If poetry is heightened speech, it’s also painted thought. Thought expressed and explored through the senses, images, characters, dreams.
This is my way of saying I think a lot. Daft comment I hear you say, we all do! Yes we do. In different ways. I try to give attention to my thoughts, I like to travel with them. In fact I sometimes think of them as boats or birds that can take me places.
One of the places they take me are my poems. Another place is music, another coaching, which is what I do. Another place is conversation. I love it. Conversation, interaction, food for the soul.
I attended a great workshop in London recently. The tutor talked about intention and attention. Such simple words – such powerful meaning. In everything you do (said the tutor smiling) have an intention. It can be as easy as to enjoy, or to learn, or to contribute, or to help, or to give…. Then, as you do, bring your attention to bear. Not a little bit of attention that you can spare from everything thing else whirling round in your head. No. All your attention. Focus on the intention and the thing you’re doing.
