Savor the last days of the season with me in real time, or feel the warmth of those long lazy days anytime with verses suitable to summer.
Blythe Reads a Few Faves
Sweet Summer Poems
I read some of these favorites in the video above, some in other media, some can be found in books and also read online for free:
- “Bee! I’m expecting you!” by Emily Dickinson
- “The Owl & the Pussycat” by Edward Lear
- “To a Skylark” by Percy Bysshe Shelley, synchronistically was my Summer Solstice & Birthday Poem, starts off “blithe spirit…”
- “When the Roses Speak, I Pay Attention” by Mary Oliver
- “While I am Writing a Poem to Celebrate Summer, the Meadowlark Begins to Sing” by Mary Oliver
- “The Sun” by Mary Oliver (not in the video)
- “Summer Warmth” by Helen Cohen (not in the video)
- “Liberty” by Janet S. Wong
- “Ripeness” by Jane Hirschfield (not in the video, but Moon Medicine Yoga shared a lovely reading in their Litha /Summer Solstice practice video on YouTube)
There are so many more, this is clearly just a start!
Questions for Reflection
- Which poems feel like summer to you?
- How does the written word inspire you?
- What media & materials do use to evoke & embrace the season?
- What’s on your bucket list or mood board?
- What are you moved to write or create?
- How may I support your creativity?
Resources for Further Exploration
- Be Buoyant like a Butterfly – Flights of Fancy – Airy Inspiration Roundup Light as a feather, fluttering in springtime and summer, having had encounters with butterflies in just about every place I have been, I always feel blessed by their gentle presence. Butterfly, Schmetterling, Farfalle, Papillon…I love their many names, their movements, the science and the mystery behind their lifecycles. Beloveds come to mind as a butterfly flits by, and art, literature, poetry, music, and movement all help me embody the qualities of the butterflies I marvel at, in this article I share these as well as many more flights of fancy and airy inspirations to delight.
- Spring Flings & Bright Things: a Bucket List of Fresh, Joyful Seasonal Experiences Being a (late) spring baby myself, I’ve always been especially drawn to the season, the themes of new life, rebirth, emergence, vitality, fertility, the increasing warmth and light, and joy! From the first early blossoms and rays of Sun leading up to the Spring Equinox, to the long, bright days of the Summer Solstice, I do my best to make the most of this richly potent season of growth and development.
- Summer Fun in or out of the Sun: a Bucket List of Hot-Weather Hits Warmer weather lends itself to many activities I enjoy, such as time outdoors, bicycling, picnicking, and eating fresh produce. I try to seize the sunny fleeting days wherever I can and not miss out on my favorite bits before they’re gone again. Less decoration and dressing up, more dressing down, decluttering, deep-cleaning, taking in the natural beauty. Here is a collection of resources and activities that might provide a jumping-off point for your own longer-day adventures.
- Seaside, Oceanic & Watery Inspirations – Dance, Yoga, Music, Poetry & Creativity Though watery ocean, lake, river, and rain concepts can ignite the imagination yearlong, I find them particularly fun in the warmer months, for children’s and all-ages dance, yoga, meditation and visualization, poetic and artistic inspiration. This is a (growing, dynamic, never comprehensive) collection of resources I personally treasure and love to share as a teaching artist but may also be useful to families with children, other creatives, or to delight your own inner artist child.
- Jolly Roger July & a Piratical Summer – being freedom, treasure & adventure in treacherous times I may not want a life on the open sea myself, but I was raised on sailing and pirate stories and appreciate the ethos of freedom, treasure, and adventure. What better time to embark on a fantastical journey of imagination than summer?
- Creative Ballet Port de Bras – Arm Artistry Exploring Nature has many more mindful movement explorations
The best way to keep up-to-date on everything I’m coaching, teaching, creating and sharing about as well as my favorite work from other creators is to subscribe to my weekly email newsletter. Would love to be connected to you there, on social media, online or in-person.
Thanks for reading and moving together in spirit or in fact. Take care of yourself, pay attention, and hope to see you again.
Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst
they/them or she/her
Creator of A Blythe Coach @ablythecoach
helping multi-passionate creatives dance through their difficulties,
taking leaps of faith into fulfillment through coaching, yoga & dance education