During this strange and often stressful pandemic season we are all experiencing both together and alone, we have probably all looked for some new ways to manage the discomfort. One very old and excellent way of dealing with hard times in life is by reading. No surprise there! However, more specifically, might I suggest we try a bit of poetry? Even if one is not the "poetry type", it can be a lovely surprise to find that a poem may speak deeply to our personal human experience. In fact, that is largely what poetry is there for. It is perfect for times like these!
Has your curiosity been stoked? When you have a quiet moment, here are a few poems you might try by clicking on the links below. You might even peruse the websites where they are located for other great poems.
"First Lesson" by Philip Booth
"Leisure" by W.H. Davies
"A Blessing" by James Wright
Also, there are a couple wonderful collections of poetry that well-known poetry lover Garrison Keillor put together for us to go to when we are in need of some downright wonderful poems. Good Poems and Good Poems for Hard Times are full of very readable poems by a broad range of poets. They are a great place to go for poetry-lovers and non-poetry-lovers alike. (Click on the titles to find them in our library catalog.) Of course there are many other books of poetry in our collection as well. I hope they bring an extra dose of peace and meaningful inspiration to your days in the midst of this trying season.