POETRY THERAPY A HEALTHY REMEDY (c) By Polly Guerin

Poetry is often neglected in today’s high tech society resulting most significantly by the preoccupation by individuals with text messaging, cell phone use, iPods and other mechanical devises. This causes a cold interaction with plastic and metal that does not enhance the human spirit. Constant use of high tech devices can cause an individual to feel out of sync with one of life’s greatest pleasures: the written or spoken word. The reading and reciting poetry has lingering and uplifting vibrations exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts. Poetry can also be a health benefit that helps to create a feeling of serenity, an oasis of calm or an avenue of encouragement or enlightenment.
READING & RECITING POETRY
There’s a great deal of pleasure to be had when you are alone just by reading poetry, but reciting it out loud could also give you considerable satisfaction as the words replenish beautiful thoughts. When a few friends gather in a poetry circle and someone with a lovely voice recites the inspired words aloud the affect can have positive vibes on the listeners in the group. When deciding on poems to read, at first chose poems for their simplicity, mood and message. Just as they do in a book club, after the poem is read, engage the friendship circle in a lively discuss of shared responses to the poem. I remember how a delightful friend with an exquisite tone to her voice as well as her ability to articulate certain words with emphasis at a holiday party recited the poem, “T’was The Night Before Christmas.” (Clement Clarke Moore) Although many of us had read this poem many times before, as we heard it read out loud we were spellbound as if held my some magical force that elevated our holiday cheer.
A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE
In my poem Broken Pieces, (by Polly guerin 3/30/2010) for example, there is a message that each person can clearly define merely by reading it. As my dear friend Jan Cullinen said, “I really enjoyed it. Your positive outlook on life is so welcome in a world gone mad!” Yes, poetry can lift us out of the deluge of a computer driven and high tech society. If recited before retiring poetry can lull us to sleep, by day it can uplift our lackluster spirit, it can replenish our need to be centered and calm and it can have such a soothing effect that can make the workday seemingly pass with relative ease and efficiency.
BROOKEN PIECES ©
For your pleasure here is Broken Pieces:
How am I to mend a broken heart?
Each jagged piece is where I start....
This tiny broken angle is a fragile part
Of a treasured teacup bought on a lark ....
It began one Spring day, joy to savor
Something wonderful was in our favor....
Life Unfolds with many twists ‘n turns
Like these broken pieces I learned....
The glue of life reminds me anew
Of opportunities before we knew....
Though rainy days will surely come
Keep courage up before you’re done....
Amazing things are in God’s plan
Gluing the teacup pieces says ‘I can’....
Reap the rewards that are on their way
Be prepared mend the cup, don’t delay....
Mold the teacup into a positive whole
Make solid affirmations your goal....
Count your riches, family friends
Your joyful renewal should never end....
Abundant life ‘n health your cup is full
Gluing teacup pieces is all you need do.
REACTION TO THE POEM
I adore getting feedback from my friends and acquaintances and share a few with you. Patt Mihailoff, a celebrated author of mystery and romantic novels said, “Dear Polly, Only you can write though provoking prose about a broken tea cup and make it whole and beautiful once more. Thank you for sharing Broken Pieces.” Andrew Baseman of Andrew Baseman Design, an interior designer also mends antique broken pieces of china said, “Thanks so much for sharing your poem Broken Pieces. I forwarded your poem to the editor of Tea Time magazine.” Dear reader, won’t you please make a comment to this poem of your own or tell me about your favorite poem at the end of this blog in the comment section? If you do, thank you I will look forward to reading your response.
WRITE A POEM OF YOUR OWN
Why not write your own poem, you can do it and you do not need to be a wordsmith either. Keep it simple, rhyming two lines to start and before you know it you’ve created an inspiring work straight from your heart. Share it with your poetry circle; share it with family and friends. Read it out loud and savor the words as they flow gently from your imagination and inspired spirit. Wherever you live take the opportunity to attend poetry readings, be brave enough to ask if you might recite your own poem at another session. Get into the poetry grove and discover the great pleasure that poetry can bring to uplift your emotions, revitalize your appreciation and help you to recover the true meaning of a creative life.