Daily Nourishment for June 11, 2024: When a Poem Can Help You Pray
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 50 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 15 minutes
If you aren’t sure how to pray, maybe a poem can help you fill in the blanks.
Pause.
Rest for three minutes. While seated or lying down in a spot in that feels safe and comfortable, set a timer, close your eyes, and rest. If you like, begin this time of rest with six deep breaths with a six-count inhale and a six-count exhale and/or read Matthew 11:28-30.
Prompt.
Listen to What You Missed That Day You Were Absent from Fourth Grade by Brad Aaron Modlin.
Then set a timer and write a response for seven minutes. (There are so many things to respond to in this poem!)
Journal, pray, take notes, or start a new poem, essay, story, or letter to a friend.
Practice.
Here’s a quote from Pádraig Ó Tuama about the poem above:
“And I found myself, when I read this poem, thinking, what was the day we were taught that gay boys are boys too? What was the day that you were taught that loving poetry was enough? What was the day we were taught that feeling desperately lonely, even when you’re 10, was OK? How could we be brought into the consolation that as you looked at your own family and felt like everybody else’s family is more together than mine — that that’s OK? How could any of these things be wrapped into the story of a life?”
Keep a running list throughout the rest of the day of the things no one taught you but are wrapped into the story of your life.
If you like, pray through your list.
Want More?
Listen to the entire Poetry Unbound podcast episode that discusses “What You Missed That Day You Were Absent from Fourth Grade.”
*
Upcoming Workshops & Gatherings
—The June Co-Writing Schedule is live.
—Become a Member by June 15, Get Co-Writing Free through July 31
If you want to write more and nourish yourself so you can have the writing life you want while enjoying the summer months, the Spiritual Direction for Writers Membership is a great support and resource. Anyone who becomes a new Spiritual Direction for Writers Member between now and June 15th will receive FREE unlimited SDW Co-Writing Sessions through the end of July. (Even if you cancel your membership after June.)
*All existing SDW Members will receive free unlimited SDW Co-Writing Sessions through the end of July. Members who already have a year of Co-Writing will receive a bonus 30-minute checkin 1:1 Spiritual Direction session during June or July.
—A Gift for All New SDW Members
I have several copies of 1000 Words: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round by Jami Attenberg for my Thoughtful Books Etc. bookshop because this book is fantastic. All new SDW Members who join between now and June 15th will receive a copy of this book in addition to everything above. (This book offer is only available for residents of the contiguous US.)
Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
*Please help us protect our intellectual property, our creative process, and the integrity of our work. Spiritual Direction for Writers® Daily Nourishment is covered under the Spiritual Direction for Writers® trademark. You are welcome to share this link with others, but any other use (written or spoken) is prohibited without written permission from Charlotte Donlon.