Lynda’s Journal of Blessings – #776 – Keys
Welcome!
On this journey of sharing BLESSINGS
I am accompanied by some friends. You can visit them, too.
Lynda’s Journal of Blessings – #776
>> Keys <<
©©Walking by Inner Vision, since December 2009.
_My Thoughts
“Keys”
Lets use some KEYS to unlock the world of poetry today. Perhaps you are afraid of reading a book of poetry, or worse yet, talking about it. I understand this very well.
Yes, I know, you would not admit it, but from my perspective after decades of reading poetry, and teaching poetry courses at a private college, poetry is a literary activity that is often frightening to students.
Who is afraid of a little poem?
To be truthful, many people are.
This is because poetry is not like any other literary pursuit. It takes a very different set of skills to begin to read and enjoy poetry. It is a different world, and to begin to read and appreciate poetry will require that we learn to enter into that world with a fresh view, a willingness to change, and a few “keys” that I can share with you today.
I’ve been thinking about some KEYS that are important if you are going to read or write about poetry.
For example, I will use my book of poetry:
Star Signs: New and Selected Poems,
Some KEYS that will help to create a book review that is memorable, clear, and enjoyable:
Check it out Here.
KEY_
Keep your focus on just ONE POEM.
Don’t try to read the book of poetry as you would read any other writing. Poetry is different. Plan on reading this book over a period of time. Just a poem or two a day.
Key_
Read the book at least twice, and read it SLOW. Poetry takes time to settle into your mind and imagination. Poetry requires that you think about what you are reading, and just a little at a time.
__
EXAMPLE: How one reader spoke about POETRY.
The following review is posted on Amazon. This reader posted her review after reading my book, Star Signs: New and Selected Poems
Below:
I provide a book review that illustrates how a reader collected important information as she was reading my book. Notice how she kept her focus on the actual texts and poems, and wrote a cohesive report on her experiences as she was reading. Look at her first line as she begins the review.
Review by Robbie Cheadle
Rich and theatrical poems
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2020
_Scripture
I recommend reading the Psalms in the Bible, as a great source of poetry.
Here is a book you may like to get that will teach you how to read the Psalms, See it here!
_Daily Action Plan
BONUS: I found this article on how to begin reading a poem and I thought you might really like it, too.
This article gives very clear steps as to how to begin reading poems because this is far different than reading a novel or any other type of book. How to read poetry – Here.
More KEYS for reading poetry:
1_Choose a book you want to read and purchase it through Amazon, or another retail bookseller.
2_Look at the entire book before you begin reading it. Look at the cover. Flip through the book and get a general idea of how it the book is presented inside the covers.
Notice the publisher, date of publication, dedication, table of Contents, and Acknowledgments. Look for a Prologue and an Epilogue.
Each of these areas in the book will give you valuable information and lead you gently into the poems. You begin to read a poem, but don’t be in a hurry. Read just one or two poems. And, Stop.
What else? That is up to you, as you are exploring how the book has been created.
Caution: If you do not like the book, why would you waste your time to write a book review? Move on to a book you really enjoyed and help promote that book. Grace is always the best choice, whatever you decide to do.
©Lynda’s Journal of Blessings, 2026._
__
” Lynda’s Prayer Garden”
Photo by Bob Lambert
FYI
Final Note:
What inspired me to begin writing blog posts about BLESSINGS?
Your comments and prayers inspire the best in me.
Let me know if this message is helpful to you.
Thank you for sharing my Sunday Blessings posts with others to encourage them and share the Love of Jesus.
©Lynda’s Journal of Blessings, 2026.
FYI: My Background:
Professor Lynda McKinney Lambert taught fine art and humanities at a Christian college in Western Pennsylvania, She was a tenured professor, an actively exhibiting artist, and a published author.
I created exciting courses across the disciplines – Art –
English Literature – Humanities.
My courses were taught on campus during the spring and fall semesters. In the summer, I taught in Salzburg, Austria for a month of travel and studies.
My passions in academia are poetry and fine art. I author books and I create fine art in several mediums – Painting and Fiber Art.
How I Found HOPEFULNESS in Unexpected Changes:
I discovered a new life after sudden sight loss. For the next two years, I learned to see the world and my place in it in an entirely new way. I completed training for Personal Adjustment to Blindness, It took two years of training and lots of challenging work to learn to read and write using adaptive technologies for the blind. Ad the months went by, God was showing me that my creative life would continue,, but in some new ways.
I began to write Divinely inspired life lessons
New experiences and God-directed Opportunities
New DISCOVERIES to share with the world
A NEW SEASON on the Narrow Path with Jesus.
365 Days – My ONE WORD for 2026
__
Lynda’s Latest Books are now available on Amazon and all retail booksellers.
Interview with Lynda Listen Here!
Each Day Holds Some Small Joy – Collection of Haiku and Tanka nature poems.
You May Also Like:
Songs for the Pilgrimage…A Collection of Poems and short writings from journals and travels
Get Lynda’s latest books!
Songs for the Pilgrimage:
Purchase Lynda’s Books at Amazon
©Lynda McKinney Lambert, 2025. All rights reserved.
Photo: Courtesy of Allauthor. Thank you!
Books illustrated were created by DLD Books.
Lynda has 6 published books.
Memoir, Poetry, Non-fiction.
More About Lynda
©Lynda’s Journal of Blessings, 2026.
An Artist’s InSight: An Interview with Lynda McKinney Lambert