@bjhess Reading poetry to let go the internal monologue (incessant thinking) is a great idea.

I read poetry myself verbally for another purpose and now, I began to love poetry. Even I began to admire some poems, such as Rudyard Kippling's If, Palace, Pagett MP and The Roman Centurion's Song.

Note:
And yes, for improving my Vagus Nerve, I practice "breathing out longer than breathing in" for at least 30 minutes into 1 hour daily.

It makes me much more mindful in my daily life.