Poems About Presence: Exploring the Power and Beauty of Being

The Significance of Presence in Poetry

Presence is a powerful theme that resonates deeply in the world of poetry. It is the art of being fully engaged in the moment, embracing the beauty and complexity of life. When a poet captures the essence of presence in their work, they invite readers to connect with their own emotions, experiences, and surroundings. Through vivid imagery, poignant language, and evocative metaphors, poets bring to life the magic of being present in the here and now.

Poems about presence often explore themes of mindfulness, awareness, and the transformative power of simply being. These poems remind us to slow down, appreciate the small moments, and find joy in the everyday. They encourage us to let go of the past, release our worries about the future, and immerse ourselves fully in the present moment. In a world filled with distractions and noise, poems about presence serve as a gentle reminder to pause, breathe, and savor the richness of life.

Examples of Poems About Presence

"The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean—
the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

"Shake the Dust" by Anis Mojgani

This is for the fat girls.
This is for the little brothers.
This is for the schoolyard wimps
And the childhood bullies that tormented them.
For the former prom queen
And for the milk crate ball players.
For the nighttime cereal eaters
And for the retired elderly
Waltzing the nine to five in the grave.
This is for the bigots,
This is for the sexists,
This is for the killers.
This is for the big house.
This is for the people not having the best of days
And for the people having the best of days.
This is for the people who will break your heart.

"The Guest House" by Rumi

This being