How Can Poetry Give Peace of Mind to Poets and Non-Poets Alike?
The question is, what is so compelling about poetry that many are willing to do it as a labor of love? And what can poetry do for those who fear being laid off or worse? Here are some ways that poetry can help: • Poetry Stretches Time. Most people these days have hectic lives and the situation is made worse when they have to scramble to make money in new ways. Many feel there just isn’t enough time to accomplish all they have to do. Poetry has the effect of slowing everything down, of seemingly stopping time and thereby making it easier to relax and recharge. • Poetry is Truth. It’s timeless wisdom that goes beyond the here and now. It provides a wider perspective, reminding everyone that current problems are fleeting in the larger scheme of things, and less important. • Poetry is Music to Our Ears. Even free verse has rhythm and meter, which is soothing, and similar to music, reminiscent of the mother’s heartbeat when the fetus is still in the womb. In this, poetry is similar to medit
