A Poetry "how to"...

I just started a new book, The Roar on the Other Side, by Suzanne Rhodes, again.  I lost the book at the beginning of my travels when I was a few pages in, and already hooked.  Upon return, I scoured all the possible lost and found areas at the airport,which is quite a job, but to no avail, so... I jumped online for a 2 day turnaround. I got the book last night at 5:30.

Here's a few of my first favorite quotes - (This book may make my top ten list for the year)

Poetry starts with silence- not silence in the world but silence of the mind. (p.1 -1st line!)

If we cultivate the art of inner quiet and develop habits to nuture the mind's green fields, we will hear the melodies of heaven. (p.1)

We love God with our minds when we admire smoothness, strangeness, structure, intricacy, fragrance, complexion, motion.... In noticing we name...(Adam) was creative.  When you think of words to perfectly name what you feel and see and hear, you are also creating. (p.11)

"words to perfectly name" - isn't that a great picture.  I love that line. Just one more...

A skillful writer cuts the fat and thickens the gravy. (p.29)

Gotta love that one! The book has all the nuts and bolts that have been forgotten in Modern poetry classes,with fun assignments and a great poetry and teaching section. (exceptions- those few schools who teach classically - my daughter's school had an excellent set of lectures on poetry earlier this year).  A must read/do for every poetry dabbler.