Therapists, teachers, and self-help books are increasingly encouraging creative writing, such as journaling and writing poetry, as a means of expressing emotions, articulating thoughts, analyzing memories, and communicating with others. According to Jennifer Wolkin, PhD, “Poetry gives us [a] way to speak about the unspeakable.” Poetry can plumb the memories that are hardest to put into words and turn them into images and frameworks that put the experience in a different light and allow them to be shared. Reading poetry is also useful: realizing that other people have gone through similar experiences can help eliminate feelings of loneliness and provide encouragement to keep going. In fact, reading and writing have been so clearly shown to aid healing from trauma and mental illness that an entire branch of therapy, bibliotherapy, has been devoted to their application.
One branch of bibliotherapy is dedicated to poetry in particular. Poetry therapy refers to a method used alongside more traditional therapeutic approaches and can involve all three aspects of the art: reading, writing, and performing or explaining poetry. The therapist could read a poem out loud, encouraging the client to react to it. The therapist could then prescribe an assignment (usually stream-of-consciousness poetry) for the client to complete on their own, perhaps offering prompts. A third “symbolic/ceremonial” aspect of poetry therapy is using metaphors to further explain vague emotions or to literally embody a more symbolic aspect of healing. One example of this method includes writing a letter to someone who has passed on and burning it.
However, someone wishing to practice expressing their thoughts and exploring their motivations on a deeper level doesn’t need a therapist or a treatment plan to start writing poetry. Upon learning about “poetry therapy,” many practiced poets realize they have been using poetry for years to get through difficult times and make sense of their experiences. Poems are approachable because they are short, ambiguous, and expressive. Taking a few minutes to write a short poem can deliver a great sense of accomplishment. Poetry is very expressive because it is so concise; it uses a few words to represent a large idea. This sometimes makes the theme almost vague: the idea may be clear-cut, but what the metaphor represents may not (for instance, a poem about relationships falling apart could be interpreted as a poem about death), making it safer to share with others if someone feels uncomfortable talking about an emotion or situation. Some people don’t find writing poetry a helpful process because they’re so concerned about writing a “good” poem or fitting it to a certain form that they don’t successfully communicate their true thoughts. If that’s the case for you, don’t worry about making your poem worthy of publishing– only share it if you really want to. There are plenty of creative outlets besides poetry as well; some people find that writing short stories, novels, or journal entries serve the purpose of poetry by offering insight and perspectives on their experiences. Almost every kind of art can have therapeutic effects as long as you can find a medium that you enjoy and keep at it.
It is important to recognize, of course, that the sole purpose of poetry (and art in general) should not be to uplift yourself and discuss your own feelings. As Christians, our purpose in writing poetry should always be to glorify God and serve his Kingdom with our words. This especially applies to poems that we plan to publish and share with friends. Creative writing for self-expression is a wonderful tool for working through strong emotions and hard experiences on our own, and even David used some of his psalms to vent despair and other dark feelings. It is notable, however, that he almost always ended his psalms in an upbeat tone, reminding the reader that his trust was ultimately in God and reminding himself that God’s goodness would win in the end. For those interested in experimenting with poetry as an exercise in self-expression, keep in mind that if you discover that you have a long-term affinity for poetry, you should put those gifts to use to glorify God and learn to write about topics other than your own experiences! Furthermore, although sharing poems that revolve around difficult experiences with friends can encourage them by reminding them that they’re not alone, it is still more encouraging to learn a lesson from David and incorporate some element of hope into each work. As Christians, we look to God to save us from difficult times and feelings, and as Christian artists, we should let the world know about the hope of the gospel.
This New Year, why not make a resolution to try journaling, writing poetry, or just putting your thoughts on paper for a few minutes each day? It’s surprising how much it can help, especially during a hard period of life. If someone reading this article is in a difficult time of life or struggling with a problem like mental illness, remember that Jesus has set us free, and every new year is a new opportunity to let Him transform our lives!
Photo Credit: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/poetry-therapy
Sources:
Larwood, Leah. “Poetry Therapy: Why Reading and Writing Poems Is Good for You.” Calm Moment, Our Media LTD, 12 Mar. 2021, https://www.calmmoment.com/creating/poetry-therapy/.
Sax, Annamae. “Understanding Trauma: The Healing Process of Poetry.” Tufts Poetry Awards, Claremont Graduate University, 5 Mar. 2019, https://arts.cgu.edu/tufts-poetry-awards/understanding-trauma-the-healing-process-of-poetry/.
Villines, Zawn. “What Is Poetry Therapy?” Medical News Today, Healthline Media, 1 Nov. 2020, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/poetry-therapy.
Wolkin, Jennifer. “Poetry Therapy: Poetry as Rx.” BrainCurves, BrainCurves.com, 3 July 2018, https://braincurves.com/2018/07/04/poetry-therapy-poetry-as-rx/.