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What Inspires You

Dear Poet, What Inspires You? the mind of the poet dreams beyond the now and into the ethereal the heart of the poet burns for romance and weeps when crushed the eyes of the poet search for beauty in the mundane and ordinary the tongue of the poet drips with honey-drenched words of healing the ears of the poet rejoice in lyrics of praise, joy and reverence the spirit of the poet longs for mankind's liberation from evil and hate the soul of the poet ponders eternal mysteries as yet unknown So again I ask dear poet, what inspires you to put pen to paper?

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Crystol Woods

Date: 5/22/2025 12:38:00 PM

Just visiting some favorites on your page... this one strikes me in a different way than my first reading. I love that about poetry... it's message is applicable in so many ways. Keep writing Tom, and I'll keep reading! ;) xo

Tom Woody
Date: 5/22/2025 12:39:00 PM

I don't get inspired daily like some. Hopefully something soon. Thx much poetry pal

Michelle Smith

Date: 12/21/2024 11:52:00 AM

Thank you :)

Michelle Smith

Date: 12/21/2024 1:58:00 AM

When I "can't find the words to say" but can't stop myself from trying / When it makes me think, smile, or pray or makes me feel like crying / When so much beauty has me overwhelmed I must encapsulate that in verse / Flowing naturally from my heart to convey rhymes which my lips rehearse. (That Poemy Feeling. Copyright © Michelle Smith | Year Posted 2023)

Tom Woody
Date: 12/21/2024 5:50:00 AM

Nice poem Michelle

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/20/2024 3:55:00 PM

I am glad I bypassed star trek and found this one I had not seen before. It's really nice and I love the form

Tom Woody
Date: 8/20/2024 4:54:00 PM

Not a Star Trek fan?

Valsa George

Date: 8/16/2024 9:17:00 AM

Excitement, heartache, love, joy, beauty.... all these can inspire a poet. I feel inspired by your beautiful poem, dear Tom. To be frank, I am passing through hectic times. So I was looking for a short poem. This has delighted me as it is both beautiful and short.

Tom Woody
Date: 8/16/2024 10:48:00 AM

Not up for my Star Trek saga? I understand lol. Thx Valsa

Crystol Woods

Date: 5/22/2024 8:07:00 AM

Yess, great question and better answers. I'm working on a similar piece that asks, "what is poetry?" Personally I'm inspired to write by everything! I believe those who write, also feel deeply, have an over flow of empathy and need to write to stay balanced. I'm also a seeker of approval... unfortunately. That I do know about myself lol. I crave validation from others. Working on it tho! ;)

Tom Woody
Date: 5/22/2024 9:31:00 AM

Your triumph over addiction and loss make you someone to be cherished and nurtured. Keep up the good work and thx for visit

Ink Empress

Date: 1/26/2024 1:19:00 PM

Ah someones on homepage! Tomsz! One of my faves from you this is’ good to see this on home page

Tom Woody
Date: 1/26/2024 5:35:00 PM

Thx. It's never been a particular fave of mine but I'm glad you like it

Brian Sambourne

Date: 9/15/2023 1:32:00 PM

I think my Muse spends a good deal of time on urban streets as children at play give me images as a starting point for poetry, A truly thought provoking posting. Congratulations! Brian

Tom Woody
Date: 9/15/2023 1:34:00 PM

I love watching children at play. I tend more toward the homeless and downtrodden though for inspiration

Robert Warlov

Date: 9/11/2023 1:55:00 AM

See: "Furthermore Gravity" ~ ~ https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/furthermore_gravity_927155 ] )

Robert Warlov
Date: 9/12/2023 3:57:00 AM

Tom Woody
Date: 9/11/2023 5:37:00 AM

Thx for visit

Robert Lindley

Date: 9/7/2023 5:05:00 AM

My friend, this is a very fine poem. One that asks very important questions of we poets. As we write for the public to read we need to keep that in mind. A great poem, a fav too. God bless.

Tom Woody
Date: 9/7/2023 5:09:00 AM

Thx so much Robert

Maria Fernandez-Garcia

Date: 9/1/2023 3:32:00 AM

I think all of them inspire us, just depends on the moment we are living, experiences, etc. Also depends on the whispered words to our ears. Sometimes is something we see, sometimes something we hear and others, we just follow a feeling. Anyway, this is a great piece of work. Well done!

Tom Woody
Date: 9/1/2023 4:59:00 AM

Muchos gracias

Ink Empress

Date: 8/28/2023 1:48:00 PM

Wow this is so good kingy! I love it! Every line resonates and hits deeply. This poem has inspired me too. And i think personally for me what inspires me to write is my emotions , and it can sometimes get frustrating, as i struggle to write when im numb or feel nothing. Cus i write from my heart n not my mind, if that makes sense. I would love to share this on my story on instagram. Credits given to u as this is absolutely profound!

Tom Woody
Date: 8/28/2023 1:54:00 PM

I would be honored. You're always gracious. I don't deserve it

Shirley Rebstock

Date: 8/22/2023 6:17:00 AM

You expressed this so well. Yes, just nature and it's uniqueness and beauty is inspiring

Tom Woody
Date: 8/22/2023 6:52:00 AM

Nature has inspired many a poet, for sure

Sara Kendrick

Date: 8/19/2023 12:47:00 PM

Good question. Out on the porch in the early morn. Thanks for sharing this nice one with us and for dropping by my page. Sara

Tom Woody
Date: 8/19/2023 2:12:00 PM

Thx Sara

Bill Baker

Date: 8/12/2023 3:01:00 PM

Engaging List poem, Tom. Your list is inspiring and all on it inspire me to write. I thing saying something in a poetic way that may help someone see alternative ways to view life and this glorious creation we exist in is something that motivates me to use a gift I been given ... a knack to see things in a different light than others and likewise, a gift of speaking in rhymes without much effort. The Poetry Soup platform has been a God-sent for me as I near 80 and beyond. Bill

Tom Woody
Date: 8/12/2023 4:24:00 PM

I'm glad for you Bill. I've had my ups and downs here over the years. Right now it's up. Have a great weekend

Susan Ashley

Date: 8/10/2023 5:30:00 PM

Dear Tom, your thought-provoking poem is elegantly and beautifully expressed. Indeed, illuminated intellects, imaginations and creative spirits with a fervent need for expression find inspiring "beauty in the mundane and ordinary" as well as the extraordinary. A charming piece! Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Suze

Tom Woody
Date: 8/10/2023 6:32:00 PM

Thx Suze. It goes without saying that your marvellous pen inspires many here at the Soup

Jim Slaughter

Date: 8/10/2023 11:04:00 AM

Yes, Tom, I think pretty much all of these inspire me at one time or another. A lovely piece, indeed.

Tom Woody
Date: 8/10/2023 11:11:00 AM

Thx Jim. Keep up your interesting writes

Indigo Sky

Date: 8/1/2023 9:45:00 AM

Very beautiful and thoughtful....loved the descriptions of a poet here.

Tom Woody
Date: 8/1/2023 11:25:00 AM

Thanks. Great screen name

Eileen Manassian

Date: 7/29/2023 10:27:00 PM

Loved your description of a poet. Searching for beauty in the mundane does set us apart, doesn't it? Writing is therapeutic for me. Confessional in a sense. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I enjoyed this read.

Tom Woody
Date: 7/30/2023 4:34:00 AM

Hello Eileen. Looking forward to up building correspondence

Michelle Smith

Date: 7/29/2023 9:25:00 PM

Feelings fill the page/ but can confound the sage/ by the poem's mouthful. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ True, Good, Beautiful/ transcending to the thoughtful/ I find these engage.

Tom Woody
Date: 7/30/2023 4:34:00 AM

Beautiful thoughts Michelle

Maria Williams

Date: 7/29/2023 1:22:00 AM

There are so many things that inspire one to write. The beauty of nature, the sound of rain, the tinkling laugh of a child, music, a movie that strikes an emotion, a theme, a concept.Its a plethora of ideas out there. The beauty of poetry is within us all.

Tom Woody
Date: 7/29/2023 5:48:00 AM

Yes all that and much more. Good to see you lil buddy

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 7/28/2023 3:59:00 PM

Tom, what inspires me to reach for my pen is sometimes just a few words I have heard or read. It can be something as lovely as a tree, all trees are beautiful to me. Also it’s memories of the past, some hidden, some good, some sad or bad. I write because I love poetry as it’s as lovely as music is to me… Belle

Tom Woody
Date: 7/28/2023 4:19:00 PM

Those are some great reasons Belle

Vijay Pandit

Date: 7/27/2023 1:36:00 PM

Your poems always have a touch of intellect, TW. I like it all -- especially the part about beauty in the mundane and ordinary.

Tom Woody
Date: 7/27/2023 1:40:00 PM

Yes, there is beauty even in the sunlight filtering thru the slats of my blind even as I write. So easy to take for granted.

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 7/27/2023 12:20:00 PM

Lovely thoughtful pen Tom, Jesus is my inspiration and his creation as well as the wonder of words. Blessings,Gordon

Tom Woody
Date: 7/27/2023 12:41:00 PM

Many are inspired by religious themes. I've written a number myself

Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 7/27/2023 3:43:00 AM

according to this i'm a poet of the spirit and soul..that aside, i write best when i have a male muse

Charlotte Puddifoot
Date: 7/27/2023 2:30:00 PM

several muses including my ex husband (also a poet) but my main one is no longer on the site

Tom Woody
Date: 7/27/2023 5:23:00 AM

A male muse? I wouldn't have guessed. I'll have to dig a little deeper into your poetry