This comes from the book: Ensouling Language by Stephen Harrod Buhner.
Directions: Choose 5 deeply meaningful words, ones that approximate the center of who you are and evoke emotive content for you. Write them down. Any words will do--as long as they are meaningful to you.
Example. Earth, Stone, Green, Leaves, Plants.
Or another. Love, Happiness, Child, Wandering, Hope.
Here was my list: Soul, Compassion, Creativity, Healing, Intuition.
Do this part of the exercise now without reading the rest of the directions...
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Next. "Write five poems, each of which uses all five of the words. You can use as many other words as you want, nevertheless each poem must contain all five of the words you have chosen. Take as much time as you need..."
When done, read the poems in sequence. You might be amazed by what comes out. Here are all five of mine in order...
One
the soul of healing
grabs intuition
and holds on
birthing compassion
creativity's apex.
Two
intuition speaks from soul
breathing with compassion
creating a healing force
magical enough
that few believe its existence.
Three
the real trick in life
is ferreting out compassion
from soul
when poured empty
and used up.
creativity wanders in
searching for healing intuition
that has sporified
in order to survive.
Four
living the soul's creativity
heals the parts of
intuition, wounded by those
that sacrifice
compassion on pain's altar.
Five
healing
pilgrimage of creativity
to soul's center.
seeking out
bits that keep us human.
splinters
most wanting of compassion.
the inward glance
pains.
but, in the stumbling dark
intuition
holds our hand.
