Appreciating Poetry and Mental Health
Why read, write, or listen to poetry? Because it is good for your mental health - including your cognitive health.
There are many debates about "what is poetry" but that is a topic beyond this post. I want to begin with a simple description of "poem" and "poetry" and then focus on the power of poetry to affect our mental health. I will also include expert's thoughts on the value and meaning of both poetry and engaging with poetry.
In addition to that, I had the pleasure of interviewing Melvin Pasternak, co-facilitator of the CALL Interest Group, The Joy of Poetry: Discussion Group. I will share his thoughts about his life-long love of poetry and how to appreciate poetry at the end of this post.
If you are already a reader of poetry, you may find yourself agreeing with Melvin's experiences. If you have newly discovered -- or are thinking about - the joys of reading poetry, you may enjoy some of the resources.
Image by Freepik
"It is not easy to define poetry."
Bob Dylan
"My role in society,
or any artist's or poet's role,
is to try and express what we all feel.
Not to tell people how to feel.
Not as a preacher, not as a leader,
but as a reflection of us all."
John Lennon
What is Poetry? What is a Poem?
Poetry is often considered as the most expressive form of literature. Poetry uses vivid, descriptive language which can paint a picture for us or stimulate our senses. The poet chooses each word carefully and the reader may need to read with attention, and re-read to fully appreciate the imagery and the meaning.
An education resource describes poetry as "a type of literature that aims to evoke an emotional response in the reader through language chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound, and rhythm. The poet uses a combination of rhythm, word choice, sounds, rhymes, structure and more to create a piece of writing that stirs the reader’s feelings."
Rosemary Griebel, poet and librarian, describes a poem:
“Poems are small containers that hold so much – grief, love, memory, hope. They are guides that help make sense of life and give words to that which can’t be spoken. Poems ask us to pay attention to this beautiful, chaotic world. They slow time and provide comfort. Some poems sound like songs, and some stories. Some are voices from distant places, and some remind us of home." Wordfest
While poem refers to written verse, we might also refer to something, such as a beautiful dance, as "pure poetry" or "poetry in motion." It is a shorthand for something refined or amazing or profoundly beautiful.
In her book, Don't Read Poetry, Stephanie Burt compares poems to pieces of music. They all have something in common yet they vary widely. With music, people like some genres and not others. So it is with poetry. Burt writes that:
"... poems work in various ways towards various ends and give us various reasons to read them." Don't Read Poetry, p. 13
Barbara Grant co-facilitates a CALL Discussion Group, The Joy of Poetry. Barbara is a founding member of CALL. She taught High School English and Adult Education before teaching in the Faculty of Education at U of C. Barbara is a closet poet.
Barbara described poetry in the CALL Newsletter, September 2023. She wrote:
"Poetry is so much more than metrical writing! It is inspirational, intuitive, and mystical: a concise distillation of an idea. The medium is the line through which the poet creates art that selects, chooses, polishes and twists words to manage contortions with grace. A good poem is a sculpture that rises from the page and invites inquiry. Poetry is a tug of war between form and content.
Poetry and Mental Health
"...beyond rhyme or reason, poetry is good for our health and soul." More Than Words: Why Poetry is Good for Our Health
Poetry has long been recognized as a powerful tool for exploring and expressing emotions. In the context of mental health, research has shown that reading and writing poetry have the potential to help patients and their caregivers express their feelings, emotions, and creativity.
Poetry—reading, writing, speaking it—can help support our mental health, especially in times of great need. A poem might validate the experience of the reader and this validation can be reassuring, reducing feelings of isolation and fostering a sense of connection with others.
"Poetry can provide comfort and boost mood during periods of stress, trauma and grief. Its powerful combination of words, metaphor and meter help us better express ourselves and make sense of the world and our place in it."
More than Words: Why Poetry is Good for Our Health
Reading and listening to poetry can be helpful to those experiencing distress. It can be a form of mindfulness practice. This meditative quality promotes relaxation, reduces stress responses and enhances feelings of emotional well-being.
The story of Donna Ashworth illustrates the value of poetry to mental and emotional health. Ashworth is a Scottish poet whose inspirational messages gained prominence during the COVID-19 lockdown.
In her words:
"I write to keep my mindset focused on the light. A survival tactic turned into a passionate purpose. My poetry and quotes are simple, heartfelt, message driven, and hopefully go straight to the soul. It is my mission to provide words that can be used every day, as well as in those moments life hits hardest. Words carry what they are and poetry is not just for literary minded poetry buffs, it can be used in so many ways to simply ease the rub of this life – a balm if you like." Donna Ashworth
Value of Reading Poetry Aloud
Poetry began as an oral art form. It is considered to have originated in hymns and chants. Sound plays an important role, including rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, repetition and other devices which help to reinforce the emotions underlying the words. Listening to a poem, with its musical quality, can enhance our enjoyment and appreciation. This can also connect thoughts and emotions to our spoken words.
In her article, Why spoken word poetry is so much more than a poetry reading, Erica Fletcher proposes:
"Spoken word poetry can help you better understand yourself. It fosters self-reflection, emotional balance and the exploration of identity. Through this intimate form of expression, together we delve into our emotions, thoughts and personal narratives."
Interview with Melvin Pasternak
Melvin Pasternak is a volunteer with Calgary Association of Lifelong Learners (CALL). With Barbara Grant, he is co-facilitator of the CALL Interest Group The Joy of Poetry: Discussion Group.
Melvin taught poetry at Mount Royal University and has written poetry since he was 18. He holds a Ph.D. in English. In CALL, he has facilitated CALL to the Cinema for the past several years and has served on the CALL Board.
Melvin agreed to share his personal passion for poetry. I asked him several questions:
What is your personal interest in poetry?
Melvin shared his long-time interest in poetry which started when he was in College in New York City. Through the influence of a teacher who taught drama, Melvin developed his interest in literature and live theatre. Although enrolled in Business, he took some literature courses including one on Romantic Poetry and discovered that he loved reading Keats, Shelley and Wordsworth. Soon, at the age of 18, he began writing poetry. This interest has never waned.
What is your advice about reading and enjoying poetry?
Melvin shared that "reading carefully" is essential to appreciating poetry. He emphasized that "reading carefully and closely" is a skill that can be learned. Someone who is "innocent or naive about poetry" can learn how to appreciate poetry. It requires a genuine curiosity and a willingness to read and re-read the poem. Joining a group such as
The Joy of Poetry - which is peer-led - can help people to develop confidence.
He talked about reading poetry as a decoding exercise; looking for patterns. He advised that "One cannot understand a good poem on one reading -- it takes many readings."
"Some of my favourite poems, like God's Grandeur by Hopkins - 'The world is charged with the grandeur of God' - I can read and recite over and over again. It never gets repetitive for me. It has reached some kind of transcendent level of spiritual awareness and language that is ever fresh. It is an ever-bubbling spring."
"A poem has great images and great sounds. There is something about the language in a poem that is memorable -- it is a new way of perceiving something; a new way of describing something."
He shared his belief that to enjoy poetry one should have a genuine curiosity. Be open to connecting with other's thoughts and feelings in a unique way. Poetry can help us see our world from a new perspective and even see ourselves in a different way.
Do you agree that poetry can support mental health and wellness?
Melvin believes that the arts are vital for well-being. For himself, he said:
"I really need my 'fix', I will say of art each week. I need to have contact with genius. I see myself as a consumer, not an artist, not a creator. But I absolutely need to consume. There are times when I have a very strong emotional reaction that I need to write and create but more than that I need to consume film, poetry and fiction. Music and visual art to a degree as well."
Melvin summed up"
"I don't think that poetry has a good reputation. It is seen as airy-fairy, up-in-the-clouds. When I taught poetry, I showed my students how to read carefully. That helped them to learn to understand poetry. It also helped them to appreciate poetry.
"I think more than analysis -- it is appreciation. What is the author intending? What is the goal of the artist - in any medium? What is the artist wanting to communicate? The reader can learn to tune into that - and attempt to understand it. The beauty of poetry is that each time you read it can bring new inspiration."
He expressed his gratitude for CALL , an organization of lifelong learning that allows him to continue to grow. He values the opportunities for like-minded people to get together because of shared interest.
Appreciating Poetry ...
... Poetry and Mental Health
Poetry can challenge and elate. It can reflect back to us something we have deeply experienced or elucidate something we have never encountered. It has the reputation of being hard or confusing but that can signal the depths of the thinking behind it and need for learnable skills to find ways to engage with it. It must also be said that there is such a thing as bad poetry and learning how to read and appreciate poetry may lead you to discern for yourself the “grandeur” of the art. It may also engage your senses, emotions and critical thinking skills, contributing to lifelong learning.
Resources
Book
Stephanie Burt
Don't Read Poetry: A Book About How to Read Poetry (2019: Basic Books, New York)
Burt challenges assumptions that many of us make about poetry - whether we think we like it or think we don't.
Online
English Literature
Facebook
Explore the timeless world of English Literature from Shakespeare to modern classics.
How to Read (and Even Enjoy) Poetry
Poetry has an undeserved reputation for being difficult and confusing. But the truth is that you don't have to figure poetry out--you just have to read it. In this video, we talk about what poetry is, and we read a poem together with the goal of enjoying it rather than deciphering it.
How to Read Poetry (And Love It) For Beginners
Emily McGowan
A Poetry Month Sampler
Rosemary Griebel is a poet and librarian who grew up in Treaty Six territory, where she developed a deep respect for the language of the land. In addition to her collection of poetry, Yes, her award-winning poems have appeared in The Best Canadian Poetry in English, as well as on CBC Radio, literary magazines, chapbooks, and anthologies. In 2019 one of her poems was chosen for Alberta’s first literary landmark, as part of Project Bookmark Canada’s CanLit Trail.
To read poetry like a poet, don't worry about 'getting it'
Andrew Limbong, April 19, 2024
5 Tips to help you meaningfully connect to a poem.
What is Poetry? Learn all about the different types of poetry, poetry term definitions and how writers use poetic techniques to create images and stir emotions.
Why you should read poetry (Even if you think you hate it)
Annie Neugebauer
"I do think that our society pushes us toward "work work work" and "give give give," but sometimes we need to stop and sit and think and fill up our tanks. Poetry does that for me. It isn't for anyone else; it's just for me, and I believe it makes me a better, more happy person. Isn't that kind of the point of life?"
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National Poetry Month Canada
Established in Canada in 1998 by the League of Canadian Poets, National Poetry Month takes place every April and brings together schools, publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, communities and poets from across the country to celebrate poetry and its vital place in Canada's culture.
Visit our archives to find posters, blog content, and more about the history of this beloved program!
League of Canadian Poets
Author
Maureen Osis
Maureen retired from her career -- first as a Gerontological Nurse and then a Marriage/Family Therapist in private practice working with mid-life and older adults. Maureen has published numerous articles and books, related to her professions. She is a member of CALL because she is passionate about learning. She is a volunteer with CALL, doing social media and the primary author of the blog, because she likes to face new challenges.
Contributor
Melvin Pasternak taught poetry at Mount Royal University and has written poetry since he was 18. He holds a Ph.D. in English. He is a volunteer with CALL, Calgary Association of Lifelong Learners. Melvin has facilitated CALL to the Cinema for the past several years and has served on the CALL Board. He co-facilitates the CALL Interest Group, The Joy of Poetry: Discussion Group.
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