Forgive me for not writing poetry this month, at least thus far. Though I didn't plan to, who knows?! I have quite a busy schedule this month and felt it perhaps too much of a challenge, i.e., time-wise. (I could be wrong!)
I had heard of the two following therapies a number of years ago and was fascinated by the concept: "Biblio/poetry therapy, one of the creative arts therapies, is the use of the written word (although it may be read out loud) to bring healing and personal growth." (Source: http://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/practice/Poetry_Therapy%3A_Using_Words_to_Heal/)
Reading poetry whether silently or out loud - perhaps even having poetry read to you - has many benefits. It stimulates critical thinking, creativity and imagination; increases verbal intelligence, verbal skills, and memory; as well as empathy and insight; and it further develops a greater sensitivity to language. Read here for details: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/benefits-reading-poems-11971.html
Here is my favourite inspired poem that I wrote a number of years ago, simply entitled You! (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2012/11/tribute-to-you.html). Or you may prefer the following post which features this poem as its opposite - there is a name for that type of name though not sure... - http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/a-new-angle-on-you-or-is-that-me.html
There are also, of course, benefits to writing poetry. From author Richard Jaffe, here are a few benefits he recognizes: improves cognitive function, helps to heal emotional pain, leads to greater self-awareness, inspires or educates others, and is a form of celebration: http://blog.artsusa.org/2013/04/04/5-ways-you-benefit-from-writing-poetry-from-the-partnership-movement/.
And here are some other - and creative ways of looking at - benefits of writing poetry from poet and blogger, Kelly Belmonte, entitled "12 Most Radical Reasons to Write Poetry" (http://12most.com/2012/09/14/radical-reasons-to-write-poetry/)
Can you feel your heart opening up and expanding when reading poetry or being read poetry and/or writing poetry?
I never know poetry is a form of therapy! Coming to think of it, if it can please hearts and make people smile, it better be a therapy :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I found it surprising too when I first heard that! ;) I like your reasoning for it! :) <3
DeletePoetry really is more than just words put together to rhyme. It runs deeper than that. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
That's true Lux, especially as not all poems rhyme! ;) <3
DeleteThis month I'm totally enjoying rediscovering the joy of writing poetry, and have no doubt that it's a form of therapy!
ReplyDeleteYes, I"m glad to see you writing poetry Laurel and it certainly can be therapeutic! :) I opted not too as I thought it might take more time than prose. ;) <3
DeleteA beautiful post in defence of writing poetry..Poems well written touch the very cord of the heart.
ReplyDeleteThanks Usha. :) Poems can certainly have that effect and I hope my inspired poem does just that to all those who read it! ;) <3
DeleteThis was an informative post Elly. I never knew that poetry reading and writing could itself be a therapy. No wonder i feel much much better than writing stories when i write poems.
ReplyDeleteCool! Great to hear Ajay! :) I believe that writing in itself is therapeutic; however, some more than others including poetry. ;) <3
DeleteI love reading poetry. I must have read my favourite ones a thousand times. It gives me a strange sense of feeling. Something that makes me happy and wonder at the beauty of those words. Ahh I can't explain how I feel when I read a good poetry :) It's indeed a therapy :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoy reading poetry Raj and I'm sure the poet would love to hear and know that it touches you and moves you deeply. :) That's probably the intention, and thus the therapy! ;) <3
DeleteI definitely believe that poetry is therapy. I started writing poems as a young teen - to work through the pain of my mom's death and the lost of my first love.
ReplyDeleteThat's great you did that Carol and I bet it helped you a lot, not only writing them, but reading and hopefully re-reading them too. :) I hope you still do write poetry, even if occasionally - I know you are a busy lady! - as it can still be therapeutic in its healing ability. :) <3
DeletePoetry is bliss. I enjoy writing them and how I wish I have studied poetry in the past since there are so many things I am unaware of, such as verbal skills.
ReplyDeleteYes, poetry can indeed be blissful - writing as you mention and reading it too! :) It's never to late to study Ranveer even if you do so on your own. Now is a good time as any as it is Poetry Month! Have fun! :) <3
DeleteI love writing and reading poems. No doubt it is therapeutic! Great post Elly. :)
ReplyDeleteI can tell you love writing them Vinitha and you seem to have a natural talent for them by the looks of this month's A to Z challenge! ;) I'm glad you enjoy reading them too! :) <3
DeleteWas not aware of so many benefits of poetry! Poetry is not my fav genre ... Poetry and me are like chalk and cheese... never the twain shall meet. :P
ReplyDeleteNo worries Shilpa. Not everyone is meant to have a love and/or talent for poetry! ;) We need people of all kinds in our world. :) However, you can always admire, i.e., read, other's works of poetry! ;) <3
DeleteI love love love poetry. Rumi is one of my favourite poets who wrote "when you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy" Poetry does that for me.
ReplyDeleteWell it seems that you have been blessed with a poet's heart in the writing of your poems Suzy! :) Rumi is also one of my favourites and I have written a few posts with references to him...do a search with 'Rumi' if you like on my blog. :)
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