9 Small Ways to Get More Poetry into Your Life

Do you ever have days (or weeks) where you feel completely disconnected from poetry? Perhaps it's a writing funk, or perhaps it's a busy week (we've been there). Perhaps you've been writing furiously for the last month and a half and you just NEED MORE POETRY (we've been there, too). No matter the cause, if you need more poetry in your life, we have some ways to read, write, and listen your way to a more poetry-filled day. Or, well, life.

1. Carry a notepad with you, always.

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Yes, we know, we've said this before. But truly, there's no better way to keep your brain creative than by constantly having a writing outlet on your person. I'm not saying you need to carry a college-ruled notebook you can't discretely cram in your pocket- just a pad of sticky notes will do. Write down any odd phrase that pops in your head, or scribble down a piece of an overheard conversation. If you commit to this small habit, you'll end up with plenty of material for a poem.

2. Memorize a poem.

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Obviously we don't recommend "The Wasteland", but having a short poem always on the tip of your tongue is bound to make any day feel a little more special. Transcribe a poem and keep it in your pocket; then, when you're walking, driving (your editors' college professors swear by this. JUST BE CAREFUL.), or just in need of a break from work, take the poem from your pocket and start reciting it, either out loud or in your head. You'll feel more connected to the world of poetry almost immediately. Plus, you never know when being able to recite a poem from memory will help you make a new friend in a bar.

3. Stream spoken word poetry instead of music.

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Music is great. NPR is great. But why not have the best of both worlds by streaming spoken word poetry? A little talk and a little rhythm makes for a great afternoon. Create a YouTube playlist of spoken word pieces you love, and soon enough you'll know them better than your favorite song.

4. Swap your novel for a chapbook.

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One of my favorite pastimes is to go to a discount book store and take home one (OK, admittedly, more than one) chapbook from a poet I've never read. It's like having a blind date: you spend a solid chunk of time with this person, learn a lot about them through their poetry, and suddenly you have experienced a new slice of human life. Plus, if you go to the right place, chapbooks are pretty affordable, so you get to avoid the dreaded "honey I killed our bank account" confession.

5. Watch Dead Poets Society.

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Really, need we say more?

6. Attend a poetry reading.

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Ah, yes, we're going to ask you to leave your comfortable little nest and go out into the world. Reading poetry is great, and listening to poetry is great, but experiencing poetry live is one of the best ways to get inspired to write. Simply Google poetry events at your local college or in your city (both of which will likely be open to the public) and go. (P.S.: live near Chicago? Here's a list you'll need.)

7. Download some poetry-inspired quote art.

Art and poetry go hand in hand, especially when it comes to decorating. Seeing snippets of your favorite poems is the perfect way to feel more connected to writing, and you're in luck: we have plenty of free printable quote art to inspire your inner poet.

8. Ask someone to look at your poem.

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Requesting criticism is one of the hardest steps in writing a poem. You may remember our review of WritingFloor, a community for writers looking for feedback on their work; making an account is easy, and you'll likely get really prompt feedback from objective writers. Prefer to ask someone you know in real life? No problem. But you have to actually do it.

9. Sit down and write a poem, already!

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Don't mind me, just reliving how much I LOVE THIS MOVIE.

Reading and listening to poetry are two wonderful ways to spend your time...but obviously, we think writing is the best choice. Here are 5 Reasons to Write a Poem Today, in case you need any more of a kick in the butt.