by Cendrine Marrouat

Created on: June 27, 2010   Last Updated: June 29, 2010

For most people, poetry is an abstract and scary word. They have indelible memories of school, when they had to find a meaning behind each word, sentence and sound. They felt as though they had to read the poets' minds. That dull and painful process led, for most of them, to a strong dislike of the art form.  

Nothing should be taken for granted. According to

Jiddu Krishnamurti, “Life has to be discovered from moment to moment, from day to day; it has to be discovered, it cannot be taken for granted.” And it cannot be truer with poetry. The entire world has so many preconceived ideas about what it stands for, what it seems to mean, how it supposed to be read, etc. In fact, human beings like to imagine that words and ideas have a life of their own, when all they do is create them and then put them in small boxes.

–"Inspirational" and "Spiritual": These two words are closely related.

"Inspirational" comes from "inspire" and "spirit". "Inspire" means: to breathe or blow (into); to draw or inhale into the lungs; to instruct by divine influence; to instruct or affect with a superior influence; to animate (a person with feelings, thoughts). "Inspiration" is the act of inspiring or breathing in; a breath; instruction or stimulation by a divinity; an inspired condition/thought.

Here are a few synonyms of the word "spirit": vital principle; the soul; actuating emotion, disposition, frame of mind; animation, verve; courage; cheerful/exuberant vivacity; the real meaning, intent; etc. Hence, what inspires will animate the soul, mind, and body.

–"Poetry": The Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary defines "poetry" as such: "1 a: metrical writing; b: the productions of a poet; 2 writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience in language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm; 3 a something likened to poetry especially in beauty of expression b: poetic quality or aspect <the poetry of dance>"

Many poets define poetry as "the language of the soul": When it truly comes from a deep place within us (heart, mind, and soul), it is more than a language. It becomes inspiration, pure spirituality and true beauty for creators as well as readers or listeners – in the case of spoken word. And in that sense, it has the power to excite, move, animate human beings to action and reflections. And that is exactly why it should be used as a powerful tool to cultivate one's own spirituality.

Writing or reading poetry is perfect in those moments when a person needs to let go. It provides much-needed comfort when there is a need for grieving the loss of a loved one, for example. By appealing to the best in us, it helps shape beliefs and faith and goes beyond the limited understanding of any human being.

Poetry should not be feared and certainly not taken for granted. What teachers and professors have taught about this art form for centuries has nothing to do with what it really stands for. Poetry is about understanding oneself and developing a unique voice. And in today's world, it is needed more than ever.

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