Things that can’t be stripped from your soul...
Music, poetry, art...
A couple of weeks ago I went to see Lemn Sissay as he shared poems from his book Let the Light Pour In. Every day for the last 13 years Lemn has written a life affirming quatrain.
Deb Dana LCSW, a clinician, consultant, author, and international lecturer on polyvagal theory-informed work with trauma survivors suggests that each day, we look for ‘glimmers’, micro moments of joy, connection and safety to help regulate your nervous system.
Lemn’s story is one of suffering, betrayal and abuse. ‘I was dehumanised’, he says of his experience growing up. He found solace - salvation maybe - in poetry. His daily discipline: a self-appointed quest to create his own glimmer.
Creativity is such an opportunity to bring glimmers into our own lives; an opportunity to tune into the positive, vibrant energy that we all inherently have.
I have therefore taken it upon myself to join Lemn in his quest. I mean, he has no idea of this, but that’s not the point. It’s about riding the ripples of positivity where you find them and helping them reach further.
So, let me share with you my silly quatrains for no other reason than to inspire you to go be the light that may pour in and on others.
I hope it inspires YOU to embrace your own way of creating your glimmers.
And believe me, it’s catching! I caught it from Lemn and then one of my sons took one of these poems I wrote and adapted it for a message in my Mother’s Day card. We then had a lovely chuckle about it. These little micro moments of joy, connection and safety are infectious.
So let’s be rebellious and bring glimmers into the world like our lives depended on it!
If this does inspire you and you do something glimmery do please let me know, I would love to share that with you!
Here’s what I have so far! As you’ll see, some are a stretch in poetic rhythm, but hey, it’s not about that is it? It’s about showing up and giving it a go!
Things that can’t be stripped from your soul:
Music, poetry, art,
Your spirit, your determination,
Your beautiful loving heart.
Don’t waste your time
Fitting in, doing what others do.
Concentrate your efforts
On being the youest you.
What’s one thing you can do today
To help the human race?
How about you help to spread
A smile on someone’s face?
To be an overnight success
Requires some preparation;
About 10, 000 hours or so,
Is my rough estimation.
To be an inbox zero hero
Create a new folder called ‘to do’.
Shove it all in there
And when you can, review.
Some people freeze their raspberries.
Others freeze their faces.
I can freeze my water.
I’m really going places.
What do you do to amuse yourself?
Go out out in the city?
I’m an advocate of staying in
To scribble a little ditty.
Oh my goodness how wonderful!
We’ve all got beating hearts.
A rhythmical reminder,
We’re better together than apart.
When was the last time
You had a boogie, had a bop?
There’s a lot to be said
For sneaking in cheeky Lindy hop.
Oh my goodness you’re a miracle!
Don’t your dare forget it!
So pat yourself on the back
And give yourself some credit.
Does it seem that people underestimate
Your brilliance and and your power?
They so clearly must have
Come down in the latest shower.
Creating breakfast together
Can be such a simple pleasure
It’ll lift your mood more reliably
Than the British weather.
A morning swim to slew the dread away
Plus gratitude
And connection…
Keep it in the day.
Some people tend to give up
When they feel that they fall short,
But the secret is to reach out
And ask for some support.
Have you planted your bulbs yet?
Spring is nearly here!
No, me neither, oops a daisy!
I’ll be ON IT for next year.
Some people have a profound
Poetry aversion
I wonder if this ditty
Can lead to their conversion?
You must be so serious
To be a revered poet
That’s where I seem to be remiss.
Each time I write, I blow it.
Comparison’s the thief of joy
This saying is oh so true.
Now, do you think I over think things
More or less than you?
People who see feelings
As a sign of weakness
Are possibly resigned
To a life of beige-grey bleakness.
If you find it hard today,
Want to admit defeat
Take in a breath, then breathe it out
And do that on repeat.
Maybe you feel confused
Because it is confusing
Maybe you feel bemused
Because it is bemusing.
Some friends are on transmit
Or always on receive
You’re not a flipping radio
With friend like this, just leave.
When people sidle up and say
I’m not being judgmental but…
You can bet your ass
That they’ve a big judgmental glut!
Tissues in the laundry!
From where do they originate?
Of all I dislike about doing laundry
This is what I hate.
How often do you vow
To come off this social media thing?
Only to be hooked back in
By one more liking ping.
Every day I vow to be a bit more sugar free,
But you always need a biscuit
With a steaming
Cup of tea.
If your childhood was tricky,
If being a kid was tough,
It can be challenging as an adult
To believe that you’re enough.
Tee hee.
What a list - if you got to here, well done!
That’s it for now,
‘Til next time.
Jacky ✨