{"id":1419,"date":"2006-03-08T14:48:43","date_gmt":"2006-03-08T22:48:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/express\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T16:49:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T00:49:30","slug":"express","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/express\/","title":{"rendered":"Express"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>On Writing Poetry<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Considering the ways in which so many of us waste our time, what would be wrong with a world in which everybody were writing poems? After all, there&#8217;s a significant service to humanity in spending time doing no harm. While you&#8217;re writing your poem, there&#8217;s one less scoundrel in the world. And I&#8217;d like a world, wouldn&#8217;t you, in which people actually took time to think about what they were saying? It would be, I&#8217;m certain, a more peaceful, more reasonable place. I don&#8217;t think there could ever be too many poets. By writing poetry, even those poems that fail and fail miserably, we honor and affirm life. We say <em>&#8220;We loved the earth but could not stay.&#8221;<\/em><br \/>\n<br \/>\n&#8211;Ted Kooser<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Poetry Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanlifeinpoetry.org\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">American Life in Poetry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcsj.org\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Poetry Center San Jose<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.poems.com\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Poetry Daily<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.poetryflash.org\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Poetry Flash<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/poetryfoundation.org\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Poetry Foundation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.poetrymagazine.org\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Poetry Magazine<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/poetrymagic.co.uk\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Poetry Magic<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/poetry.org\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Poetry.org<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.org\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Poets &#038; Writers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.poets.org\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Academy of American Poets<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Other Resources for Expression<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.immi.se\/intercultural\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Journal of Intercultural Communication<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmci.org\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">National Multicultural Institute<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tolerance.org\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tolerance.org<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wwcd.org\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">World of Cultural Democracy<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>My Own Poems<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2005\/09\/06\/excursion\/\">Excursion<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/10\/a-different-pledge\/\">A Different Pledge<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/12\/full-circle\/\">Full Circle<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/14\/minstrel\/\">Minstrel<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/13\/crucifixion\/\">Crucifixion<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/15\/in-my-garden\/\">In My Garden<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/16\/moon\/\">Moon<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/17\/room-to-play-2\/\">Room to Play <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/17\/recognition-2\/\">Recognition<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/18\/kali-in-an-onion\/\">Kali in an Onion<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/19\/california-living\/\">California Living<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/19\/theres-always-looking-after\/\">There&#8217;s Always Looking After<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/21\/only-the-emptiness\/\">Only the Emptiness<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/22\/impermanence\/\">Impermanence<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/22\/unable\/\">Unable<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/27\/despite\/\">Despite<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/03\/29\/one-thin-line\/\">One Thin Line<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/04\/01\/at-bedside\/\">At Bedside<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/04\/02\/for-diana\/\">For Diana <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/04\/03\/missing-central-new-york\/\">Missing Central New York<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/04\/04\/chained\/\">Chained<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/04\/05\/enough\/\">Isn&#8217;t It Enough?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/04\/06\/monopoly\/\">Monopoly<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/04\/07\/haiku-2\/\">Haiku 1<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/04\/08\/rains-unceasing\/\">Rains Unceasing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/04\/09\/poor-nineteen\/\">Poor Nineteen<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/04\/09\/poetry-tidbit\/\">Poetry Tidbit<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/04\/11\/american-dream\/\">American Dream<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/05\/27\/sensate\/\">Sensate<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/07\/24\/a-line-is-a-dot-that-went-for-a-walk\/\">A Line is a Dot That Went for a Walk<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/07\/24\/damn-hot\/\">Damn Hot<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/08\/08\/still-life\/\">Still Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/08\/25\/a-little-desire\/\">A Little Desire<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/09\/01\/rush-hour\/\">Rush Hour<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/09\/03\/quenchable\/\">Quenchable<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/09\/03\/cat-nap\/\">Catnap<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/10\/31\/barely\/\">Barely<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2006\/12\/07\/on-the-way-to-the-library\/\">On the Way to the Library<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2007\/01\/03\/a-glimpse-of-my-youth\/\">A Glimpse of My Youth<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2007\/02\/20\/a-contemplation\/\">A Contemplation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2007\/03\/03\/the-lonely-hours\/\">The Lonely Hours<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2007\/03\/21\/a-visit-with-mother\/\">A Visit With Mother<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2007\/03\/22\/these-old-boots\/\">These Old Boots<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2007\/03\/24\/turf-war-with-a-spider\/\">Turf War With a Spider<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2007\/03\/27\/our-lifes-prayer\/\">Our Life&#8217;s Prayer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2007\/04\/29\/moonrise-2\/\">Moonrise<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2007\/11\/14\/surreal\/\">Surreal<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2008\/04\/01\/there-is-no-place-too-small\/\">There Is No Place Too Small<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2008\/06\/17\/oh-little-one-four-haiku\/\">Oh Little One: Four Haiku<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2011\/07\/28\/tonight\/\">Tonight<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2011\/08\/23\/out-to-pasture\/\">Out to Pasture<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2011\/08\/28\/brief-notes\/\">Brief Notes of an Adventure<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2011\/08\/30\/a-haiku\/\">Haiku 2<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2011\/09\/06\/a-haiku-2\/\">Haiku 3<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2011\/09\/13\/a-haiku-4\/\">Haiku 4<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2011\/09\/20\/a-haiku-3\/\">Haiku 5<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2011\/09\/27\/a-haiku-5\/\">Haiku 6<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2019\/05\/13\/haiku-3\/\">Haiku 7<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2012\/12\/15\/no-ordinary-life\/\">No Ordinary Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2013\/01\/14\/zazen-2\/\">Zazen<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2013\/11\/20\/reunion\/\">Reunion<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2014\/01\/03\/heaven-on-earth\/\">Heaven on Earth<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2014\/01\/27\/farewell-stella\/\">Farewell Stella<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2014\/02\/20\/glimpses-of-my-daughter-at-age-six\/\">Glimpses of My Daughter at Age Six<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2014\/11\/29\/gift-from-the-sea\/\">A Gift From the Sea<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2015\/01\/12\/the-dance\">The Dance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2017\/02\/20\/reflections-on-sesshin\/\">Reflections on Sesshin<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2017\/03\/04\/abuddha\/\">Abuddha<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2020\/03\/25\/pandemic-prayer\/\">Pandemic Prayer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2020\/09\/14\/you-must-stay\/\">You Must Stay<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Writing Poetry Considering the ways in which so many of us waste our time, what would be wrong with a world in which everybody were writing poems? After all, there&#8217;s a significant service to humanity in spending time doing no harm. While you&#8217;re writing your poem, there&#8217;s one less scoundrel in the world. And [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1419","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1419","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1419"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1419\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10160,"href":"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1419\/revisions\/10160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}