Why Poetry?

 

Recently, someone asked me why I was writing poetry...again...for the 30 Poems in November challenge. First and foremost, poetry has been a lifeline for me since childhood. Poetry allowed me to find beauty amidst poverty, disease, and abuse. With poetry, I could dive down the rabbit hole with the like of Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and Edna St. Vincent Millay to cavort with language that painted pictures in ways that gave voice to the fear and longings I had. 

My second thought when asked why I would get up early each morning to write a poem based on a prompt someone has sent me was, "Why not?" Writing stimulated the brain, which is something scientist are now telling those over sixty is very important for their mental health. Writing helps to de-stress you, lowering your blood pressure and activating the hormones that help to keep you healthy.

As you can see my first two reason are very selfish, but I am not only thinking of myself when I write. I am thinking of my students - adult immigrants and refugees who have seen more pain and suffering than most of us can imagine. I write to raise funds for the nonprofit (Center for New Americans) that I have been blessed to work for the last ten years. In addition, I teach writing to my students, giving them the gift of voicing what is in their hearts and on their minds in a way that speaking does not afford them. Their poems are like sparks of light that turn to bright, shining stars in a very dark sky. 

The upshot of all this is that 30 Poems in November is not only a major fundraiser, proving money that is not earmarked by grantors for specific purposes, thereby allowing CNA to use it for those things that grants won't cover, but also, 30 Poems is a source of literacy, giving voice to dreams and fears, hopes and desires. For those who don't write, but donate to the writers, is provides them with a way to give which allows them the security of knowing they do make a difference.  

If you want to make a difference, if you want to honor the immigrants in your family, if you want to offer a sign of welcome to those who have come to this area in the hopes of finding safety and security, then please go to my 30 Poems in November page to donate. If you would rather not use the internet, you may send your donation to: Center for New Americans, 42 Gothic Street, Northampton, MA 01060. In the memo line of the check, please write "Linda Neas - 30 Poems" so that I get credit for the donation. 

Please know that I am grateful for whatever you can do to help lift up those who have found their way to our community from the far reaches of this world. Blessings!