Rebrand, 3 Creative Writing Poems, and Personal Innovation

Outlaw Verse is now Creativity & Culture.

Welcome to Creativity & Culture!

When I launched this newsletter in January 2024, I did so because I wanted to steward what God has given me by adding value to people—including sharing poems for you to enjoy.

However, a lot has changed since January 2024. (I’ll share more on those changes as they’re relevant.)

But, I wanted to get back to sharing my poetry and adding more value to people, and part of that is rebranding this newsletter into Creativity & Culture.

Click here to read more about Creativity & Culture

3 Creative Writing Group Poems

One of my favorite things I get to do is co-lead a Creative Writing Group for college students.

While facilitating the group, I’ll also participate. These three poems were written during our group times, inspired by prompts or other exercises.

The first two poems are heavier, dealing with regret and not doing what you know you should do.

The third poem is lighter and reminiscent of times long past.

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Cain was Able

Pain was an old man
when he took the knife
to childhood memories and kin.
Bloodstain left in the sand,
dried from wind-blown strife—
the consequences of sin.
Banished in barren lands,
he toiled to give his wife
means from well-worn ends—
the produce of his hands.
Cain longed for his life,
to be able again.

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Curse the Ground

Comfort strikes the heel
as the soul crushes the head,
grounded in the heart.

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A Letter

Sealed—To whom it may
concern: no one writes letters
with dipped quills or wax
embracing a signet ring
pressed by flame melting the time
it takes to hand off.

Signed—Yours, if I may,
faithfully from our betters
who paid postage tax
for the warmth a kiss could bring,
captured in moments of rhyme
passing the days off.

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Personal Innovation

Poetry is the creativity “half” of Creativity & Culture, and Personal Innovation is the other half—if leadership sets culture, personal innovation is self-leadership.

I landed on Personal Innovation because leadership sets culture, and personal innovation is self leadership—all in context of creativity and how to “think like a poet.”

See How Your Creative Talents Work in Your Work

The first piece of Personal Innovation content is now live: The Vision Fit Framework.

I “accidentally” created this as an exercise to help me see how my work involved my talents and intrinsic motivations. To help me gain vision for my role.

Then, I tested it out on other roles—and it worked.

If you’re an artistic person who works in analytical or “non-creative” work, but want to see how you can use your creative strengths the make the most of the work you do, this might be for you.

Click below to read about it, and use the framework system for yourself.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:5-6 NIV