Playing with 10 Syllables for Joy!

Lately I have been playing with a poetry form that I learned during a workshop by Rachel Bagby during the 2023 Joy Summit. She originated this form of poetry, meant to be spoken aloud to others, that consists of 2 syllables in the top line, 3 in the middle line, and 5 in the last line, for a total of 10 syllables. For example, here is the first one I created right after Bagby’s workshop:

Right here
This moment
Opening to joy!

I have spoken these 10 syllables to myself repeatedly since then to remind myself to open to the joy available to me in any given moment.

Recently, I found myself spontaneously making a 10-syllable joy poem while hiking along the Ice Age Trail and feeling grateful for the late afternoon sunlight. I decided to capture it and share it on my Instagram and Facebook accounts as a reel. Then I wanted to make more and share those! You can also see the first video here -

Today,
I’m thankful
For the sunlit path.

I've been having fun learning from the process. I’m also sharing my experience with hopes to inspire others to pause and take a moment to kindle joy in their hearts.

Then today, after I posted the latest one, I realized that I had mistakenly reworded it when making the video. I used 11 syllables instead of 10! As someone who takes my responsibilities seriously and values accuracy, I paused when I realized the error.

I stood there on the nature path during my lunch break and, for a fleeting instant, I thought about taking it down and redoing it to be “correct.” Then I thought about how the moment I captured felt correct just as it was. I considered whether I would be embarrassed if someone noticed the mistake and pointed it out, and I realized, no. I would not feel embarrassed. Because, you know what? The video is a moment, and it is good enough as it is.

Today, I am thankful to report that I chuckled to myself when I thought about someone confronting me with my imperfection. Then, I kept walking up the path. Now, that is joy!

May you, too, find moments of joy in your day. And may you be filled with comfort, courage, and connection no matter where you find yourself on the path of life, my friends.

Be well.

With care,

Kaia

Today,
I’m thankful
For this inspiring tree.