Therapeutic Value Of Poetry
It isn’t a coincidence that I feel enriched and moved—often to the point of exhilaration—by poetry and my overall ‘feel good’ level is heightened. This is true whether I am writing or reading.
This is because poetry, with its unique ability to distill complex emotions, ideas, and experiences into concise yet impactful language, holds immense value in human life. It certainly does in my experience. Reading and writing poetry not only deepens our language skills but also expands our understanding of the human condition, fostering empathy, creativity, and introspection.
Classic Examples: Wordsworth And Dickinson
Early in my life, I believe it was when I entered the 5th Grade English class, I was introduced to the poet William Wordsworth. For me, he is a classic example of the power of poetry and his “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” is often referred to as “Daffodils”. It was written in 1804. In it, Wordsworth captures a moment of transcendental beauty as he recounts encountering a field of daffodils. Through vivid imagery and rhythmic language, Wordsworth conveys the joy and inspiration nature can bring to the human soul. I believe by reading and studying this poem, readers can learn to appreciate the beauty in everyday moments and find solace in nature’s embrace.
“I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
If you’re not into flowers and nature’s embrace, how about the poetry of death? Yes, I know, the subject seems too morbid for some but face it, death pays us all a visit eventually. In “Because I could not stop for death” by Emily Dickinson, written around 1863, we find a timeless example of poetry concerning death. Here she personifies death as a courteous gentleman who kindly escorts the speaker on a carriage ride through the stages of life toward eternity. Through her masterful use of metaphor and symbolism, Dickinson explores the complex themes of mortality, time, and the afterlife. By engaging with Dickinson’s poetry, readers are encouraged to contemplate their own mortality and find meaning in the cycle of life and death.
“Because I could not stop for Death”
Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.
We slowly drove – He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility –
We passed the School, where Children strove
At Recess – in the Ring –
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –
We passed the Setting Sun –
Or rather – He passed Us –
The Dews drew quivering and Chill –
For only Gossamer, my Gown –
My Tippet – only Tulle –
We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground –
The Roof was scarcely visible –
The Cornice – in the Ground –
Since then – ’tis Centuries – and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses’ Heads
Were toward Eternity –
Poetry’s Enduring Power
These are but two classic examples that demonstrate the enduring power of poetry to capture the beauty, complexity, and depth of human experience. By reading and writing poetry, we engage with language in a way that transcends ordinary communication, allowing us to connect with others on a profound emotional and intellectual level. Whether it’s through the sublime beauty of Wordsworth’s nature poetry or the existential exploration of Dickinson’s introspective verse, the value of poetry lies in its ability to inspire, provoke, and enrich our lives in countless ways.