My 4 Current Wordy Obsessions

I've been inspired by so many words lately in various forms. Whether it's a poem, a song, an article, or something I overheard, everyone has so much to say and I love it. I especially love when I find an intriguing paragraph, or even a single stream of words, that makes me feel something strong. Or consider something differently than I originally thought. Or reinforce something I believe wholeheartedly because it was articulated so well. 

This is why I've always loved singer/songwriters, folksy music, poetry, abstract art and any other kind of expression. Artistic expression in any form, but especially writing, is one of the most powerful ways to find truth in the world. I know, I'm getting deep here. But I love it!  

If you're feeling inspired, or happen to care about what's inspired ME, these are some of my favorite words at the moment: 


1. A viral article written on a social site by a stereotypical college student obsessed with blogging

No matter what your opinion is on sites like Thought Catalog that suck up hours of your time, they're a prime place for expression and, idealistically, that's all that matters...right? And there are more gems out there than you think. 

"I don’t want someone to be my other half, I want someone who makes me feel whole on my own. .. I don’t want him to be the best part of me, I want him to encourage me and push me to be the best self I can be on my own. I want a partner." 

I love this writer's entire outlook. I've learned the same lesson and it's such an honest way to look at love. The article is thoughtful and questions what society says love should be. I admit, I'll never stop loving the tearful "you're my better half" lines in chick flicks, but they're overrated and untrue for real life. She articulated it SO well, even with the occasional comma splice. 

2. A poem that I unearthed by the recommendation of someone else

I posted this on Facebook the other month, but I'm still obsessed with it. Not everyone enjoys poetry, but I feel like it's under appreciated. I personally love poems that tell a story and hit you with something profound at the end. This one is so great, and you know it's a good poem by the fact that you have to read the whole thing. There's no possible way for me to pick an excerpt: 

The Quiet World
by Jeffrey McDaniel 

In an effort to get people to look
into each other’s eyes more,
and also to appease the mutes,
the government has decided
to allot each person exactly one hundred   
and sixty-seven words, per day.

When the phone rings, I put it to my ear   
without saying hello. In the restaurant   
I point at chicken noodle soup.
I am adjusting well to the new way.

Late at night, I call my long distance lover,   
proudly say I only used fifty-nine today.   
I saved the rest for you.

When she doesn’t respond,
I know she’s used up all her words,   
so I slowly whisper I love you
thirty-two and a third times.
After that, we just sit on the line   
and listen to each other breathe.

3. A famous poem from a historical poet with a few lines that have somehow become cliche and turned into pins on Pinterest, even though the whole poem is great

I admit, I was never introduced to Bukowsi in college. Either I didn't take the right literature classes, or professors thought he wasn't worth studying. Either way, I'm obsessed and I don't care what anyone thinks. His poetry is beautifully-worded and unafraid. That's why everyone everywhere pins 2 lines from this poem, and I get it. They're perfect. Read the whole poem, though. The whole story is perfect in a melancholy, honest way. 


"...it was the upper case. you were one of the
best female poets and I told the publishers, 
editors, “ her, print her, she’ mad but she’
magic. there’ no lie in her fire.” I loved you
like a man loves a woman he never touches, only
writes to, keeps little photographs of..."

4. One of the many artistic, poetic, AMAZING songs from the up-and-coming Irish singer (the best kind) named Hozier 
 
Hozier is my last obsession for the moment, not to be overlooked. His voice tells a story just like his lyrics, and his entire album is flawless and authentic. He's already making big moves in the music world just by giving us something different and magical.

"Work Song" is one of my favorites, but there are so many more. Listen to anything you can find by him. Please. The chorus for this one is powerfully simple: 

"When my time comes around
Lay me gently in the cold dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her" 


Until next time, I'll leave you with one last bit:
"It's how we feel about ourselves when we're alone that must guide our decisions" --  The Farm by Tom Rob Smith