay afoot. Since there is such a small market for those seeking to buy poetry, vanity presses capitalize on the overwhelming desire of the public to become published.

Cover Letters

Aside from researching the market, you should sharpen your skills at writing cover letters with the same intensity that you sharpen your skills at writing poetry. You can search online workshops and information sites about poetry, or you can refer to The Poet's Market for more information on writing cover letters. Not all publishers will necessitate cover letters, but a good cover letter will improve the chances of the editors actually reading your poetry.

Expect Rejections

Finally, expect a few rejections. As I previously mentioned, there is an overwhelming imbalance between the number of people who are looking to buy literary journals and books as compared to those who wish to publish it. Do not be discouraged if your work is rejected. Try revising it and sending it out to another publisher. Also, despite the fact that a rejection can make you want to send out your piece to several different publishers at once, you should never send your work to multiple publishers.

When a publisher accepts your work, enjoy the pride that comes along with such esteem. You will be on your way to building a portfolio. Getting your poetry published by various publishers is sometimes a slow and arduous adventure, but it is well worth the time and work.

Devrie Paradowski has been published by several literary journals such as Adagio Verse Quarterly, Eclips e-zine and Meeting of the Minds Journal. She has also published articles with Poetry Renewal Magazine. She is the editor of LE Quarterly: http://www.literaryescape.com/journal/

Posted by Poems Poetry Quotes.com :: 1:27 PM :: 0 Comments:

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---------------oOo--------------- Wedding Poems

By Al Walker

Many couples like the idea of incorporating poems into their marriage ceremony, but may be unsure how to go about it. For some, the idea of writing their own love poem is a great romantic notion, but comes with just a bit of writer's block. For others, finding the ideal poem (already written) is greatly desired but feels like an overwhelming task. For these couples, the good news is that others have already done much of the hard work.

Multitudes of collections have been compiled for the sole purpose of weddings. The trouble is of course, finding time to go to the local library and read them all. This is where a bit of solid research comes in handy; some websites provide brief descriptions or group poems by category. Many also provide the complete poems with copyright information. Because a wedding is not a public service and couples are not charging guests for attending, a simple acknowledgement of the author and creation date in the program will suffice. There are also a number of books on the subject. These can be useful in that many combine poetry options along with vows or other related ceremonial options that can compliment the reading.

For those who are interested in composing their own poem, but do not feel up to the task, there is help here as well! For poets-in-the-making, choices range from enrolling in a poetry course (such as online or through a community education program), to using one of the many tools to create customized wedding vows and poems, to simply winging it. If there is time and inclination, a short course on poetry writing can be very informative, provide feedback from participants and the instructor, and help reduce nerves. However, this may be a bit much for some, which is why websites, books, wedding kits are available that walk the couple through the process of writing their own poems or vows. These can be useful in that the couple can work together in developing a theme or direction for the poems, which makes the writing process much easier.

Winging it is also an option, while considering a few thoughts. Not everyone can write elaborate poetry incorporating perfect rhyme and rhythm--which is why free verse was invented. Using free verse or other, shorter forms of poetry may be the perfect options for those who want to express their feelings in original words but cannot face the thought of composing a sonnet. Consider reading a book or two on poetry writing to get a feel for the variety of poetry styles.

Lastly, whether you prefer an existing poem or taking pen to paper, keeping the purpose of the poem in mind may help selection and writing. The poem is incorporated to add a unique expression of love to the wedding ceremony and represent the couple. No poem is perfect for every wedding, but there is one out there that is perfect for you.

Copyright © 2005 awalker@weddingshome.com All rights reserved.

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---------------oOo--------------- Five Poems

By Dennis Siluk Ed.D.

Poems have different cores, or so I believe, and can only be structured well for certain figurative language—heart beats; like all counselors are not made for all clients, so all poems are not made for the same person, or purpose; when we read we all have our likes and dislikes; I do not necessarily know what poetry is per se, but I do know what the greatness of poetry has, and great poetry is close to an illusion…it carries an echo I do believe—figurative yes, at best, and questionable yes, by far. Here are five poems I've recently wrote, all with a different core, focus and style.

1) The Beehive [Poetic cut-ups]

[Paper] ”USA Today,” 75 cents, March 18, 20, 2005: ‘…it was acceptable in the l980’s…as a cup of coffee…what I will not do is participate...to be clear, I have never taken illegal drugs…In my 19 years in the big league…Around the World in 8, days….McGuire said repeatedly…recent spat of vehicle accidents in Iraq…Rice Reaches Out…Quest for Fame…Jules Verne 100th anniversary…Peterson to San Quentin…Jackson’s young guests…Stun guns…’

[Sound] In the background of the café-bookstore, I hear the music of Nat King Cole: ‘…we are not too young to know…’ Now I hear trousers hitting legs…Dishes in the dishwasher [café] …a laugh, I think its Erica behind the café counter…squealing of galoshes…a cough in the background… .

[Sight] Three girls went to the counter…lady beside me writing…Michelle came up to my table, talking about her boyfriend…Mark waved goodbye for the day, just left his music area…lady in the front of me whispering…large woman with a thin sport jacket on at the front ordering food, talking to the servers (some food to go I think)… .

[Dreams] Voices that let you roam at your will, but to receive the voices one must stop all the echoes, shadows, aggravations—find silence. The subconscious can hear ever operation going on. I am like all warm blooded mammals: we all dream: bats, bears and beasts—like humankind. Dreams are the keys to keeping the heart beat, beating; stop the dreaming, you stop everything. Last night I dreamed of writing this poem.

[Epilogue] The mind, the mind, the mind: papers, sounds, sights and dreams—come in and out from all sides of me: day and night, and night and night and day, every which way. From all sides of me, like a movie; computer, filing, filing them all away, “…for what you say?”

2) Old Charlie Edwards

Old Charlie Edwards had an office About one and a half miles from town Most cars that came by you’d know why He owned all the real estate In town He never smoked cigarettes Nor drank alcohol He never gambled with his money From what, most folks can recall, during his formative years And until his High School Prom He’d play Monopoly year round And whip everyone Fine, as you may foretell He made his money just that way It was like playing chess, he’d say And he’d never rest, play all day And owned half the town Well, Old Charlie Edwards’ Office Was always in the white Until the town’s committee Voted to build an interstate Just to spite Old Charlie and his ways Yes, Charlie had to move From that old spot As you may have guessed And thereafter, Charlie sold all His real estate After that, all the towns folks Ran to his office to look around As if he may have left some treasure Laying about But Old Charlie Edwards Simply moved out of town Laughing and Giggling Buying more real estate in St. Paul!…

3)

The Last Second

Angels come (sometimes) within arms reach but dare not touch the heart’s beat; beyond its sacred melody… for your sake!...

4)

Sid M. [l966]

Long forgotten is my friend Forty-year ago this spring— He died when he was twenty, And I was but nineteen.

I see us in our High School Halls, With boyish hopes and dreams; His face was always high-brow But he never looked down on me.

To him who died so very young, And now, so very long ago… In memory, unsought, I say: I have never forgotten you!

5)

The Scent of Paris

Calm as a Paris…river’s afternoon Warm in the month of June And filled with spirits, crimson people, Pervaded with a scent that could lead One’s illusional dreams—to be!

A ghoul’s cologne haunts my hands As I glimpse the bridges: land to land As I touch the hidden flutes of memory The scent of Paris—comes back to me.

About the author: Mr. Siluk is a world traveler, a lover of the mysteries around the world, and has visit many World Heritage Sites, his most recent being Easter Island, the Galapagos and Mesa Verde. His books can be seen on/at Barns and Noble.com, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Abe.com Alibis, Boarders and several other sites and book stores. Many of his books can be purchased through the English Bookdealers. He spends his time between Lima, Peru and St. Paul, Minnesota, and has just finished working on two new books: "The Macabre Poems,” and “Perhaps it’s Love,” and continues to work on "Curse of the Abyss Worm,” a suspenseful mystery, and “Cold Kindness,” a tragic love affair.

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