Planet 2050 Reflection

As part of Planet Texas, I attended “Poetry Readings” at the Turrell Skyspace. Sasha West along with several professors, students, and independent writers read their poetry, which was all environmentally themed. Their poetry was moving and inspiring, and I snapped a photo of one of my favorites, “A Mapmaker Looks at the Stars.” As it was read, I could feel myself relax, take a deep breath, and imagine myself under the stars, staring at the expansive universe overhead. I stopped worrying for a moment about my school stress and was present to the moment. The word “silence” was the most impactful, and I felt a much-needed rest in my soul.

These environmental poems relate well to the Haikus we are writing for our immersive experience. The integration of poetry invites an audience to escape the normal mental ruts we get stuck in. A good poem or haiku helps people to forge a new way of thinking, which leads to a new way of living. Poetry is well suited for an immersive experience because it invites reflection, mystery, and expansion beyond the ordinary world. Poetry opens our minds to novel possibilities and promotes being present to oneself and one another. Although we do not have all the details yet for how we will integrate Haikus into our experience, I know their use will be vital to expanding our guests’ hearts and minds.