Here's an idea: the way to becoming a well-rounded poet is similar to the way to becoming a well-rounded person. And spring is the perfect season to broaden your horizons.
In the movie about the collaboration between W. S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan, Topsy Turvey, Gilbert is accused of being in a rut, writing the same ole story over and over and his composer Sullivan just doesn’t want to do it anymore. Meanwhile, Gilbert's wife goads him into attending the local Japanese Expo where he witnesses a new culture for the first time. One of the great, great scenes in the movie is a closeup of Gilbert as this new cultural information translates into a novel idea for him. Literally, Gilbert enacts the moment when a new thought appears like a sparkle in his eye. Jim Broadbent plays Gilbert and gives an amazing performance of this experience. Their musical The Mikado is the result of this inspiration.
Spring is the time for new input opportunities for your eyes, ears and smells!
- Go to see new art exhibits at local museums and galleries.
- Rent art documentaries from your local library.
- Take an online class on a composer or find music documentaries from your local library.
- Find out when your nearest city is having their Restaurant Week and price fix on fine dining for a fraction of the cost. Search Google for "Restaurant Week" and your city name.
- Go see the Oscar Shorts at your local theater or online. Oscar shorts are the short films nominated for Oscars in the categories of live action, animation and documentary. They tend to be very poem like in their constraints of length and storytelling.
Often art-changing inspiration can be found by taking a chance on something completely new.
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