• Skip to content

JJC

  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Poetry/Articles
  • Gather Ministries
  • Loop for Women
  • Loop Poetry Project
  • Rush Podcast
  • Flag Messages
  • Breathing Eden
  • Index
  • Contact

jjc

Poetry of Love Unchanging

JJC

  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Poetry/Articles
  • Gather Ministries
  • Loop for Women
  • Loop Poetry Project
  • Rush Podcast
  • Flag Messages
  • Breathing Eden
  • Index
  • Contact
  • Search
Like us on FacebookSubscribe to our Channel on YouTubeFollow us on PinterestFollow us on Instagram

poetry in sacred space

I’m not going to lie to you. Some days of writing poetry are not easy. It can look like staring at the blank page, willing it to say something.

But keep listening. Searching. Expecting.

There is no shortage of words and ideas and memories that want to speak. Pulling them forth, from the deep place where they hide–a line here, a picture there–requires both gentleness and tenacity. The words need convincing, you see. Whether they tumble out like crazed acrobats that need a safe place to land or they peek out from behind bedroom curtains or in cupboards in the kitchen like agoraphobic secret agents unsure if they want to come out of hiding, we must be prepared to receive them. We must let them know they are welcome. Even if our hearts aren’t sure what to do with them when we do coax them out and we’re all just standing there–the words and us–looking at one another quizzically, in the same room.

It might help, in these tricky situations, to start with an introduction: you to the words; the words to you. And the best way to do this? I have a suggestion: try having the introduction happen in what can best be described as sacred space. And this is actually going to be our poetry prompt this week too: letting our words and memories, our minds and our hearts, speak to us about sacred space. Let me tell you what I mean.

Sacred space is the place within you where words of truth are formed. It is the place deep within you that harbors memory, reflects thought, pursues relationship, engages in emotion whether it be rage or sadness or elation or pain. It is the place within you, that deeper place, that wants to communicate what is most true. To write poetry of the heart–poetry that pursues wholeness-we must let ourselves inhabit a space of truth when we write.

It is in this sacred space where we call forth our heart’s deepest cries. It is the place we heed most attentively when we write poetry. We lean in close, trusting that our hearts, who inhabit and know this sacred space, have something to teach us–and that we, as listeners, are capable of writing it down.

One of the books I love–Poetic Medicine: The Healing Art of Poem-Making, by John Fox, says poems of sacred space “turn your accute observations into a poem of place: a place that invites poems.”

So, the writing prompt for Loop Poetry Project this week is to consider your sacred space and write a poem that brings it to life somehow. Acute observation will help, and here are some questions to consider:

  • What does your sacred space look like? Feel like? (Consider colors, textures, smells.)
  • What memories does it evoke?
  • Is it a physical space, or a space represented in your imagination? (Consider the quality of the light: is it light or dark?)
  • How does it make you feel to be there? (This is super important–listen to your heart here. Make sure your feelings are represented.)
  • Is there a story connected with this space?
  • Are objects here from your childhood?
  • Is it a physical place you inhabit regularly?

Here is a poem I wrote this week about a place of sacred space for me, which happens to represent an isolated experience from my childhood:

This poem has been rewritten several times since I wrote it last week–and it might need a few more rounds of edits, although I will let sit it here a while before diving in again. But when I considered the topic of sacred space, I thought of the essence of childhood, its purity and wildness. And also the topic of family and home–the years of my growing up in an almond orchard, my dad a farmer and my mom always near. This is an example of sacred space for me–and I let myself enter back into a very particular memory to write the lines of this poem. Sacred space for you may have nothing to do with childhood. I would love to know what your heart deems as sacred space.

Of course, you don’t have to write a poem about sacred space. Write about anything you wish–anything your heart is wanting you to hear. Your poetry writing is not about catharsis (more about that later) but about the pursuit of wholeness. Honor your heart. Honor your feelings. Let your heart speak. Do your best to use language that represents its cry.

If you ever want to share your poems throughout the week on social media, please use the hashtag: #looppoetryproject so we can find each other. I follow #looppoetryproject on Instagram, and I will be excited to share your poems on my Instagram stories throughout the week. And if you are part of the Loop Poetry Project Facebook group, it will be great, if you feel led (no pressure!) to share your poems with the community over there.

Finally, in the comments–please feel free to share your thoughts on sacred space and/or share your poems! You certainly don’t have to write a poem if you don’t want to, but I’d love to hear your ideas about what sacred space means to you.

from this one true heart,

jennifer

Share
Pin
Tweet

10/18/201922 Comments on poetry in sacred space

22 Comments

  1. Sarah Ashdown
    1 year ago Permalink

    Only I know the way and sometimes even I struggle to find it, for it makes itself elusive to preserve its sanctity. I have to need to be there, need to meet with strangers and mockers and tyrants and ogres until I meet myself amongst them. In my room without a roof I take a seat of honour and there it begins.
    The dig.
    The dirt.
    The wild wrestling for the saving of the soul.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Camp
      1 year ago Permalink

      Wow, wow, Sarah. You draw me in. “…need to meet with strangers and mockers… until I meet myself among them..” And “In my room without a roof…” I am captivated.. What is your heart saying to you through these words?

      Reply
      • Pip Sheehan
        1 year ago Permalink

        Definitely calming, that’s so insightful, thanks for your feedback Jennifer. It’s always a choice to breathe & find the beauty at the start of each day. Writing it down seems to deepen, or focus, the choice of moving into “sacred space”.

        Reply
    • Dale Cupo
      1 year ago Permalink

      powerful

      Reply
      • Christie Suttle
        1 year ago Permalink

        In the quiet of the dawn.
        Crisp morning air
        A breeze blows
        Autumn leaves floating like snow
        Rustling along sidewalks
        The scent of moisture on the breeze
        I meet you here in this sacred space before the busyness of my day.
        You are always there. I need only to be quiet and wait.
        Be still and know

        Reply
    • Rhonda Kessinger
      1 year ago Permalink

      Wow, I love your writing! So soulful. I can relate to this, as sometimes we must come into contact with other “characters” in our physches to get to ourselves and the truth. I’m no great writer or critic. But I loved this😁

      Reply
  2. Heather Payne
    1 year ago Permalink

    I really like your idea of a sacred place to write in. I think it could help to set the tone for poetry writing.

    Thank you for sharing this idea and your poem was lovely.

    I enjoy receiving your loop messages. I like your style of writing. It speaks to my heart.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Camp
      1 year ago Permalink

      Hi Heather, I am so happy to connect with you here. When you think of sacred space for you, what comes to mind? How does your heart define it?

      Reply
    • Susan Crowsen
      1 year ago Permalink

      A Sacred Space

      a place where no lies can enter in…

      a place for me
      a place of honour and rest
      I belong here
      this is my home
      with You
      and me

      my heart is here, safe
      filled
      held
      honoured
      acknowledged
      washed
      blessed
      received
      refreshed

      I want nothing more than this…

      Su Crowsen
      19 October 2019

      Reply
      • Dale Cupo
        1 year ago Permalink

        my heart is here, safe
        filled
        held
        honoured
        acknowledged
        washed

        so true!!

        Reply
        • Susan Crowsen
          1 year ago Permalink

          thank you xxx

          Reply
    • Susan Crowsen
      1 year ago Permalink

      thank you xxx

      Reply
  3. Pip Sheehan
    1 year ago Permalink

    I board my balcony
    like walking up
    the gangplank
    of a cruise liner
    expecting to depart
    for distant shores.
    The luggage
    a carefully made
    cup of tea.
    The horizon
    a shimmer of birdsong
    a gleam of tree breeze
    a lap of far off traffic noise.
    Departing for destinations
    of Reflection & Meditation,
    this morning journey
    is my day’s way
    of casting off
    onto Wonder Ocean.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Camp
      1 year ago Permalink

      Well, this ushers me into calmness and beauty–a place to breathe and relax. Love the language. Thank you, Pip. How did it feel to write this?

      Reply
    • Dale Cupo
      1 year ago Permalink

      yes so very calming to my spirit

      Reply
  4. Dale Cupo
    1 year ago Permalink

    Sacred Space Prompt
    Thank you Jennifer for sparking again my love of words and again the continuing reminder that Jesus is the living word living in us… When I am truly still in his presence we “meet” in the quiet of remembrances of childhood moments that use to be marked with shadows but are now safe spaces.

    Grassy Hills Beckoning roll down

    Flowery Fields to wander ’round

    Woolly Blankets spread across the ground

    Cloud Formations begging to be found

    Jesus’ presence now abounds

    Familiar places now made sound

    the meeting place where mystery becomes unwound

    thoughts no longer earthbound

    His truth and fellowship astounds

    Fear and worry no longer confounds

    The Sacred place his love surrounds

    Reply
    • Carol-Anne F Forsythe
      8 months ago Permalink

      Really nice – enjoyed reading this poem.

      Reply
  5. Lora Terry
    1 year ago Permalink

    I love this so much. Finally a space to share and feel safe in it.

    I can come unarmed
    To this space. It holds me safe. Exposing my
    Wounds and scars in this space, yet I am accepted. I am never too much for this place so I can belong here.
    No fighting feelings here, they are free to come, free to be felt like the showers of rain falling unexpectedly. My words are safe to come, safe to explore safe to put to paper. In this space my heart pours out the release of what has been trapped inside.
    I am safe here, you are safe here
    We are safe here.

    Reply
  6. Susan Crowsen
    1 year ago Permalink

    I really identify with this Lora…its beautiful…thank you…Sx

    Reply
  7. Sandie
    1 year ago Permalink

    This one wore me out…. it took me a week to really allow myself to go there.
    I have reservations about sharing this but, I’m going to.

    My sacred place is a holy space
    where I ask Holy Spirit to come.
    Where questions are asked
    of His Holiness
    where I let myself come undone.
    I lay down the lies that I’ve been told
    even the lies that I still hold.
    I lay down my aching heart.
    I lay down my regrets.
    I lay it all down and if I dare,
    I lay my questions in front of him there.
    Here in my sacred space,
    my quiet place
    this space is where I question it all.

    Father,
    Why has the world gone astray
    where cheaters live
    where I’ve been betrayed,
    where people I loved
    have come and gone
    in sickness and in health
    and the one who did me wrong?
    Why does loss leave scars so deep,
    why do I pray my soul to keep
    when I already know
    heaven’s the place
    where my soul will go?
    Can you tell me my purpose in life
    when I’m no longer someone’s wife?
    Why do I even care?
    Sometimes I feel I’m full of hot air.
    Can you tell me how
    the seeds I’ve planted
    all blossom and bloom
    they seem so enchanted
    by your love and grace,
    yet most days I feel displaced
    having been left behind
    by everything in life?
    I sit here now – I give you my strife.
    I know life will and can be hard
    but I’ve grown tired Lord
    I need a revival –
    I need you back in my life.
    Come Lord Jesus
    fill this holy space
    before you I shall bow.
    Life has taken turns to places
    I can’t figure out why or how.
    I put it in your hands
    my life is yours I know,
    Oh the great plans you have for me,
    sometimes i feel I have yet to see
    a life that’s fulfilling and majestically
    set to your pace…
    Holy Spirit come
    help me to see
    everything you’ve laid out for me.
    This is my sacred place
    inside of me-my holiest space
    where the scars etched on my heart
    are slowly erased
    this holy space is where love starts.
    Sandie Heckman

    Reply
  8. Dwen Guydon
    1 year ago Permalink

    Thank you Jenny for this great project. I am new to poetry but would love the members feedback.

    Lord, take my hand and walk with me for a little while
    Take me to our sacred place
    Where peace overflows my soul with happiness
    Fill me with your Holy Spirit
    Where the mind of Christ
    Sets me free from worry
    Take me to the mountain top
    Where my fears don’t exist
    Because the joy of the
    Lord is my strength

    Dwen Guydon

    Reply
  9. Jamie
    4 months ago Permalink

    Sacred Space

    Calming and at peace
    Although I have never been there before
    Cool blues of running waters
    Many greens of multi-furs an unending growth

    Youthful and healthy
    The air is clear
    Moments of liberation
    Pure blissfulness

    Not a place here on this earth
    Although a place to call home
    Yet in my imagination, it is as clear as you
    The beyond

    Together
    The feeling of completion
    Tears are now forgotten
    No more fear or desperation
    The rivers of living water

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Post navigation

Previous
Next

© 2021 Jennifer J. CampMINIMAL

Like us on FacebookSubscribe to our Channel on YouTubeFollow us on PinterestFollow us on Instagram
x