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Everyday Wonder
This week our newsletter comes at a time, where as Poetry Pharmacists we are being asked for poetry prescriptions for navigating the world when it seems particularly dark and uncertain, or for trying to make sense of it. There is such a seeming dissonance between enjoying the beautiful clear sunny Spring days we're having here in the UK, and the news. How can we still take pleasure in these small things, the new growth on the apple tree, or the birds returning to make their nests? And is it still possible to experience joy and gratitude when the news is so unsettling?
This week it seems perfect timing then to let you know of our online workshop Prescriptions for Wonder, with the renowned Sophie Howarth and James Crews. Those of you interested in poetry in the US will surely know James' work as a brilliant poet, but also for his very fine anthologies, all of which are foundation stones of our bookshops. Sophie is a good friend of ours and Deb has long been a fan of Sophie's work from her days of founding the excellent The School of Life with philosopher Alain de Botton.
Sophie believes firmly in permission for pleasure in times of pain, indeed, we believe that it could be seen as an act of resistance and strength. Pleasure need not be a selfish act, we as human beings experience most gratification when we are helping others, or live a life with meaning.Take a look at this article from Psychology Today, In Helping Others You Help Yourself as one example.
Both Sophie and James are experts in recommending everyday wonder - and what a wonderful thing to be an expert in this way!
Pictured is our Writer's Hut in our beautiful poetry psychic garden, just beginning to bloom at the back of our Bishop's Castle bookshop.
Take a moment to think about what you could do better in your everyday life to stop and appreciate a small joy, whether it's a cup of tea taken in the garden watching the birds, to a hot bath, or the view from your window. Stop and linger there just a few seconds longer than you might otherwise have done - it's a small and valuable rest for your mind. Our Poetry Pharmacist's favourites are hanging out the washing on the line, watching the blue tits build their homes outside our own, and pushing seeds into pots of soil. For an uplifting eight minutes of pure joy, check out this mini-film of a blue tit and her mate building their nest in this purpose-built nesting box.
We love this poem 'The Orange' by Wendy Cope, and you can read about how the poet came to write about the oversized fruit that she picked up in the café during a visit to the National Film theatre here.
Poetry can help us find unexpected joy in the ordinary. Why not have a go at putting pen to paper and exploring some of these excellent writing prompts for April by Sarah Salway? Perfect for the joy of spring is, simply, to write about 'yellow', or why not take the idea of Wendy Cope's poem of sharing something sweet with someone - stranger, friend, parent....
Our Prescriptions
Tiny Joys: Joy Poetry Pill Prescription, for tiny doses of joy is available through our online, Bishop's Castle and London bookshops.
Artist and activist Sophie Howarth's Everyday Wonder is an anthology of essays, poems, photographs and creative practices for anyone looking to recover a sense of astonishment in ordinary things. You can pre-orhttps://uk.bookshop.org/a/23/9781914314780der here, but for an instant uplift, check out Sophie's collection of colour on her website: 'The Joy Of Yellow'
James Crews, writer and collector of poetry for happiness, kindness and joy, presents The Wonder of Small Things: a collection of highly accessible poems on the theme of celebrating moments of wonder and peace in everyday life.
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