Rhymes and Rhythms

How Poetry and Music Keep Me Sane (Mostly)

Words have always been a source of inspiration for me. On bad days, I consult my arsenal of music and poems for comfort. While I sometimes try to write poetry myself, I normally find solace in the writing of others. Poetry takes a certain type of confidence and vulnerability to share one’s emotions with the world. That's why I appreciate it so much – it’s comforting to know that someone else has experienced the same feelings as me and was creative enough to express it through a beautiful story.

Poetry and music have always been an integral part of my life, and I think it's because it reminds me that I'm not alone. It's motivating to read a poem or listen to a song and realize that someone else understands and has felt the same thing. Even if we come from different walks of life, we share a common ground in our emotions.

I owe my love for poetry to my first-year seminar professor at App State, Adrian Rice. Before taking his class, I often found myself disliking English classes where we would analyze the meaning of 200-year-old poems. But Rice, being a poet himself, was able to explain the meaning behind his own work and that of his friends, including Seamus Heaney. Rice's ability to connect with the class and give context to his poetry was fascinating. It made me feel more connected to the work knowing that someone going through harder things than me on a different continent can so gracefully put feelings I've griped over into words.

I keep two of my favorite poems by my bedside – "The Little Beetle" and "The Changeful Tap" – as reminders of some important truths. "The Little Beetle" reminds me that I can do hard things, moving swiftly through difficult times because I am built to let things ricochet off me and move past. "The Changeful Tap" encourages me to be patient and grateful, appreciating the people that love me even when they might make things a little inconvenient. It's taught me to slow down and appreciate life because being too rushed can cause me to miss all the good things.

Similarly, music from my favorite artists, like CharlestheFirst and Mac Miller, resonates with me on a deep level. Their lyrics (or lack of lyrics) speak to me, and on the hard days, knowing that someone else relates to the way I feel can go a long way in making me feel more understood. Charles is also the only artist I can study to, I love the experimental vibes of his music and the clear influence the outdoors have on his art.

I'll admit that some feelings in life are hard for me to face, and it's easier to ignore them than to put them into words. However, I'm working on being more open and honest with myself. For now, I find relief in knowing that many others have felt the same way, and that's what makes poetry and music so special – they remind us that we're not alone in our struggles.

A couple more poems I love just because – shoutout Brian Andreas

Cheers,

Katie Magnolia