Water
The bay breathes
peering through still green
around edges of coves
shimmering like a gown
sequins of light rippling in the wind
touching, rocking, gently making love to the shore.
The angles of liquid light
melt on rock.
About Oren Jay Sofer’s Poetry
Both reading and writing poetry are a powerful vehicles for contemplation, self-expression, connection, and spiritual practice. Oren has been writing poetry since he was a child. He formally studied poetry at Columbia University with Kenneth Koch, and was inspired by the beat poets of 60s and 70s as well as classical Chinese and Japanese poets. His favorite poets include Gary Snyder, Pablo Neruda, Mary Oliver, Han Shan, Stonehouse, and Ryokan among others. If you would like to publish or reprint one of Oren’s poems, please contact us.
If you are interested in reading poetry as a spiritual practice, here are a few tips:
Choose a poem(s) that you would like to read aloud.
Find a relatively quiet place if possible.
Early morning, and dusk are ideal times, though any time will do!
Take a few moments to sit quietly and breath, calming your mind and centering yourself.
Read the poem aloud, taking your time with each word, pausing for the line breaks.
Poetry is also a kind of music: listen to the words and the silences.
Allow yourself to linger.
Read it again if you like, or take turns reading poems with a friend.