The Connection Between Writing and the Sacred
Writing poems is my conduit to the sacred, the sacred I find in the vicissitudes of the ocean, the vibrancy of the fall foliage, communing with a wild rabbit eye to eye. For me the sacred means spirituality that I find welling up inside my soul whenever I hear a song or prayer that affects me so much that I need to dance. Works by Chopin, Schubert, Vivaldi and certain melodies sung by Bocelli also stir the wonder of spirituality within me that lives in my poems.
I have faith in the goodness of people, and they often find a place to live in my poems: my parents, brother and friends who are no longer with me. They live inside me through my poetry. Connection is most important to me, someone nodding in empathy, gestures that become luminous to hold. I encourage young poets to write–we are spiritually connected.
The sacred lives in the silence of a poem as it does in the sanctuary of a temple, mosque or church.
Janet Krauss, who has two books of poetry published, Borrowed Scenery, Yuganta Press, and Through the Trees of Autumn, Spartina Press, has recently retired from teaching English at Fairfield University. Her mission is to help and guide Bridgeport’s young children through her teaching creative writing, leading book clubs and reading to and engaging a kindergarten class. As a poet, she co-directs the poetry program of the Black Rock Art Guild.
Amethyst Review 