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Issue 32, Ways to turn towards the world

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Issue 32, Ways to turn towards the world

Creativity feeding abundance and how tuning in to your own unique source can inspire many others

sana rao
Feb 16, 2022
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Issue 32, Ways to turn towards the world

foundpoems.substack.com

“We see things not as they are, but as we are. Because it is the 'I' behind the 'eye' that does the seeing.”

―Anaïs Nin


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Hello poets,

As I was trying to find a poem for this issue, I made a journey through online corridors of the Tate Museums’ archive. On an instinct I thought I would find a clue to the next poem amidst the art. Often, when I research these issues, moments of synchronicities lead me to just the right poem - I just have to have the space and faith to follow the thread. Sure enough I landed on George Frederic Watts’ 1886 piece titled Hope, a painting known to have had a huge influence at its time.

I pulled on the thread, which lead me to Pablo Picasso’s The Old Guitarist – presumably inspired by Hope – which went on to inspire the Wallace Stevens poem The Man with a Blue Guitar (excerpt below) which in turn inspired a series of etchings by David Hockney.

G F Watt’s Hope, Pablo Picasso’s The Old Guitarist, David Hockey’s The Poet from The Blue guitar series

I am increasingly interested in why and how people create art and poetry and how they often feed each other – i.e. how the act of creativity can inspire more of it. The artist Agnes Martin famously said she made art with her back to the world; however, as much as she may have used art to escape from her difficult life, the reality is that her work is still exhibited in museums around the world, inspiring generations of artists and creators.

So, I prefer to look at art, poetry and creativity all as ways to turn towards the world, our viewpoints both revealing and changing the reality we see before us – something that Wallace Stevens captures perfectly in the excerpt below.

The Man With A Blue Guitar (Excerpt)

by Wallace Stevens

The man bent over his guitar,
A shearsman of sorts. The day was green.

They said, 'You have a blue guitar,
You do not play things as they are.'

The man replied, 'Things as they are
Are changed upon the blue guitar.'

And they said then, 'But play, you must,
A tune beyond us, yet ourselves,

A tune upon the blue guitar
Of things exactly as they are.'


Some inspiration this week

In my search for the perfect poem, this 503 error page on The Poetry Foundation’s website made me chuckle.

In other news, I was recently selected for Substack’s accelerator program for up and coming writers call Substack Go. The kick-off session was scheduled right in the middle of the most manic work week I have had in a long while - I almost didn’t show up. While the group of writers is too big to get any real connection, I did end up being placed in a group aptly titled ‘Russian Doll’, with some inspiring writers holding each other accountable, sharing their journeys and tricks. Finding a group of strangers on the internet who you can talk creativity with is a special kind of privilege. So to pass on the inspiration here are the links to my group mates. Give them a read!

Leftovers

A newsletter published on the first and third Friday of each month that features articles, book suggestions, librarianship, witchiness, music, and self-care.
By Lachrista Greco

To Write with Wild Abandon

How to Have Fun with Your Writing So You’ll Become More Creative and More Productive – and Reach Your Writing Goals
By Graham Strong

the animal eats

love letters to the world. poems, real and imagined. and also anything else. assembled with care by kristin lueke.
By Kristin Lueke

Hello Universe

Fun, thought-provoking poetry, every week.
By Punit Thakkar

EightyFour

An open-ended exploration of ideas in non-fiction books, business and life.
By Igor Ranc

Mitch’s Journal

Bodies of work, Pieces of art, and Gibberish.
By Mitch Brown

The Private Market Whisperer

🚀 Where investors, entrepreneurs, board members and advisors expand their knowledge of startup investing and get the best startup investment recommendations from the top equity crowdfunding platforms 🚀
By Peggy Van de Plassche

Goodwin Reads

📚 I refused rehab for my book-buying addiction. ✍🏼 Now, I'm a Bookstacker, writing my first novel. ❤️ Book reviews, hauls, TBR's, wrap-ups, tags, etc. 🗣 Buddy reads and discussion boards. 🥰 Don't miss out on another bookish email.
By Cory Goodwin

Last, but not least – I recently came across Bookshop.org, a UK based online bookshop and B-Corp with the mission to support local and independent bookshops -I highly recommend intercepting your next Amazon book purchase and redirecting that funding from Bezos' pockets to indie bookstores. Do have a look and shop from my curated recommendations here.

x

sana

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Issue 32, Ways to turn towards the world

foundpoems.substack.com
13 Comments
Lachrista Greco
Writes The Guerrilla Feminist
Feb 16, 2022Liked by sana rao

Looove this, and thank you for sharing my Substack! <3

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1 reply by sana rao
Cory Goodwin
Writes Goodwin Reads
Feb 18, 2022Liked by sana rao

Thank you 🥰🥰🥰 I’m really happy to be a part of your Substack Go group. We can make a meaningful connection. Brandon Sanderson, and others have said, that being part of a group is one, if not THE ONE, thing that can make us successful. There’s magical power in forming bonds and making a pact with others. To share the same journey. We can all lift each other up and beyond to achieve success beyond our wildest dreams.

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