Living Poems, Writing Lives: Spirit, Self, And The Art Of Poetry [Paperback]

Reggie Marra (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 2004

Living Poems, Writing Lives engages a poet's vision, heart and craft in embrace of the art of conscious living. The integration of literary, psychological and spiritual perspectives takes the reader on an invaluable journey of self-discovery.

Each chapter offers a gentle review of a basic poetic device, using model poems that range from Shakespeare to Slam, and then turns that device inward, as a tool for living consciously. How do imagery, metaphor, diction, rhythm, conflict, and texture, among others, influence our daily lives? Living Poems, Writing Lives offers us answers.

Chapter-ending exercises and meditations, a 15-billion-year time line, and an extensive annotated bibliography complement the author's unique understanding of poetic devices and imagination in promoting a culture of integral consciousness that begins with and nurtures an ongoing inquiry into the self.

The book emerged and evolved from a workshop at the Hudson Valley Writers Center in Sleepy Hollow, NY in 1998.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you've read Natalie Goldberg, Julia Cameron, and John Fox, you will still want to read Living Poems, Writing Lives." -- Sherry Reiter, Ph.D., Director, The Creative

About the Author

Author of Who Lives Better Than We Do? (poetry, 2001), and The Quality of Effort (nonfiction, 1991), Reggie Marra is the founder of Integral Journeys for Pilgrims, Poets, Fools and Saints. His programs foster conscious living and ongoing human growth through the integration of poetry, writing, meditation, council, and story.

An educator for three decades, including 21 years as a teacher, coach and administrator in secondary and higher education, he is a Master Teaching Artist with the Connecticut Commission on the Arts and has worked with 6-year-olds, 70-year-olds, and most ages in between.

Product Details

• Paperback: 373 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris Corp (March 22, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413430279
• ISBN-13: 978-1413430271
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,677,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poetry helps you live, June 20, 2005

By 

Janet D. Luongo (Norwalk, CT, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Living Poems, Writing Lives: Spirit, Self, And The Art Of Poetry (Hardcover)

Reggie Marra finds clever and new ways of wording timeless ideas. Reggie confronts the myth that poetry is irrelevant, a "frill." He dares to connect poetry to the very core of how we live and asks, how do you deal with time, money, religion? He provokes us to think, feel and write. Following his guidance and prompts I find myself stretching. Living Poems, Writing Lives has depth and humor and is a valuable book for anyone engaged in the craft of poetry, writing, or a creative or spiritual pursuit. His selection of stirring and accessible poems, including some by the author, is reason enough to use this book often for reference and inspiration.

Janet Luongo, author of 365 Daily Affirmations for Creativity