Poetry and Dreams Make Good Bedfellows

On June 24 I led a workshop called “The Poetic Dream” at the International Association for the Study of Dreams 30^th annual conference in Virginia Beach.

Dreamers spent the afternoon reading and writing poetry that came from dreams. Toward the end of our session, I asked participants to discuss what they learned in the process. Here is some of what they said:

• Our poems and our dreams have common themes.
• Dreams and Dream Poems offer new perspectives on life.
• Writing Dream Poems was transformational.
• Writing Dream Poems is fun, easy, and satisfying.
• The process was freeing, led to greater understanding, and helped the dream poet feel seen.
• Writing dream poems helps us communicate with ourselves and others.
• The process was rich with the goodness of simplicity.
• Dream Poems highlight the uniqueness of each individual.
• The process of writing in a group fostered togetherness and helped us get to know one another better.
• We gained insight about our dreams by writing the poems.
• Dreams offer raw material to poets and writers
• Dream Poetry helps us make intuitive connections

And one more thing…poets suggested that perhaps next year we make a Dream Poetry anthology filled with poems by IASD dreamers. I’m on board for that! Stay tuned for further developments.

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If you want to write a dream poem, try this:

How to write a dream poem:

1. Think of a dream you had recently, or a recurring dream.
2. Write the dream in the present tense, as if it is happening now. Use descriptive language and strong verbs.
3. Re-read what you’ve written. Insert line breaks and delete unnecessary words.

or:

Write a poem in which each line begins with the words: I dream …. You can include things you dream about at night … as well as dreams you hold for your future, day dreams, etc.

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If you’d like to learn more about my dreamwork practice, schedule an appointment for dreamwork, purchase a dream journal, or buy a dreamwork gift certificate for friend, visit me at Third House Moon.