Isolating a line from a poem to give it universal meaning is like extracting nutrients from a plant to flavor water.
-s.shea
A Collection of Quotes from Great Poets
Poem by Emily Dickinson:
Forever – is composed of Nows –
‘Tis not a different time –
Except for Infiniteness –
And Latitude of Home –
From this – experienced Here –
Remove the Dates – to These –
Let Months dissolve in further Months –
And Years – exhale in Years –
Without Debate – or Pause –
Or Celebrated Days –
No different Our Years would be
From Anno Dominies –
Quote by Emily Dickinson:
“If I read a book [and] it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. These are the only ways I know it. Is there any other way.”
Letter to T. W. Higginson, August, 16, 1870
Excerpt from what is the most widely read and recollected American poem of the century, Robert Frost’s, “The Road Not Taken”:
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
What is interesting here, is that despite its wild popularity, this poem is widely misinterpreted. What we may think of as boldness and self-assertion — to choose the road less traveled— is at odds with the poem itself because Frost admits the roads are equal, and essentially interchangeable. So what of the last line: “And that has made all the difference”? Perhaps this is an example of something we tell ourselves when we want to take credit for results. Perhaps it exemplifies how our own fantasies/deceptions are interwoven in our life stories. Thoughts?
Excerpt from Robert Frost’s poem, “Servant of Servants”:
Len says one steady pull more ought to do it.
He says the best way out is always through.
And I agree to that, or in so far
As that I can see no way out but through —
Leastways for me — and then they’ll be convinced.
Take a moment just for you.
Poetic Tea Company is committed in encouraging people to use tea time as time for reflection. Whether you journal daily, or just like to indulge yourself in a moment of contemplation, these prompts are meant to spark your relationship with your memories and help you revisit some outstanding moments in your life. Grab a cup of tea and sit down for some you time!
150 Days of Memory & Journaling prompts
Describe a scent you associate with someone you love (not necessarily a direct scent, but more of a scent that reminds you of them).
What is a one-year goal you’d spend an hour per day working toward if success was guaranteed?
Looking back, is there anything funny or otherwise memorable about a school dance you attended?
What was a favorite game to play with siblings or friends when you were a child? Do you remember what you liked about it?
Consider a creative project you have completed that made you feel something positive.
What are three words that describe that project?
Describe a memorable road trip you’ve taken.
Is there anything you would do differently if you took this trip again?
Pick a favorite month and least favorite month and choose three descriptive words for each that support your favoritism/aversion.
If you could safely go anywhere in the world for a month, but you had to travel alone, where would you go?
(Assume, finances and caretaking are non-issues.)
What is something you found walking on the side of the road or saw driving and pulled over to retrieve?
What did you do with it?
Consider one of your favorite types of bread. Do you have any memories associated with it?
Choose a phone you or your family had at least fifteen years ago. What is something you remember about using it?
What is something that stands out about going to the grocery store with your mom (or dad) when you were young?
What room from a childhood home stands out most in your memories? Why do you think that is?
Who was your best friend in middle school? If you’re still friends, how to you stay in touch?
Who did most of the cooking when you were growing up and what meal did they prepare often?
If you were to plan a family brunch with the objective of making it memorable, what would you do?
When you think back to your high school’s parking lot(s), does anything eventful stand out?
Consider a favorite childhood birthday party memory (your own or someone else’s). What stands out about it?
If you had to live in one season for the rest of your life, what would you pick?
What three elements about this season do you love most?
If someone in your life was going to prepare and drop off your dinner or dessert, who would it be and what would they make?
Assume funds and space are adequate and you suddenly become caretaker of twelve animals of your choosing. What animals do you choose?
If you had to dress in one fashion genre for an entire year (and were guaranteed comfort while looking fabulous), what style/era would you pick?
If you had to wear a caution sign to give people a heads up about your personality and/or vulnerabilities, what would it say?
Think about who from your past you would write (not necessarily deliver) a letter to. What would you say?
If you put three things in a time capsule for your family to open in 25 years, what would you include?
If you had a favorite extracurricular activity in elementary school, did it change or stay consistent into high school? Why do you think that is?
Consider one of your first jobs.
What are some of the details you remember about it? (Uniform, pay, co-workers, etc.)
Think back to your family’s dinnerware when you were growing up.
What do you remember about the design?
If you had to create something to sell and you only had one hour to make it, using only items on hand, what would you make?
What is something (crafty or culinary) you’ve wanted to make from scratch but haven’t tried making yet?
How did you typically get to elementary school? Does anything particular stand out about the morning journey?
Think of somewhere your family ate out when you were young. What do you remember about eating there?
If you visited an elderly person when you were a child, what kinds of things do you remember about their home?
Recall a window that stands out from a point in your life. Describe how the window looks. What’s on the other side?
Considering your goals this year, where do you see yourself in three months, six months, a year from now?
Name three of the smallest, most insignificant details in your life that you are grateful for.
Consider the six most important things in your life right now. How are you prioritizing them?
What three things could you give up to give you more energy, more time, or more peace of mind?
If you had to leave your house in the next fifteen minutes, what three items would you take with you?
Reflect on one cherished person in your life. What are the qualities you admire about this person?
Consider a goal you have. What are three small things your can do today to get you closer to your goal?
Reflect on what you want to accomplish. What is one big thing you can do this month to get you closer?
Recall past New Year’s Eves.
What’s one of them that stands out as being memorable or magical and why?
What is one thing you have learned from struggle?
If you were to teach this wisdom to a child, how would you go about it?
Recall a time when you were in a difficult position.
Describe the feelings you remember having during this time.
Think of a challenge you are facing.
What can you do today to confront it?
What can you do tomorrow?
If you could travel back in time to a specific moment in your life, what moment would you revisit and why?
What holiday tradition (even if you don’t partake every year) is your most cherished and why?
If Santa were to gift you with one person, place, or thing (big or small), what would it be?
If you have any negative associations with this time of year, what’s one thing you could do today to make a fresh start?
Recall a friend/family member who was part of your holiday experience. What do you miss/cherish about this person?
If you could live anywhere in the world during winter, describe where you would choose to live.
Was there something you wanted as a child and never received?
Describe what it was and why you wanted it.
Visualize a memorable room from your childhood.
Describe what the room looked like. If you remember, describe how the room sounded and how the room smelled.
How did you feel inside the room?
Which herb’s scent do you most appreciate? What’s one word you would use to describe it?
If you had the time and energy to volunteer ten hours every week, what type of service would you pick?
Where does the month of May rank, with one being a favorite and twelve being least liked? Any particular reason?
What is your favorite plant to grow? What do you like about it?
(Or why do you avoid growing plants?)