When the Poem Gets Away
- At April 27, 2026
- By Write in Community
- In Blog
6
A poet friend (a professor) once shared with me how it was for him sometimes, with writing. He was an accomplished poet with a good number of completed poems to his name. Yet there were times when an idea for a poem would come—a good idea, a prickling-of-the-skin kind of idea, but he had too many student papers to grade, letters of reference to write, and lectures to prepare. And the poem went away.
Has that happened to you? I believe that it happens more than we know. Life intervenes and we do not always act on inspiration when it comes. Or an idea may skip across our minds so fleetingly that we do not recognize it or its potential. And the idea is lost.
The good news is that the universe is teeming with ideas—ideas for poems, paintings, novels, and books of essays, all waiting to take form; and if we pay attention, if we keep our eyes and ears and our minds open, more ideas will come.
In her book, Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert shares her belief about the way creativity takes place. That there are untold numbers of ideas floating about, standing by, wanting to be born. That ideas have a sort of consciousness. They have will, and they “want” to develop and emerge into a larger existence. But for this to occur, they need a human collaborator. Someone who recognizes the idea for what it may become, takes hold of it, and devotes herself to making it manifest.
Perhaps that’s a little far-fetched. A little fanciful. But the ways of the cosmos and of creativity are mysterious. There’s always a little magic about the creative process. And if our next fabulous poem or novel is wanting to find us, it behooves us to be in readiness. Do what we must so that we can act when that spark of inspiration happens by.
So how do we do that? Mary Oliver says that for writers, “to pay attention, that is our endless and proper work.” So let us work to be alive to the world. To what we see and hear. The way the scent of plum blossoms takes you back to your childhood. How a robin warbling in early spring at dusk can almost break your heart. Do what we can to slow down, indulge in idleness, and remain curious. Sit in your chair in the sun with a pen in your hand, and see what wants to be written.
We live in a busy world. We have to make a living and take care of those around us. And we cannot help it sometimes—ideas disappear back into the ether from which they came. Our solace is to know that more inspiration will come, and we can unplug, relax, and pay attention, and that wild joyful rush of inspiration will make its way to us once more. –Lucy Adkins
For more inspiration, check out our website www.thewritingandcreativelife.com. Or follow this link to purchase Writing in Community or our latest book, The Fire Inside.
What We Need to Live More Creatively
- At March 11, 2024
- By Write in Community
- In Blog
- 4
Want to live more creatively? Consider simplifying your life.
From time to time I go through bouts of paring down, de-cluttering, getting rid of things I don’t really need—which because of their existence, require me to see and consider them, think what to do with them—and that works to complicate my life. And lessen the time I have for what really matters.
We all want full lives, lives rich with meaning, but not necessarily full of things. Instead, we want around us that which energizes and enlivens and helps us to think in new and exciting ways.
Which brings us to creativity. Elizabeth Gilbert said that “a creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life.” And with it, as Martha Graham believes, we experience “a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening.” Which is a pretty good reason to get up in the morning.
What We Need:
So…how can we go about living more creatively? What do we really need? Let’s talk about physical needs first–the supplies or equipment requiring a certain outlay of money. The answer to that depends upon what form our creativity may take. I’m a writer, so my basic needs are for pen and paper, and access to a computer. From time to time, I need to replenish my supply of ink cartridges and printer paper, and if I am putting together a manuscript, I like to have a three ring binder. Pretty simple needs, fairly easy to lay my hands on.
Musicians need mandolins, harps or clarinets, guitar picks and music stands. Visual artists require canvases and paint, brushes and brush cleaning chemicals. We’re talking basic needs here, what essential items we absolutely must possess in order to pursue our writing or painting or music.
But besides these physical needs for equipment and supplies, the things we can see and put our hands around, we have intangible needs which are even more essential—which will encourage and delight us and keep us going. And which we must cultivate.
These include:
- A link with the Source from which all creativity comes—for we do not work alone.
- Connection with nature and the physical world—in it, we find continuous enchantment and inspiration.
- People in our lives—to love and to cheer us on.
- Books, music, and art—for they tug at our hearts and lead our thoughts in new directions.
- A sense of fun—because it makes everything easier.
- Steadfastness of spirit—to stick to the project at hand.
- Flexibility—to let go and allow what wants to be created to arrive in its own time.
- Time and Energy—to accomplish all the potential that exists within.
- Inspiration—it’s all around us, when we have the time to notice, and when we allow it in.
What else would you include on this list? A writing partner? A retreat? Confidence to exhibit your photography?
Parents provide their children with the essentials–food for their bodies, shelter, and safety. But they also provide love and encouragement, comfort and the direction children need to lead complete and fulfilling lives. Let’s do the same for the creative child that lives within.
Exercise for Living More Creatively:
- Make a list of three things you can eliminate from your life which do not add value and meaning. And which might work to complicate your days. Maybe it’s that stuffed closet you need to clean out. Perhaps those committee meetings which drain you..
- Now, think about what you’d like to concentrate on to be able to live more creatively. Perhaps you’d like to spend time meditating or taking walks outdoors. Maybe you need to clear an hour each day to play with your paints. Make another list of three things.
- Now pick an item from each of your lists. Eliminate one barrier to your creativity, and add one which will enhance and meaning to your life.
Wishing you a beautiful and creative week.—Lucy Adkins
For more inspiration, check out our website www.thewritingandcreativelife.com.
Or follow this link to purchase Writing in Community or our latest book, The Fire Inside.
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