So I’ve been having some really in-depth and intense conversations about emotions lately.
I know a lot of the poetry I write is chock filled with what I call “emotional vomit”. I just have these emotions and instead of letting them pass I like to let them inspire me.
Their not always positive emotions, some of them are downright dark and scary.
I write in a negative way, not to breed negativity or to give it power, but to expose it to the light of the world.
During this discussion though I started to question if I was putting to much stock into the power of my emotionally driven style.
If I meditate and calm my mind, will I still be able to write powerful poetry?
If I empty my emotional bucket and write about the thoughts behind the emotions will I still have a passion for my writing?
So I did just that. The funny thing is that’s how I started writing this article.
From a logical non emotional standpoint. It definitely helped me center my thoughts.
However I tried to write some poetry and I stared at the screen for 30 minutes. I just didn’t know what to write about.
Usually I close my eyes and write without any direction and finish a piece in ten minutes. I do spend another ten minutes or so editing.
Now I am not saying this a golden rule. I am not saying you can’t write a good piece of non-emotional poetry, but I haven’t been able to.
To be brutally honest I have never liked a poem that didn’t make me feel something when I read it.
I plan on writing more on this topic tomorrow. I really want to explain just how important emotions have been in my path to recovery.
Again, I am not saying follow every emotion and let them dictate your life, but I wouldn’t suggest fearing them or being apathetic to the fact that yes sometimes emotions are going to kick in the face.
So to preface tomorrow, here’s one part of my past that field me emotionally.
I have never been as sad as when I lost my uncle. Cancer took him quickly and viciously.
We related on so many levels and he’s one of the people who told me to keep writing.
That deep sadness and anger I felt didn’t cripple me they fueled me to be a better writer.
Yes I was drowning in emotions, but death while a part of life, fucking sucks.
His words and his life are what kept me from sinking. I try and honor his spirit when I write.
I almost finished this without getting emotional, but nope I am definitely sad, but equally happy.
I miss my uncle and that sadness makes me remember just how important he is to me.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the conversation on emotional intelligence.
You can read that piece Here.
And you can read the poem that sparked the conversation Here.
Please feel free to comment on these posts and honestly any post I write.
I absolutely love hearing other peoples viewpoints on what I talk about.
Discussion breeds breakthroughs and there are some very thoughtful and knowledgeable people on here.
Thank you all so much for the support, and I hope you have a great day!
One Regular Dad 
Write what you feel. It’s about getting it out if your head, processing, and even allowing your vulnerability to show. It’s that vulnerability that connects the human spirit. 🙂
I have two blogs, one I write under a pseudonym. The freedom I have there where no one knows me allows me to be completely “naked” with my emotions. No veil, no politeness, just brutal honesty. It’s like catharsis.
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Yes I totally agree.
I used to write under a pseudonym, but I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I mean it took 20 years, but I am glad I did.
Thanks for sharing.
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I would agree that any poetry that doesn’t make you feel something is not worth the time. But honestly, and one step further, any work that doesn’t do that isn’t worth the time. Something like history should spark interest or recognition. Something like math should spark an understanding. All writing should be saying something and thus getting a reaction besides boredom.
As far as any emotions go that might inspire a writer, it sometimes gets limited (for example: anger, joy, sadness, happiness, etc.) Any of them can be used properly. Any of them can be used hundreds of times and never lose their impact. But they will not always be the only source of inspiration or the only effect that a work has on someone.
Long comment aside, I liked all the points you made in your work.
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That’s actually a very good long comment lol. It’s emotionally driven and I agree that emotions spark passion in any field.
I am always up to try different ways of writing though, and I respect everyone’s point of view.
Thanks for sharing and it’s always good to see comments from you.
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Nice post. You are doing the work, taking action, only 5% take action.
Their not always positive emotions, some of them are downright dark and scary.
I write in a negative way, not to breed negativity or to give it power, but to expose it to the light of the world.
Do you have a finite amount time you plan giving this process. What are your expectations?
It seems like you have an endless amount of dark emotions to write lots of poetry with.
How long do you think it is healthy for you to give this much attention to negative emotion?
I have helped PTSD sufferers who thought them being concert pianist, or an EMT was who they were. When PTSD took these identities away, life collapsed.
Do you want to heal and be happy or be a writer of poetry
Not that you have to choose
So sadness and grief are emotions that need processed then released
My mother served Lima beans every Thursday. I vomited them every week, then my father would take out the special large paddle with holes drilled in it and beat me, yelling until he got tired
This was just to let me know he owned me.
When my PTSD exploded, I thought about this everyday. Scary emotions of a petrified little boy being severely beaten
I ended up agoraphobic in my garage
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The thing is that I am happy and I am a poet, writer and an artist.
I have an amazing wife who loves me and an 8 year old daughter who’s getting the childhood I never got. I am surrounded by happiness and I have an infinite amount of that happiness that we can draw from each other.
But I still get angry and sad. So why does it matter how I process these emotions.
I can be happy and still write emotional poetry.
I think people can read it and feel like another human being understands their pain.
I think we all heal differently.
The truth is few things make me truly happy, but my family’s love and the introspection that my writing provides both do.
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