Random acts of poetry: a brief explanation

He called it a step in the right direction.

We had just gotten back from a three day roadtrip from north of Brisbane at the Woodford folk festival, where we rang in the new year with poets, artists, musicians, hippies, university kids, fire dancers and bohemians. Over a cup of coffee, I explained to him the importance of a poet spreading her word. And how much I wanted to get my word out there in the world, to inspire people, to make them smile, or make them think. Mostly to help change consciousness.

He leaned in and said
"Maybe this is a step in the right direction"
And explained to me the plan.

Some people go about their lives, working hard, keeping on schedule, organizing and planning, and they forget to take a deep breath and just think about the moment. They're productive, certainly, and their strength is admirable. But the constant wear and tear of life under high pressure becomes more and more evident in such people. They've stopped smiling. They don't make eye contact. They walk quickly with their hands in their pockets and eyes cast downward. And then there are some people that cause a slight ripple in the lives of others. They make eye contact with their waiters, they smile at strangers, they remember people's names and greet them later on the street, they wave to children, talk to beggers, and sing to themselves as they walk down the street.These people may once have been the former, hard working, dilligent etc. But something happened. A random act of poetry. A smile from a stranger, an anonymous note of kindness. And suddenly, like flicking on a light switch, they become illuminated, and illuminate others just by being themselves.

It was there, in that cafe, where it became our mission to illuminate as many people as possible. Not only with a greeting or a smile, but with poetry. A small reminder that for better or worse, we are blessed to be alive. A small note and a silly picture, and hidden inside a work of poetry. Perfect.



I don't think it's going to change the world. I don't think it's even going to make a real dent. You never know who you'll inspire, or who will just throw it away without looking at it.
But maybe it is a step in the right direction.