Hello Everyone!
Welcome to the new-ish Poetry section of our revamped Treeleaf Art Circle. As you can see, all of the existing poetry threads are still here (including the Haiku Club)—they’ve just moved into a new place on the forum.
I have been asked by Jundo and Kokuu to help provide support, guidance, and ultimately inspiration (I hope!). We already have a wonderful community of Treeleaf poets, and I want to ensure that you all continue to share your beautiful work with us. Additionally, I hope that we are able to inspire other members to pick up a pen (or a keyboard) and explore the wonderful world of poetry as an expression of our practice.
Largely, this poetry section will remain as it has—an open, welcoming space for all where we can share our love of poetry regardless of our own self-assessed skill level. This is a critique-free zone, and everyone should feel welcome and comfortable in sharing your work.
We do ask that all poetry shared here should relate to Zen and/or Buddhist practice on some level. Shared poetry certainly doesn’t have to be “about” Zen practice, but it should relate to our practice in some (even remote) way and/or try to adhere to a Zen aesthetic (such as how Haiku, Senryu, Haibun, and other such forms do). When in doubt, just share your work! Chances are, it will fit right in.
***Please Note: It should go without saying that any work shared here must be in accord with our practice of the Precepts (no hateful speech, no excessively violent writings, etc.). Please use your best judgement when posting. If you have any concerns, please PM me.
In the coming weeks, we will try some new things to help provide inspiration. Poetry prompts and possible collaborations with other sections of the Arts & Music Circle are already under consideration. Additionally, I plan to offer a new monthly “Featured Poet” thread. The goal is to spotlight a poet that you may or may not have heard of (always someone with a Zen connection or flavor to their work).
In the meantime, please continue to share your wonderful poems (of any style), and please let me know if there is anything new or different that you would like to see us try here in the poetry section.
Gassho,
Seikan (RobD)
-stlah-
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