Jodi Hottel
Anais Nin said, “We write to taste life twice, in the moment, and in retrospection.”
Her statement captures one of the reasons I am a poet. My poetry, whether in response to a personal experience, a work of art, or a slice of history, usually comes into being through an emotional experience that I want to taste again and allow my readers to sample as well.
A RECENT POEM:
Reasons to Keep Writing
because the world needs more poetry
because there are so many em dashes—
and so little time
because every dog should have a poem written about her
and every person needs a love poem
because it requires all of your attention
because it keeps you sane
[and no one will be able to live with you if you don’t]
because all your friends do
because the best people are poets
because there are clouds
because it gives you a reason to take a walk
because you want to remember
because you need to call on rain
to grieve
to rejoice
to create music
to use your breath
because it’s legal to repeat, break all the rules
because writing is infinitely inventive
because you can join tradition
repudiate tradition
invent a new form
because it’s so lucrative
because you’re getting cranky
just to see the reaction you get when you say,
I’m a poet