Ode Journaling: Turn Attention into Gratitude
Poet Brent Hagen explains how an ode transforms focused attention into lyrical gratitude—and invites you to try Stoic’s new guided Ode Journal.
Updated on
July 10, 2025
A Form Born to Sing
It is very fitting that ode has its roots in aeidein, a Greek word that means to sing or chant. The ode is a lyric poetic form that honors a person, animal, place, idea, or thing. If a poem is a song we sing to celebrate the world, the ode is one of its most reliable instruments.
Attention Becomes Devotion
As Mary Oliver writes in Upstream, “Attention is the beginning of devotion.” At its heart, an ode is all about paying close attention and highlighting the most unique, profound aspects of someone or something very important to you. It is an act of understanding their place, their importance. The ode, then, is the moment we turn our desire to express gratitude to whom and what we devote ourselves.
Anything Can Earn an Ode
Many people have written odes, and we all have more than a few in us. You can write an ode to anyone or anything—from a loved one to a favorite writer, from your pet to your favorite beach, from socks to your identity to a bicycle to tomatoes, even an ode to an ode!
A Song of Grateful Celebration
When we write an ode to a person, pet, place, or idea, we are writing a song of grateful celebration.
How about you? What song of gratitude do you want to sing, and to whom or what?
Write an Ode in Simple Reflective Steps
Writing an ode isn’t about perfection—it’s about appreciation. Follow these gentle steps to turn attention into a celebration.
Step 1: Ground Yourself
Notice where you are and what time it is. Take a moment to settle into the present.
Step 2: Choose Your Subject
Think of someone or something meaningful to you. It could be a person, a pet, a place, your favorite mug—or even an idea.
Step 3: Reflect on Your Relationship
What’s your connection? Go back to one of the earliest memories you have with them or it. Why do they matter?
Step 4: Explore Other Perspectives
How might others see your subject? Do you agree or disagree with them? What makes your perspective unique?
Step 5: Express Gratitude
Now let it out. What would you want to say to them or it? What makes you grateful?
Step 6: Imagine Their View of You
Flip the lens. How do you think they see you? Let this shape your final lines.
Step 7: Title & Signature
Give your ode a fitting title. Sign it with your real name, initials, or a poetic pen name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an ode have to follow a strict Pindaric or Horatian pattern?
No. Those classical blueprints are inspiring but optional. Modern odes often loosen the meter and stanza scheme while keeping the spirit of praise.
How long should my ode be?
Long enough to spotlight what matters—anything from three short stanzas to a page. Quality of attention beats word count.
Must an ode rhyme?
Rhyme can heighten the musical feel, but it’s not a rule. Many contemporary odes rely on vivid imagery and rhythm instead of end-rhymes.
Can I write an ode in free verse?
Absolutely. Free-verse odes are common; just be sure each line still carries focused, celebratory energy toward your subject.
How often should I practice ode journaling?
Try one focused ode per week. That cadence keeps the exercise special while giving you time to observe and gather details worth praising.
Updated on: Jul 10, 2025
Begin Ode Journal in Stoic
Download the Stoic app to unlock Brent’s step-by-step ode prompts—turn focused attention into a lyrical celebration right on your phone.
