Poetry and the Deep Love Project

I love to rhyme. A couple of years ago I was accepted into a juried poetry project and I learned the hard way that rhyming is no longer in high poetry esteem. At the time I was crushed and deflated, especially because it was clear that my style was, well, comparatively not very polished or serious.

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My ego almost walked out in shambles. But don't feel sorry for me. It turned out to be one of the best writing experiences I have ever had. I was probably the least prepared and I was definitely the least published of the group, but in some ways I think I was the most playful and free. I stopped writing poems altogether for a while after that weekend, but the rhyming life can't be stopped forever.

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So in addition to the influence of this experience, I wrote this poem during my quest for "deep love." I wanted to let myself be open to love, to feel it, give it, accept it, live it., to drop my guard and trust. To be just myself, flaws and all. And I did. My deep love project didn't turn out the way I expected, and my inflated ego and poor little heart ended up in more shambles, but here I still am: still showing up for love, because the loving life can't be stopped forever either. :)

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So don't expect to read this poem in the New Yorker Magazine. But guess what? I don't care. I would write it again!

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Deep Love

Shape up
Dig in
Catch a break
Give and take
Steady your chin
Don’t give in
It’s not sin
After today
Have it your way
It’s not too late
So your fate
Will abate
Then it’ll be
Your scenery
With pieces back
And what you lack
Will fill again
And in the end
You will suspend
Concern and care
Instead you’ll dare
Toward brave and true
And wonder who
Could not renew
Every loving act
For you.