Writing short poems helps Faye Ball unwind
She thought of herself as a reader, not a writer, but Yorkshire-based Faye Ball has found scripting short poems a wonderful way to unwind
Faye finds inspiration in her photography
I’ve always loved reading. I’m a strong believer in the idea that those who read live so many more lives than those who do not. The problem, I find, is time. Or lack of it. I’d love to sit down and lose myself in a good book, but with my days so busy, I struggle to do it as regularly as I’d like. It was this realisation that sparked my passion for poetry.
Poetry can inspire in so few words. Instagram has created a wonderful platform for so many modern day poets, such as Lang Leav and Atticus. When I first set up my own account back in 2018, it wasn’t with the intention of writing anything myself. It was simply a place to share photos of my home county and favourite place in the entire world – Yorkshire.
But, it didn’t take long before I decided to give it a go. I started
by simply writing down words. Words that I felt I needed to hear. I write about love, loss and my hopes for the future. Most of the time, the poems come to me quickly. I have to write them down before I forget – which I usually do – other times, I reflect for a little longer. I’m mindful of how my day has been, what’s been good or bad about it, what emotions I have felt. I’ll also turn to my photographs. The seasons are often reflected so beautifully within them, it’s easy to draw inspiration.
Now, my Instagram feed is full of my poems, often accompanied by imagery that’s inspired them. They’re so personal, but I like to think my thoughts and feelings might strike a chord with others, too. Regardless, I’ve found that writing words down and forming them into
poetry makes me feel calm, more at peace with myself, and the world around me. Poetry has become such a big part of my life.
My top tip for prospective poets would be to start by reflecting on your day. What sights, smells, and experiences did you have that you think deserve to be recorded? What are you thankful for? Write down words, and the poems will follow. While I’ve chosen to share mine with others, you might prefer to keep yours private. That’s okay, too. Either way, I truly hope you gain the same sense of contentment I have from it – it’s a wonderful feeling.
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Be inspired by Faye’s beautiful poetry and photography by following her on Instagam @livinginyorkshire