The words are waiting for you…
A little mystery, a little music, and the writing tips you didn’t know you needed.
This week, I’m sharing pieces of inspiration scattered across different corners—quotes that linger, songs that hum in the background of quiet moments, and artists whose work leaves an imprint. But most importantly, I’m offering a few writing tips, not because I have all the answers, but because sometimes the right words can lead you somewhere unexpected. Keep reading, and let’s see where they take you.
Quote of the Week:
”Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood." — T.S. Eliot
T.S. Eliot knew that poetry doesn’t need to be fully understood to be felt. Sometimes, the power of a poem lies in its ability to stir something deep inside before the meaning even settles. It’s the kind of magic that speaks directly to your soul, long before your mind catches up. Genuine poetry doesn’t ask for understanding—it demands to be experienced.
Currently Listening:
“Nowhere to Run” by Kings of Leon
This song is a wild, dizzying ride—a song that captures the chaos of life, the feeling of being caught between escape and confrontation. The lyrics are raw, painting a picture of uncertainty, of people running from something they can’t escape, only to realize there’s nowhere to hide. It’s about vulnerability, the mess of life, and the realization that sometimes we’re all just trying to figure out if we’re in or if we’re out. A song that feels like a breathless chase, but with no clear finish line.
Don't forget to follow the Atticus Official Playlist on Spotify if you want to listen to my favorites along with me each week.
Inspired By:
James Rosenquist’s work is a bold reminder of how art can transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. His ability to blend fragmented images and layers of meaning is a reflection of the complexity of life itself—chaotic, colorful, and full of contradiction. His art doesn’t just sit in front of you; it makes you feel, think, and question what you’re looking at. Rosenquist’s work is a powerful testament to how creativity can reshape our understanding of the world, making the familiar strange and the strange familiar.
Writing Tips:
Writing poetry isn’t about following rules; it’s about unearthing the parts of yourself that don’t always make sense. The best poems come from the places where language falters, where emotions tangle, and where thoughts slip between the cracks. Here are a few tips that might just push you to go deeper, to write with more honesty and abandon.
Embrace the pause. The spaces between words are just as powerful as the words themselves. Don’t rush to fill every silence; sometimes, the most impactful lines are the ones left unsaid, allowing your reader’s imagination to fill the gaps.
Let your contradictions speak louder than your consistency. Poetry isn’t about perfection or logic. The beauty often lies in the contradictions. Embrace the tension between opposing ideas—light and dark, joy and sorrow—let them co-exist and create something unexpected.
Write through the discomfort. If you find yourself hesitating or uncomfortable with a line, don’t back away from it. Those moments of resistance are where the truest emotions often live. Trust the discomfort—it’s telling you there’s something worth exploring.
Capture the fleeting, not the grand. Don’t chase the perfect image; chase the small moments—the passing glance, the forgotten detail, the feeling just before you fall asleep. It’s in the fleeting that we often find the truest reflections of ourselves.
At the end of the day, poetry is a conversation between you and the world around you. Don’t worry if the words aren’t perfect or if the meaning isn’t clear right away. Let the poem unfold as it wants to, trust where it leads you, and don’t be afraid to get a little lost along the way. Keep writing, keep feeling, and keep exploring.
If you want more in-depth insights and monthly writing and publishing tips to guide you along the way, be sure to check out the exclusive content available to our paid Substack subscribers. There’s always more to discover, and we’re here to help you take your writing to the next level.
Fan Feature:
Every week, I showcase incredible works submitted by you, the readers. Want your poetry featured next? Find me on Instagram and send over a few of your favorite pieces via DM—I can't wait to read what you're creating 🖤
This poem captures a truth that many of us avoid confronting: the deep, often paralyzing fear of love. We accept death as inevitable, but love? It’s unpredictable, it’s fragile, and it leaves us exposed. The poet’s question—will we ever love?—speaks to a vulnerability that we all share, the quiet hesitation to open ourselves fully to something that might break us. But perhaps, in the end, it’s not about avoiding heartbreak; it’s about allowing ourselves the courage to live with it, to love anyway.Check out @lifeonpeaks on Instagram!
Top Post This Week:
Cheer up, beautiful. Here's a poetry dump for you 🖤
Happy Anniversary LVOE Volume II 🖤
It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since the launch of LVOE. Volume II. In that time, the journey inward that this collection invites readers to take has resonated deeply with so many of you. This anniversary marks not just the passing of time, but the powerful connection we’ve shared in exploring themes of love, loss, self-discovery, and acceptance. I’m incredibly grateful for the way these words have touched your hearts and sparked meaningful reflection.
LVOE. Volume II was always meant to go deeper, to look not only at the world around us but at the space within us. It’s been a joy to see how this collection has inspired so many to find comfort in their vulnerability and strength in their search for peace. As we celebrate this milestone, I’m reminded of the power of poetry to connect us all—and to illuminate the quiet, sometimes confusing, but always beautiful experience of being human. Thank you for sharing this journey with me.
As we close out this week’s edition of Sneak Peek Friday, I want to leave you with this: inspiration is everywhere, often hiding in the most unexpected places. Whether it's in the quiet hum of your thoughts, the chaos of the world around you, or the stillness of the night, it’s all a part of the journey. Keep searching, keep listening, and keep creating. Until next week 🖤
xx
Atticus