Poetry and Psychology

A lot of people in the whole world appreciate the artistic form of communication called poetry. There can be various reasons why someone may like to write poetry and why people like poetry so much (or certain people, at least). Understanding these psychological issues may help one become a better poetry writer, but however, further research in this field is required in order to obtain the best results. Self-expression is one of the main reasons why someone chooses to write poetry. Poetry is a great means of communication, allowing us to express our own thoughts, attitudes, interests, values and feelings. Indeed, poetry may be a reflection of our various interests. Another basic reason for writing poetry may be creative expression. Thus, poetry may be nothing more than a means of expressing one's own creativity. And by expressing creativity, we can bring meaning into our own lives. Writing and reading poetry may also help somebody feel motivated and inspired. We can write poetry with a certain message that can help us feel motivated. Another reason for writing poetry may be the wish to motivate or inspire others. Thus, it may be quite encouraging to know that by our poetry we can help others; we can bring hope or inspiration into other people's lives. Close friends

encourage each other, and encouraging, inspirational poetry may be considered as some sort of letters sent by close friends. Poetry may also be a means of expressing ourselves emotionally. We can express either positive or negative emotions. Obviously, the most frequent emotion-based poems are that expressing sadness or happiness. Writing poetry may also be a means of expressing one's feelings towards other people. For instance, people who are in love may write poems to express their feelings towards the object of their desire, i.e. the beloved person. The most efficient love poems are the ones which express one's feelings and emotions with clarity and openness. On the other hand, as it has been previously mentioned, there are several reasons why we generally enjoy reading poetry. The first reason may be to understand another person's feelings. Thus, we could indeed say that empathy is quite similar to the appreciation of poetry. By poetry, we can understand or imagine how another person feels, and by this we can feel close to another human being. It is essential to develop empathic skills in our personal relationships, and poetry may help us do that. Those who are interested in the more professional side of poetry are likely to appreciate it from an artistic point of view. Some people find poetry enjoyable because they are able to appreciate the writer's artistic expression. Finding inspiration and motivation, uplifting our spirits are some other good reasons for opening a

poetry book. Certain poems can impregnate us with a sense of meaning and hope, or can help us gain insights on different issues. By turning us into creators, poetry connects us to our internal resources and changes our point of view. And even if poetry is not always a veil that could help us camouflage all the bad and ugly things in this world, it can still help us transcend them and can make us more conscious. In February 2009 when the recession in France seemed to paralyze Guadeloupe and Martinique, several scholars among whom we could mention Patrick Chamoiseau and douard Glissant, said that there wasn't any economical crisis, but rather a poetic crisis. They wrote a political manifesto under the form of a poem. Writing, reading or reciting poetry (out loud) could indeed be some forms of self-therapy. It can be a form of escapism, or a catharsis, a means by which we purge our inner lives from the ugly aspects of the world we live in.

Why Do We Like to Write Poems?

1. Self-expression One of the basic reasons we may enjoy writing poems is that it may allow us to express our thoughts, feelings, interests, attitudes, and values in a brief form of communication. For example, writing poems about nature may reflect our interest in nature. 2. Creative Expression Poetry may be a simple and easy way to express creativity. Expressing creativity may be a way that helps to foster meaning in our lives. 3. Inspiration and Motivation Poetry may be a way to feel inspired and motivated. We can write positive poems with a message. It may make us feel more motivated. Also, we may enjoy writing poetry because we wish to inspire or motivate others. It may be very rewarding to know that our poetry can make a difference in the lives of others. For example, we may write a poem to provide words of encouragement for a friend, or a poem about hope. Because providing words of encouragement may be a defining attribute of close friendship, some inspirational poems can be viewed as

friendship poems for best friends. 4. Emotional Expression Writing poems may be one way to express our emotions. We can express both positive and negative emotions. For example, we may write a poem to express happiness or sadness. Also, writing poems may allow one to express how one feels about others. For example, you could write short love poems for the one you love. Short love poems for him or her should be specific and clearly state feelings.

Why Do We Enjoy Reading Poems?

1. Understanding a Person's Feelings Poetry appreciation may be linked to empathy. Poetry may help us to imagine and understand how another person feels. It may be important for us to understand how someone close to us feels.

2. Artistic Appreciation Reading poetry may be enjoyable because we appreciate the artistic expression of the writer. 3. Inspiration and Motivation Reading poetry may inspire and motivate us. It may be uplifting. Poetry may provide us with a sense of hope and meaning. We may gain insight into how to cope with adversity.

Inspirational Poems
We have included three short poems that I wrote that I would consider examples of metaphor poems, inspirational poems about life, and meaningful poems about life. One of the poems ("Soaring Above the Clouds") can also be considered an optimistic, positive attitude, or hope poem. Some inspirational poems may be poems about acceptance, letting go, and forgiveness. One of the poems below ("Where Eagles Fly") can be viewed as an acceptance, letting go, and forgiveness poem. It may provide some insight into how to forgive and the meaning of forgiveness.

Reconnecting with the Past

The past is not a tape in a tape recorder to be erased and recorded over. The past and the present are part of the same picture that we paint of life. Each event in life adds a new color to the picture. Each event in life adds a new element to the landscape. We need to reconnect with the past to see the majestic quality of the entire picture that we paint of life. The past helps us make sense of the present.

Soaring Above the Clouds

The darkness of negative thinking hovers over us like clouds in a thunderstorm. Our view of things is obscured, like driving through dense fog. We need to soar above the clouds. Every day can be a sunny day if we perceive the glass as at least half full. Every day can be a sunny day if we find meaning in something we do each day of our lives.

Where Eagles Fly

I am no longer sitting in the prison of regret. I have accepted the past.

I am now free to embrace the present with a new sense of appreciation. I am no longer shackled by bitterness. I have learned to forgive what I thought was not forgivable. I am free to experience the joy of unconditional acceptance. I am no longer a puppet on strings. My eyes are open to see reality with a truly authentic mind. I allow myself to be completely free to soar gracefully like an eagle. My animated soul dances with the wind