I taught  a wide assortment of  humanities  courses throughout my teaching career;  it is difficult to choose.

I have to consider which writers brought me to recognize  the core values I have embraced for my entire lifetime.

What works  answered the questions of life and death?

Which ones gave me a world view that goes beyond current  trends and fashions?

How did I begin to understand the Zeitgeist of the times through the different authors and texts?

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During my undergraduate studies, contemporary American poet Robert Bly deeply influenced me.

At the same time, I was exuberant when I read the  language of the 16th century poets and wrote papers on romance and death I viewed  through the poetry  of the  English author, John Donne.

If I look back into my high school days I find it was the “Beat” poets who occupied my literary  thoughts.

In my earliest recollections, I listen once again to  Joyce Kilmer’s poem “Trees” ~ All school children had to memorize this poem and recite it  before the class.  I probably complained, but that poem remains, planted deeply in my own mind.

“tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair…”

Oh, Yes, I can recognize the beginning of my life-long appreciation of nature.  (Read “Trees” as published in Poetry Magazine, august 1913  at this link:

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poem/1947A

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Authors and books stay with us forever. In the final quarter of my life, they are still here, alive and thrilling. My memories abound with the people, places, and life lessons I discovered from all those writers and poets.

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After quite a bit of contemplative musing over this question, I suddenly  knew for sure exactly which writer and works were the  center of my creative life.

My source is an ancient one – the Psalms of the Bible.  I would have heard them read in church from the time before I could speak. The various Psalms have been at the core of my life.

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We turn to literature at the most challenging days in our life.  The Psalms are always a comfort as well as a source of inspiration, happiness, singing and instruction for living life.

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,”Drawing and Writing from the Psalms”

is an  introduction to the imagery and lyrical majesty found in the Psalms. I created this workshop, a course in learning how to get inspiration for your writing by using the Psalms.

 In our workshop, students  read a Psalm, meditated on the text, then wrote responses to where this text led them in their own writing projects.  We also used the imagery of the Psalms to create drawings and paintings.

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Photo: Lynda McKinney Lambert is visually  impaired.writes using adaptive equipment for the blind.  Here you can see her using Zoomtext, which enlarges her print, and reads the text to her as she works.

 

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1._ Begin by reading one Psalm (or passage  of your choice).

2._ Jot down notes on that Psalm as you read it.

3._ Continue to think about the images and language of this Psalm after you read it.

4._ You may need to read it several times to get the feel of it.

5._ Use your notes to create your own Psalm.

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Note:  Reading the Psalms led me to write my book, “Concerti: Psalms for the Pilgrimage,”  published by Kota Press.  My book features work I created over a a decade  as I traveled through Europe every summer while teaching a course for college students.  My work reflects the music of life, as we walk day by day on our life’s journey.

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My EXAMPLE: Below  is one of my “Meditations.”

 The link below will take you to a recording of the  original source if you want to compare my meditation with the original that inspired me one day in 1999.

You can listen to this Psalm:

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I am standing here,  Lord

my heart full of praises for you

I am sometimes aware

that the angels of heaven

surround me as I sing

In my imagination

I  stand against a gentle breeze

still on the mountain top

looking at your Holy Temple

The sun warms my face

How could I refrain

from singing today

as  I think about your faithfulness

and the promises you keep

Your trust is guaranteed

You know there’s been days

when I’ve been weak

my condition has been shameful

Yet, you respond to me

with encouragement and new dreams

Wouldn’t every person in this world

like to hear your voice today

Surely they would give you thanks

because you know them personally

They will see that you are great

Through the greatest dangers

we have come hand in hand

You cleared the way before us

and quietly rescued me

Is it  because you have plans for me

The vitality of life passes before

the presence of  your glance

Let this day develop as you say

and for only one reason

I am your creation

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Lynda McKinney Lambert. Copyright 1999 and 2015.  All Rights Reserved.

You may enjoy doing additional research on the value of the scribe in ancient literature.