look at you.
still standing
after being
knocked down
and thrown out.
look at you.
still growing
after being
picked and plucked
and prodded out of
your home.
look at you.
still dancing
and singing
after being
defeated and disassembled.
look at you, love.
still here and hopeful
after it all.
– Alex Elle –
The poem teaches us that we’re powerful than we know. Resilience is a part and parcel of being human and no matter how tough things get in our lives, we can almost always find the power we need to bounce back from the situation. The poem gives us hope, an aspiration that things will get better soon; you just need to stay strong and hang in there. This is the power of words! One small poem gives us hope and encourages us to be more optimistic towards the situation.
Poems have been used throughout history to express all kinds of emotions. Many famous poets such as Sylvia Plath, Ernest Hemingway, Leo Tolstoy have used their poems to express their battles with mental health. Poetry is also often cited by many mental health professionals as an effective way to help combat many of the negative feelings that people who suffer from mental health conditions commonly face. Poetry can boost your mood by writing it or reciting it. It can give you or others strength. Poems express a wide range of emotions and showcase many different thoughts. It allows us to use the nuance of language to talk about some of the most difficult feelings that humans can experience. It allows us to confront our innermost thoughts and feelings and provides a comfortable format to be able to share them with others.
Let us see few beautiful poems and how the poets have written their personal experiences through the poems. Alone by Edgar Allan Poe is a reflection on his solitary childhood and many people who suffer from anxiety and depression related to the feelings of loneliness expressed in the poem. See It Through by Edgar Guest carries a message of hope and highlights the importance of facing obstacles with a positive attitude. Don’t Quit covers similar themes and is an inspiration to people going through difficult times. The Rainy Day by Henry Longfellow compares depressing and miserable times to a rainy day. It might seem like a sad poem but it shows the importance of looking ahead and finding your inner strength. Sonnet 29 by William Shakespeare expresses Shakespeare’s feelings of depression and hopelessness. But it also highlights his recovery through happier thoughts of love.
Did you know that poetry can be a great tool for maintaining mental wellness as well? You might wonder but, Yes, it’s true! Writing can be a self-healing process and it can help a person to clear the mind and better understand the thought process. Writing allows the artist to be free and introspect his feelings in their creation of work. Poetry allows a person to write about one’s feelings in several ways, be it abstract or literal. You can write whatever you are feeling; in your creative manner. It’s okay to not focus on the structure and format; focus on what you want to say and that’s what is important! When you write your poem, encourage yourself to do so without inhibitions or second thought. One thing to remember is that – ‘there is no “bad” form of poetry.’
Sakal WAITT’s Kavyadarsa is one such platform that allows everyone to speak their heart out. It is a safe space to explore identity, diversity, empowerment where the poet community can share their thoughts, feelings, experiences, providing a familiar but current look into the human experience. Explore the world of poetry by registering for this event. To join the event, click on the link given here :
