Old year pyre
A fresh start of the year in issue #175 of your weekly poetry shot
On these flames
we burn the things that brought
no improvement to our lives, so we
can start the new year with
a clean slate.
Happy 2024, dear readers! May it bring you all you wish for, and of course lots of poetry.
The new year is as good a moment as any to start doing things differently if you wish to change anything in your life. And before you do, it’s good to burn away the bad things of last year, and maybe use some fireworks to chase the bad spirits away so they won’t bother you in the year that has just started.
I’m not a true believer in all that, but I don’t mind it either. So, I take this moment to make a few minor changes to this newsletter. There’s no burning of old stuff, well, only just one word. More about that in a bit. What won’t change is your Friday poetry shot. This will stay. In its current form. I like it, and through it, many of you found this newsletter. I am very happy with that. That’s one of the great things about last year. No, I will add some things. First of all, I will breathe new life into the Cryptopoet’s Guide to the Metaverse. This is where there will be some burning. The name will change. And if you have looked very closely at the homepage of this newsletter, you will have seen the name has already changed. But only a tiny bit. It’s now called The Onchain Poet’s Guide to the Metaverse. Check out the numero zero, or pilot post next Tuesday, and fall into the rhythm of every third Tuesday of the month from the week after that. The posts, which I like to call travelogue entries, will be open to everybody, but there will be an AMA or Office Hours open after it for paid subscribers only. The first two will be on the house, so you can test drive it.
Another addition will find its way to you this Sunday: the weekly creativity prompt. Through these weekly prompts, you will get your creative energy flowing, and no matter what you do in life, creativity will help you do it in the best way imaginable. In January, this service will be for everybody, from February it will be only for paid subscribers.
Yes, I am taking this inbox poetry magazine seriously, and I hope you will enjoy it better this year.
What are your plans for 2024?
Poetics in life
It’s easy to blame The Other and The Government for all the failings you see around you and in your life. But guess what, it’s also easy to ignite the change you want to see. Together. With the people around you. All you need is a little nudge. Where would you start with change?
Poetry elsewhere
Change is inevitable. And sometimes, especially at the beginning, it can be hard. Looking at it from a different angle might help in embracing the change. This poem by
does precisely that, even if it may be not fully intended. Please enjoy reading In the woods:
New life keeps you young. Keep moving in this new year, keep playing, keep dancing, keep staring at the sky, and let this lovely poem Glee by
be your guide:
Have you enjoyed the end-of-year celebrations? I think we should introduce new rituals into them. Rituals that help us to fully embrace the intention of the traditions, but not rooted in a sometimes imaginary past, but in the reality of today. Of course, the amazing(ly) hot poets at
know how to put that more eloquently in this one. And if you read it with the attention it deserves, you might see why I wanted to share that video of Candy Chang. We are the change we want to see.
Your community-building efforts are so appreciated, Arjan. We need increased connection and appreciation so very much. Thank you.
Great to see this newsletter evolving and growing. Thanks for all the work you put into it!