Center for Journal Therapy
Grant Street Mansion
1115 Grant St. #207
Denver, CO 80203
Voice: 888-421-2298
Denver metro: 303-986-6460
Fax: 303-985-3903
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Poem of the Month: April 2001

National Poetry Month

Poetry Its door opens near. It's a shrine by the road, it's a flower in the parking lot of the Pentagon, it says, "Look around, listen. Feel the air." It interrupts international telephone lines with a tune. When traffic lines jam, it gets out and dances on the bridge. If great people get distracted by fame they forget this essential kind of breathing and they die inside their gold shell. When caravans cross deserts it is the secret treasure hidden under the jewels. Sometimes commanders take us over, and they try to impose their whole universe, how to succeed by daily calculation: I can't eat that bread. -- William Stafford From Even in the Quiet Places Confluence Press, 1996 Journal prompts: What is the first poem you remember loving? Have you ever memorized a poem? Write as much of it as you can in your journal. What memories does it evoke? This month, explore a poet who is new to you. Write (or tape) a poem you especially like in your journal. Read it over and over. How does it speak to you? For a wealth of poetry-related links, check out the National Association for Poetry Therapy website, and click on "Links." Write a poem (it doesn't have to rhyme!)

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