In this post, I’ll discuss why I choose to obsess over poetry. How I was first exposed to it and why my passion for reading and writing has led me to where I’m at today with my writing routine. I also provide multiple lists of recommended reading, book reviews, and other blog posts I’ve written about poetry.
In 2011, I was exposed to poetry in a creative writing course in college. I read Wittgenstein and Maggie Nelson, which finally cracked open the world of poetry and creative writing in a way I could grasp. Since then, I’ve fallen down into a rabbit hole I don’t think I’ll ever want to get out of.
Recommended Reading: My Two Favorite Poetry and Writing Books
I haven’t been the same for years. I’ve found myself continually wanting to write and explore literature. Over time, my obsession with writing poetry resulted in various daily writing routines that I have tweaked to optimize writing output. And I’ve maintained a habit of writing for one to two hours per day since then.
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Poetry: It’s Not as Fancy as You Think and It’s for Everyone
I used to think that poetry was some high-brow artistic form of writing. I thought that I’d never be able to understand, let alone write poetry, even though I was already an avid writer and reader.
Maybe it’s because poetry is intimidating at first due to its literary history and importance to countless civilizations, both ancient and new. Perhaps it’s because of its history of religious poetry, passing down legends and mythologies, or its significant use in addressing societal and cultural shifts. This fear of poetry is pretty common for people interested in it but hesitant to jump in.
I read tons of books on writing poetry. I’m keen to find reliable resources with pro tips that I can use to push my poetry in new directions. But reading poetry more than writing seems to positively affect my work. I’d highly recommend balancing time between reading and writing poetry to advance your writing.
Reading Suggestions: Excellent Books on Poetry by Robert Pinsky
Interested in Writing Poetry? Jump into the Rabbit Hole and Have Fun!
What can I say about poetry, about writing? Read, write, write some more, and get your hands on as much great poetry as possible. If you love it, let it become your obsession. Take joy in poetry and memorize poems you love; this has helped me compose and acknowledge the value of being able to read poetry effectively at events.
Are You a Poet? Or Are You New to Writing Poetry? Let’s Chat
Do you write poetry? When did you start, and why do you continue to write? Connect with me today and leave a comment below! I’d love to know your influences and what your writing routine is.
Enjoyed this post?Here’s 3 easy ways to come up with ideas for poems!
The last two months have been wild. I have been caught up in moving to San Francisco and exploring the city. Going from a slightly greener and very dry Salt Lake City to humid city life by the sea has been an enormous change. But I love every minute of it.
Living in the city has its pros and cons. I love the convenience of being downtown; we’re close to everything important. It’s easy to run errands, pick up groceries, find new shops, and take in amazing views of the city at every step. A con: it’s necessary to watch where you step and keep an eye out in some neighborhoods, but this comes with living in every big city.
A short walk, and I can see the Transamerica Pyramid and the Bay Bridge. I can wander north into Chinatown and then even further to Fisherman’s Wharf. The gradual visible changes between neighborhoods create a beautiful blend of living that melds together. The neighborhood’s various styles and layouts differ so drastically; it’s like walking through different cities sometimes. But I find it comforting and refreshing; there’s more life here, more choices, more.
(Transamerica Pyramid photo by Alina Happy Hansen 2021)
Walking downtown among the skyscrapers, I’ve managed to get lost a couple of times. It’s easy to get caught up in the beautiful architecture, the modern mixed in among the old Victorians. The sheer height of these buildings and the contrast in designs among them are captivating.
(the Bay Bridge photo by Alina Happy Hansen 2021)
I love how dense the city is, with almost more than 4x the population as SLC jammed into approximately 49 square miles, every inch of space is utilized. Instead of being spread out for miles like SLC, it’s meticulously stacked and organized to fit as many people in as possible. I love hearing so many different languages being spoken when I walk around. I love being a part of this multi-cultural microcosm. It’s like living in a kaleidoscope, mesmerizing and beautiful at the same time.
(Coit Tower and the Bay Bridge photo by Alina Happy Hansen 2021)
I’m still settling in, getting familiar with the city’s layout, and trying to memorize the patterns. I’ve managed to compile a list of places I already go regularly and an even more extensive list of places I want to visit.
While I’m exploring and learning about life in SF, I’ve been getting back into my daily writing routine (writing 2k words a day), writing poems here and there, and of course, I’ll be pulling out my novel that I’ve been working on for years now. I have a few ideas for a handful of short stories I’m still contemplating about, but I can feel I’m about to go into an extensive streak of writing in every spare moment I have.
The Pandemic & More
While I’ve been going through this enormous change, it’s been a balancing act between staying positive and aware of the Delta Variant. I feel safer living in SF compared to SLC, the response here to COVID-19 and now Delta is proactive. They take it seriously here.
I wear a mask when I go out because I don’t want to get sick. Even though I’m fully vaccinated and if I get COVID-19, there is a better chance that my symptoms will be less severe and an even lower chance I’d have to go to the hospital; I’m not interested in taking the risk.
The long-term effects of COVID on people’s health are concerning, and the risk of spreading COVID to an unvaccinated person who has a higher chance of dying is reason enough to keep my distance.
I appreciate that SF has reinstated a mask mandate that applies to everyone regardless of their vaccination status. I’m just waiting to see what happens in the fall. With the number of cases in the U.S. rising already and children getting COVID, I feel like there is a good chance of soft closures in some cities.
In no way do I feel like things are “back to normal” I am getting the impression it could be another year of uncertainty, deaths, and a consistent rate of cases until the U.S. and daily life starts to resemble pre-COVID times.
Besides the Pandemic, I’ve been keeping an eye on politics, the insane weather resulting from global warming, and the details coming out about the January 6th Insurrection. There is so much going on, the world has been shaken up, and I don’t think things will settle down any time soon.
But I’ll take my slice of success and paradise living in SF with my boyfriend; I’ll take this welcomed change and keep going. I’m not going to blindly pretend things are “back to normal” or will go back to the way it was. That’s just not the case. It’s the time to plan for the future, stay aware, be active, and stay safe.
One year ago, on March 16th, I wrote my first “Coronavirus” blog post. Rereading it today, it is still wild to think how crazy last March was. This past year has been tumultuous worldwide, in the U.S., and in Salt Lake City. 2020 will be a year I’ll never forget, and it has shaped my life in ways I could never have thought possible.
Flashback to March 16th, 2020
I remember work being slow for a few weeks leading up to when we closed. I remember being tight on money since me and my boyfriend had just moved into a new apartment on March 1st. I was okay with being sent home; I could organize our new place and make money later. Then, the news began to spread Coronavirus was in the States, then suddenly someone had it in Utah, then I was being told everyone was going to be laid off in a matter of days.
On March 18th, a 5.7 earthquake struck Magna, Utah, less than 15 miles away from Salt Lake City. It shook our entire (and already crooked) 104-year-old apartment multiple times. Even weeks after, slight tremors and more minor earthquakes rippled through the valley, shaking our place and our lives. All I remember thinking with every additional quake was, “The building could collapse, and we’re going to be homeless.” Thankfully our place is still standing, although slightly more crooked than before. But I have never been more stressed out in my entire life than in March 2020, and it didn’t stop there.
Looking back on all of it, we are fortunate. During this last year, I had to cash out my retirement savings to get by and apply for unemployment. I wrote Poetry for $, creating little art/poem pieces for friends and family.
Without that money, we would’ve had to move out and figure out where to go. There was no way we could have survived on just my boyfriend’s income.
Every day I spent a minimum of eight hours applying to online jobs and searching for any way to make money. I was scrambling to find something to hold onto while working through the bizarre new reality we are living.
This is stuff out of a sci-fi novel; this is a dystopian futuristic story plot like no other. The events of last year felt like something right out of a South Park episode.
It didn’t help that we had Trump in office, that for months he downplayed COVID-19 and then dismantled resources to combat it. He spouted hateful rhetoric when the Black Lives Matter protests spread across the nation after the murder of George Floyd in May. Trump made it clear, to him and his followers, it became us vs. them, White vs. Black, rich vs. poor.
Over and over again, Trump poured fuel on the fire, working hard to divide the country. Then after the 2020 election results came in, it was all lies and accusations. Everyone besides Trump was lying about everything that negatively affected him and his presidency.
All of it came to a climax when domestic terrorists comprised of Trump fanatics, QAnon conspiracy theorists, and white supremacists descended on the Capitol on January 6th, 2021.
The aftermath resulted in five people dead and hundreds arrested by the FBI. A national search continues for the remaining extremists that stormed the Capitol, planted explosives, defiled, and mocked our country.
I’m not quick to forget events like these. We were so close to losing it all, and many more could have died, throwing our entire nation into further chaos.
The future of the U.S. is uncertain, and I still feel it is ready to collapse at any moment without the proper action. I have only hope for the future, but I am cautious about fully trusting Biden and Harris. I hope they can help unite the country, remain active, and fight for everyone’s future in the U.S.
I’ve been impressed with the Biden administration’s action in combating the pandemic, hatred, and inequality both socially and economically in the nation. But they can’t go soft or let up for just a minute. It could all go to waste since the GOP is in chaos but vehemently against any new administration’s efforts to level the playing field for all Americans.
Republicans everywhere are working to pass stricter bills on voting. With every step forward, they keep trying to send us decades back into the past.
We can’t go back. We can only move forward, which means working for a future that benefits ALL, not just a selected few.
In May 2020, I applied to a remote Literary Internship for a private publishing house, and I got it! Since then, I learned how to expertly read slush piles, review galley edits, and hone my growing skills as a Developmental Editor. I work with authors and polish manuscripts at almost every stage, getting them ready for publication. I love this internship and have learned so much during all these months. The experience that I’ve gained from this internship is invaluable, and I know it will help my career.
The skills that I utilize in my Literary Internship inspired me to become a freelance Beta Reader on Fiverr. I know what my time is worth, and I work hard. I made some decent side money last year helping fellow writers hone their pieces.
Now I am more prone to thinking outside of the box when it comes to making money. I ask myself, what are some unique skills that I can utilize to help people? and more importantly, what is my time and my knowledge worth? I value my skills and time more than ever now, and I know that it’s wise to ask for decent compensation because my work is worth it.
Last summer, I did the unthinkable. After months and months of applying to remote jobs, I did it! I was hired as a Writer/Analyst by a startup company based in New York City that provides real-time reports on crime, police activity, fires, and events that affect public safety. This job is incredible, and I love the work that I do.
For the first time my B.A. English was necessary on an application. My writing and my passion for keeping people informed and safe were valued. Now I am doing something I love, and it’s incredible. It was a huge relief after I spent hundreds of hours searching for work and eventually applying to over 450 jobs.
I am more driven than ever to write as much as possible. Besides surviving last year, working full-time, plus a part-time internship, and freelancing, I am still working on my Novel, poetry, and applying to literary journals and readings.
There is never enough time, so I feel like I have to make every second count and continue to work on my goals.
Since the pandemic, I learned how to stock up on food and plan for the future. I am now used to buying one extra whenever I go to the store and rationing. I’m all about good deals, so I diligently use coupons and cashback options whenever they’re applicable. I am also looking down the road 5-10 years to make sure I never find myself in such a hand-tied situation like I was last March.
We’re moving out of the state next Spring. We’re very excited, and it’s been a long time coming, but with my job and hard work, we’re finally able to make a significant step forward in our long-term plans of leaving Utah for good. We never wanted to live here for as long as we have, and I’ve been doing my best trying to move out of state since I was 18, so it seems fitting it’s all finally coming to fruition. For the first time, we have a solid plan with dates lined up and steps in place to get going.
After a year, so much has changed. My outlook on life (very positive), my goals (to make the world safer for everyone), my career (using my writing to help people), and taking care of myself and my family. I look forward to the future and I am hopeful it will get better.
What’s Normal Now
Since last March, we’ve worn masks whenever we go outside our apartment. We’ve stayed home and hoped we wouldn’t lose anyone to COVID-19. I know a handful of people that have lost family members to the virus and I know more people who have gotten it. Wearing a mask is normal for us and we have a huge selection to choose from. It’s natural for us to always put one on when we leave home.
We’ve been very careful and will continue to social distance and wear masks until it’s officially deemed safe enough that we won’t have to. I’m hoping we’ll be able to get vaccinated soon but we’re in no rush, other people should get the shot before us, since we don’t have any underlying health conditions. I have my fingers crossed my family and friends survive this and we all make it out alive.
What’s happened in your life the past year? Have you lost someone to COVID-19? Were you laid off or looking for work? Are you still struggling to survive?
This year has sucker-punched me so often on so many different levels; I’m not celebrating Independence Day.
A bad taste in the mouth.
Black Lives Matter protests and the fight against police brutality distorted into criminal acts by those that oppose it (I do not deny there are riots, I’m emphasizing how those against the protests are discussing the peaceful demonstrations). I live in a country where the government and its leaders have continually failed to fight the spread of COVID-19. Now other countries are banning travelers from the U.S. What does that say about how the rest of the world regards America? And The POTUS continues to try to cause even more division in this country with dismal speeches.
Yeah, I’m not feeling it.
Give me hope, give me peace of mind.
We need leaders that unite and fight to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the citizens.
Prove me wrong, please. Stand up and take action. Care for one another, wear a damn mask, and fight against injustice.
Is it so hard to care about people?
Since this post is just a bundle of joy, here are some positives that have made my week a bit better.
This is My Personal Reflection on Events in the U.S. This Week.
The Murder of George Floyd, Protests turned Riots combined with the spread of COVID-19 and Record-Breaking Unemployment all combine with the growing tensions in the U.S. with an increase in possible societal combustion across the country.
This week has been crazy. And I’ve been trying to moderate my intake of news. But this is too much.
The murder of George Floyd, the protests, now riots, and this morning The New York Times Breaking News that Military police units are preparing for possible deployment,
“The move does not mean that the units will be activated, but it is a first step toward doing so, officials said. Deploying military police units — likely from Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Fort Drum in New York — would represent an escalation in the government response to the unfolding events, in an echo of past uprisings over racial tensions in America. Military police units were used in 1992 during the aftermath to the Rodney King verdict in California.”
Justice for George Floyd is necessary. And I can’t help thinking about how this week has brought more attention to the issue of systemic racism in the U.S.
I wrote about racist rhetoric, white-supremacy, and systemic racism as an undergrad:
There was an increase of racist posters, graffiti, and rhetoric at The University of Utah and other nearby college campuses. I gathered reports of these events, and argued in my essay, that this was growing evidence that there is an organized white-supremacists presence with an agenda.
OPINION: Since the election of Trump in 2016, I believe there is an increase in the activity of white-supremacist organizations and the distribution of their rhetoric across the nation. This is a serious concern of mine. And the events of Charlottesville are still fresh in mind.
Increase in unemployment, loss of jobs, the rise of poverty, and now the protests and riots resulting from the murder of George Floyd; these are all elements when combined, can combust in violence and death. I fear that people will die as a result.
I can’t help it, I’m trying to stay positive, I’m trying not to stress, but I can’t ignore these signs that I feel are so blatant right now. Something is happening, something is going to happen, I just hope that it’s not military intervention, violence, and death.
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