Poetic Therapy

Friends, a few weeks back I had written about various alternate healing therapies. Recently I came across one more such therapy, and I was really shocked when I read the name of this therapy, which is called POETIC THERAPY, and today I am sharing the information about this therapy.

Poets/Shayars/Kavis have entertained us through filmi songs across generations. Whether Shakespearean poetry or Film songs, we Indian enjoy all forms of poetry. Did you know that writing poetry has a deep impact on our souls? It has a therapeutic impact on us and brings about some positive changes. We all should let go of our inhibitions and try a hand at writing poetry. Some plus points of this therapy:

It is therapeutic

Writing poetry can be therapeutic in expressing our feelings. Whether happy, sad, angry, frustrated, or ecstatic, poetry is an outlet to get it all out. If you are from old school, use pen and paper, or use digital screens to vent your feelings! It does not matter. What matters is to start. Start with just putting down feelings, make it short, and try to bring in some rhyming words or a flow as you go. If it makes sense to you, then that only matters. It will work like a therapy session. It helps us analyze our feelings, heal our emotional scars, and feel better. If it is a happy feeling, it is like a celebration. As per one American poet, ‘ A poem begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, a homesickness, and a lovesickness’.

Improves your language skill

There are no limitations of language in writing poems. You could choose to express yourself in any language you are comfortable with. However, as you start writing, you will realize that your language skills are improving. You will learn about rhyme and rhythm. It vastly enhances your vocabulary and understanding of life and literature, as you will begin to see new meanings in the writings of others.

Keeps you mentally healthy

Writing poetry is like learning a new skill. You will search for new words and find better words to express yourself. Your critical thinking will improve as you analyze what you have written or read. In short, your mind will be active with thoughts spurring you on a creative journey. Thus, it helps improve your cognitive functions to keep you in a mentally healthy condition.

Improves self-awareness

Experts say when you understand yourself better, you also learn to understand others better. When you express your deepest desires through poetry without any inhibitions, it brings out your hidden personality aspects. It helps you better understand yourself. Writing poetry can be insightful and constructive self-reflection. It may be better than hours pondering over aimlessly without any output. In many ways, poetry can be your meditation.

Creates a world connect

Writing poetry can help improve your understanding of others’ views about things happening in society. You develop various perspectives and become more empathetic and tolerant. This aspect strengthens your relationships. You easily connect with people in a better way. Also, if you share your poetry with like-minded people, it creates a network of people who speak and understand the same language.

How to go about it?-   Start small and write whatever you feel. You could also choose to go systematically. Try with fewer words and fewer lines to create short poems. Try writing anything that takes your fancy. An innovative way is to write birthday and anniversary wishes for your loved ones and friends as poems. You could present in your voice gatherings. The present times are the right time to start, as many publishing houses are encouraging people to write and publish. Some do it for free, whereas few take minimal charges to publish your thoughts. People across ages are getting their poems published on digital media, which could be sold as e-books

In the end, poetry is a deal of joy and pain and wonder with a dash of the dictionary. So, go ahead and put your heart out and inspires others to do so.

Waiting for your views on this blog.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

6^th July 2023.