The Power of Poetry by Lee Oakley
Photo by Dziana Hasanbekava on Pexels
Poetry for everyone
When we think of poetry we tend to think of an almost song-like style of writing that rhymes and often about familiar themes of love or nature. But poetry actually encompasses an array of styles of writing and is more simply defined as emotive or conceptual expression through the use of a distinctive writing style.
Some poets follow specific styles of writing, such as haikus, limericks or ballads. These forms of poetry allow poets to reap the benefits of a pre-made structure that they can align their writing. These were perhaps the poems we read in school and were taught to challenge ourselves to write too. But if this doesn’t float your boat, don’t put off poetry writing altogether.
Poetic style is often very specific to each writer and can be confessional, metaphorical, rhythmic or nonsensical. There truly is no limit to poetry, and you don’t have to be an avid sonnet writer like Shakespeare to start writing your own.
It seems important to note here that poetry really doesn’t discriminate. Just as there are several forms of poetry that suit different people, poetry as a whole is for every gender. There’s a harmful stereotype that we often see in all areas of the arts that tends to suggest that artistic practice does not align with traditional ideas of masculinity. We often see this topic in conversation with mental health, with charities such as Boys Get Sad Too and MANUP? trying to break down the stigma around men talking about their mental health.
“Masculinity is far too complicated to be confined to damaging sentiments and behaviours which fail to acknowledge the natural diversity of human beings and which fail to see that masculinity is not restricted to a single gender.” - Guy Cry Club CIC
Guy Cry Club CIC encourages men to explore their mental health through creative practice specifically, creating an extensive portfolio of diverse work made by men that aims to uncover hidden thoughts and feelings. These works range from poetry, drawing, painting, photography and more and can be found on their website.
How can poetry benefit you?
Well, similar to how anyone can write poetry, there is poetry out there for everybody to enjoy reading, too. Perhaps you find it thrilling to read haikus and see how different poets have made use of their syllables. Or maybe you find ballads powerful, with their emotive and dramatic storytelling that read like a short book or in song form takes you on an audible journey. Maybe you find the most joy in poetry that makes you feel comforted and understood and doesn’t follow specific structures. Either way, there really is something out there for everyone to be inspired, fulfilled or excited by.
Writing your own poetry can also be an excellent source of comfort for some. The picking apart of language can aid the expression of ideas and feelings and writing these thoughts and feelings out can allow poets to find a space to explore their vulnerability.
A 2021 study found that patients and caregivers that were encouraged to read and write poetry through a series of exercises saw statistically significant reductions in fear, sadness, anger, worry and fatigue (AAP).
Expressive writing is well-known for its benefits through activities such as journaling. A study into the effects of expressive writing found that, after a three-month follow-up, participants high in expressiveness evidenced a significant reduction in anxiety (NIH). Free verse poetry perhaps links to this form of expressive writing the most, with its lack of structure, themes or style. In this way, poetry really boasts of its ability to become a creative outlet for its writers.
Additionally, the sharing of this poetry can open up a conversation between the reader and the writer that allows for a deeper connection (MindWise). Just like we might prefer to text than to call, perhaps we find it easier to communicate our feelings through writing rather than speech. What’s more, our writing may have a positive impact on any readers that may resonate, allowing them to feel understood.
Want to try it for yourself?
Getting started writing poetry can feel daunting, but if poem writing interests you, the best place to start is by reading or listening to some, and you don’t have to look far! Poetry is all around us: on your Pinterest boards, in anthologies, on YouTube and probably in your Spotify playlists.
Finding which poetry you enjoy reading or listening to is a great starting point to creating some for yourself and just like any art form, you can start by creating privately before you become confident in your writing.
Whether your motivations are developing your own personal creative outlet, communicating important feelings with others or creating something you can feel proud of, there is plenty of inspiration out there, and you shouldn’t let anything hold you back from finding new ways to express yourself.
Written by Lee Oakley
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This article was written in association with Mindless Mag. By partnering with the social change platform Guy Cry Club CIC could connect with their network of global storytellers who then produced a series of articles exploring masculinity, mental health and creativity. Find out more about Mindless Mag and the brilliant work they do below.
