Poetry as a Cathartic Vessel
The relationship between the written word and poetic expression is ancient and oft attached to the emotion of oppressive and sometimes dark subjects rather than that of joy and wonder. It thus serves as a conduit through which the catharsis of emotionally heavy stories can be intimately experienced by both writer and reader — it is heavily linked to the ancient practice of directing heightened emotion in a story or narrative. Poets can thus give us a lens through which we can access and explore our emotional reality — for good or for bad.
Moreover, the structural aspect of poem helps to process both the rush of different emotions and thoughts, allowing those feelings to be stored away in meaningful, organized containers. Perhaps that is why poetry has been embraced by therapy professionals and creative outlets such as dance, music, painting — and even videogames, to help people explore their emotional states and often to come to terms with recovered or repressed memories. Many poems — even some of the most obscure ones — can elicit a deep, emotional reaction, even if the audience can’t put a name to the feeling.
In many ways, poetry enables us to express our deepest emotions in a way that is both meaningful to us and also to our audience, regardless of the language or form of the poem. It has been known to unite different groups of people under a single shared message; consider how Ginsberg’s “Howl” united a generation in the 1950s and how the Beatnik community pushed forward the sense of rebellion and non-conformity that are still seen today.
On a more abstract level, poetry can provide us with both meaning and insight into ourselves, pointing out our flaws and our successes, as well as reminding us of the collective stories of our culture and our lives. In this way, poetry serves to provide us with an emotional and often a spiritual connection that can span the boundaries of time, place, and culture. At its core, poetry requires us to take a step back and reflect on our emotions, allowing us to grow and learn from our experiences.
Finally, the rhythmic, lyrical power of poetry can move and motivate us. Many people find great solace in hearing a poem read out loud and connecting with its musical qualities helps to communicate what words may have lacked in themselves. The accompaniment of a poem’s rhythm, often disrupted by strong stanzas and key words can add depth and dynamic to the words, providing a unique outlook on the human experience regardless of how perplexed or mundane the poem might be.
Exploring Poetry as a Creative Outlet
Poetry can be a powerful form of creative expression and can give the reader an insight into the writer’s thoughts and emotions. Writing it can often be therapeutic, enabling one to express emotions that would otherwise be difficult to convey. At its best, poetry can take on a life of its own, becoming an intimate source of comfort as readers relate to the themes, feeling inspired and related to by the writer’s experiences.
In a sense, poetry is a conduit through which our deepest thoughts and feelings can be communicated without the need for direct description. Though many possess the belief that poetry has been diminished due to the single-word explanations of our feelings, new generations are finding solace in amorphous expression and its tactile manifestations. Poetry provides us with an artistic and creative way of expressing ourselves that can often transcend the boundaries of language and culture.
Furthermore, writing poetry can be seen as an important part of personal growth, allowing us to express feelings that, on the surface, may appear too difficult to navigate. Through writing, the poet can both absorb the emotions and process them in a way that will hopefully release them from the mind and soul, enabling a writer to move on from their troubles.
Moreover, poetry comes in many different forms, from structure and rhyme to free verse, which can allow the reader to explore varying themes of their own. All of these styles can bring to life a mix of emotions and stories in ways that are often overlooked by more conventional writing forms. Research suggests that poetry can even bring about emotional breakthroughs within individuals, allowing exploration of those feelings without having to undergo potentially disruptive emotional interventions.
Writing poetry can also be seen as a way of shaping one’s identity, allowing us to craft not only our internal voices, but also a narrative and sense of self that we can be proud of. In this way, poetry plays an incredibly important role in helping us shape our social selves and our lives.
Living and Breathing Poetry
Most great works of literature and poetry have been given to us with the intention to give life to the trapped emotions, thoughts, and feelings that we may not be able to articulate in everyday life. By giving us a canvas to work on, poets are able to bring to life stories that are often overlooked and provide us with ways of analyzing and understanding our surroundings in different ways. Indeed, by utilizing words to encapsulate our experiences, we are able to have a greater understanding of our emotions.
The flexibility of the written word allows poets to describe the highs and lows of experiences in a manner that can speak to others without actually needing to personify these feelings. Poetry educates — revealing to one who writes, and to one who reads, realities about the human condition that are rarely put into words. In this way, poetry can both liberate and inspire, becoming an important part of how we understand each other, how we interpret and interpret moments, experiences and emotions.
What’s more, poetry can also be seen as an important form of communication between individuals, with the poet often taking on the role of mediator between the speaker’s experiences and their audience. Through this, the poet can provide a sense of unity between their message and their listeners, leading to an even greater understanding of each parties experiences. In this way, poetry serves as a cultural bridge, often constructing a narrative between us and our world.
Poetry can also bring people together, providing understanding and insight into something that may have otherwise gone unseen. Acting as a unifyer, poetry can become a collective ritual that is accessible to all, unifying experiences of emotions regardless of age, race, gender, or social class.
Preserving the Legacy of Poetry
Given its rich history, it is no surprise that poetry has been around since the dawn of writing and continues to be a fundamental part of how we engage with the world. It has been used to capture history, to tell stories, and to offer us solace in difficult times. Poetry has also been used to create protest songs and chant for social justice; to convey love, grieving and passion; to record peoples thoughts, opinions and feelings on a particular issue or to just pure expression.
Our world is always evolving, yet the power of words and the impact they have on people still lingers. Words, when written, can travel distances, span continents and live forever, if we reach out and allow them to. Through its use of language, rhythm, and structure, poetry has been known to give hope, to explain the inexplicable, to mollify the pain, to be an unwavering friend, a mental health trainer, and an education tool.
Poetry has also been a medium for protest and change. Throughout the centuries, political poets and artists have used the poetic form to give witness to their reality and to express sentiments that cannot be put into words in any other manner. From Anne Bradstreet’s narrative poems about life in the New World in the 1600s to Maya Angelou’s powerful expressions of civil rights in the south of the USA, poetry has been used to preserve and share our culture, history, and knowledge.
In some cases, poems are used to pass down generations of wisdom — wisdom that bridges our current society to the past and helps to shape the future. For this reason, poetry continues to be one of the most important tools in the creation of culture — and in the preservation of history.
Learning to Appreciate Poetry
While it is often easier to engage with a poem when one is already familiar with the form and its conventions, it is possible to learn about poetry and begin to appreciate it even for beginners. The sheer diversity of poetry offers something for everyone, from the experienced lover of language to the novice reader. Furthermore, resources such as poetry readings, discussion groups, and blogs make it easier than ever to approach poems, engaging with them and understanding their meaning.
In addition, there are various methods and techniques to help one learn the fundamentals of poetry appreciation – from the basics of techniques such as meter and rhyme, to the production of original works. Courses, websites, and books can provide an education in the subject, allowing students of all ages to come to terms with the form and style of poetry.
Furthermore, tools such as researching different poets and their works, and writing vignettes are invaluable in learning the many forms, traditions and styles of poetry. Studying historical works like those by William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, and W. B. Yeats – to more contemporary writers such as Sylvia Plath, Geoffrey Hill and Robert Lowell – can help one to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of poetry.
In essence, it is all about discovering what speaks to you and allowing yourself to explore a wide range of works. Puerility should not be a deterrent; rather, a tool to help one find the joy and appreciation of poetry.
Reclaiming Poetry as a Tool of Healing
The idea of using poetry as a healing tool has been gaining traction in recent years, with many using it as a way to gain emotional clarity or to work through difficult and traumatic experiences. For many, the power of words is an invaluable asset, giving them an alternative outlet to express their feelings and to help them come to terms with personal struggles. The familiarity and accessibility of the written form can give a great deal of comfort — both for the writer and the reader.
In this regard, groups such as Poetry Medicine, offer a unique and safe space for those wanting to explore the peace and healing that can come from poetry. Here, participants may turn to their own writing as an aid for their personal journey towards health and for many, this may be the first step in reclaiming power over their lives.
The resurgence of interest in poetry therapy has seen the use of poetry not only as a form of self-expression but also as a way of connecting with the inner self and understanding those emotions which may have otherwise gone untouched. In this way, by allowing one to access and explore their deepest thoughts and feelings, poetry therapy can be a powerful tool in allowing one to heal.
Furthermore, through its use of creative expression and language, poetry can provide a platform to connect with others, allowing access to emotions which may otherwise be difficult to communicate. Through its power of communication, poetry can provide a structured support network and a safe space to explore individual experiences.
Poetry as Expression of Love
Applying the poetic form to that of romance has been a timeless exercise throughout history. Through the ages, poetry has been a powerful form with which to articulate love, both for those in a relationship and for those seeking it. In this regard, poetry can act as a bridge between two distant forms of love, enabling understanding and communication between two individuals.
In essence, poetry can bring to life the deep and intangible emotions that exist between two people — emotions which can often not be expressed through language alone. It can evoke a range of feelings, from longing and happiness, to sadness and despair, allowing us to connect with our emotions in a way that can be both comforting and profound.
Indeed, poetry has often been used to express love and devotion to a beloved, providing the words when language fails. Through its ability to create intimacy and understanding, poetry allows a person to express their emotions without the need to verbalize them – allowing the reader to experience something that is often too deep to be put into words.
In this way, poetry can be used to capture the power of love
