Putting the Poems Back In My Body
the poems came from my body then
mused, marinated, mounted on the page
organized, revised, revived and designed
caressed by confidence, pressed, printed
the poems immigrated to the book
contained on silky pages, embraced by glossy covers
and now I need them back in my body
the task is to read, reassure, return
the words with gentle invitations back into
bloodstream, bones, belly
when soles meet stage on the full moon
heart will beat steadily, honouring the process
of gifting the poems to you, if you want to
tuck them under your skin, with love
This week, I engage is a very important part of the book launch prep process! I read every poem out loud, underline, add marginalia, and re-integrate the poems into my body so when I share them with you, I can do it freely, with love…despite the nerves and worries. It’s a way that I communicate with my nervous system and remind it that it is safe, even though my heart will be pounding with fear. I remember why I wrote and revive the courage that inspired the risk that is writing poetry. GULP.
VANESSA SHIELDS 