We here at the Well Tempered Conservatory occasionally like to patronize those who ply the other fine arts and this morning found ourselves in the Menlo Park Council Chambers. While usually the setting for ill-tempered debate regarding New Home Construction and Commercial Encroachments and the occasional barking dog, this morning it was the venue for three local poets reading from their work and discussing their sources of inspiration.
One poet, who happened to be the Poet Laureate of San Mateo County, read from her recently published book of poems infused with the natural world. She told us that in college she was a biology major and the teacher who influenced her the most in her poetry was a naturalist who enthused about his subject and always seemed to be in awe of it.
She also said that she tells her writing students that inspiration requires spending at least 15 minutes a day writing. Even if that little, it will accrue over time, "and you will be amazed how far you've come."
This is exactly what I tell my piano students and their parents. Just 15 minutes a day is all I ask. 15 minutes, posterior to piano bench.
We all should be in awe.
One poet, who happened to be the Poet Laureate of San Mateo County, read from her recently published book of poems infused with the natural world. She told us that in college she was a biology major and the teacher who influenced her the most in her poetry was a naturalist who enthused about his subject and always seemed to be in awe of it.
She also said that she tells her writing students that inspiration requires spending at least 15 minutes a day writing. Even if that little, it will accrue over time, "and you will be amazed how far you've come."
This is exactly what I tell my piano students and their parents. Just 15 minutes a day is all I ask. 15 minutes, posterior to piano bench.
We all should be in awe.
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