Often, people look for ways to avoid distractions, especially during important work. And, really, what could be more important than your writing? The process of transforming your wildest ideas, your most daring stories, your most beautiful daydreams — well, that's worthy of all your focused energy and then some. Though most of us know the above, that doesn't make it any easier to combat the kagillion-horned monster known as Writers Block. Fortunately, spending a few short minutes with a good poem can get you back at that keyboard — and more synched in with your writing than ever.

You can use poetry in your writing process in a number of different ways. If you're stuck at the beginning — i.e., Blank Page Syndrome — you might borrow (okay, steal) a line or a phrase or even a word from a poem. Type it into your document and figure out what comes next. You might also read a poem aloud and let the rhythm of those words inspire your own novel/story/screenplay's flow. The crucial thing to remember is that poems can be inspiring. Seriously, no matter what they're about, poems succinctly express images, emotions, ideas, messy psychological truths, and more. Let them teach you what you need to be taught. These seven are good candidates.