**a Tribute To Healing Power Of Poetry Poem by RAJ NANDY

**a Tribute To Healing Power Of Poetry

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A TRIBUTE TO HEALING POWER
OF POETRY
(BIBLIOTHERAPY)
The word poetry derives from the Greek word
‘poesis’, -
Which means ‘a making’ of a literary art form ,
Where language is used for its evocative,
aesthetics and emotional response!
A poem is an emotional-intellectual-physical
construct, -
Meant to touch its reader’s heart!
Poetry links one individual to another by its
distilled experience, -
Through its rhythm of words and imagery, -
driving away our inner loneliness!

In Greek mythology Oceanus tells Prometheus, -
That ‘words’ are the physicians of the diseased
mind!
And the ancient Oracles at Delphi used the
healing power of poetry, -
Through their various ritualistic chants and
incantations, -
Had tamed many a savage mind into subjugation!
The Roman physician Soranus in the first century
AD,
Had prescribed poetry and drama for his patients
mentally oppressed, -
Tragedy for his maniac patients, and Comedy for
the depressed!
The great psychiatrist Sigmund Freud had clarified, -
That it was not he but the Poet, who had discovered
the subconscious mind!
Freud went on to say that the human mind is a
poetry-making organ;
Focus of poetry for ‘healing’ is self-expression and
growth of the individual;
Whereas focus of poetry as ‘an art’ – becomes the
very poem itself!
But both use the same technique he had said; -
Words, rhythm, metaphors, sound and images,
But in the end - the result is the same!
The word ‘therapy’ comes from the Greek word
‘therapeia’, -
Meaning to nurse or cure through dance, song,
drama or poetry, -
Perhaps the divine way to poetic therapy!
It is therefore not surprising, that Asclepius, the
Greek god of healing,
Is the son of Apollo, the god of poetry and medicine!

The first hospital for the mentally ill in the American
Colonies, -
Was set up in Pennsylvania in 1751, by Benjamin
Franklin!
Where a number of ancillary treatments were used,
Including the writing of poetry and reading it aloud, -
Written by the patients who were mentally ill! @
‘Bibliotherapy’ was the term used for poetic therapy,
Which had become popular during the sixties and
the seventies!
It was also effectively used in group therapy, -
With patients sharing their feeling and emotions,
Providing a release for their inner pain and tension!
The rhythm and repetition of words often created
a hypnotic trance, -
Reaching out to those ‘secret places’ and creating a
bridge, -
To that unconscious mind from which poetry springs!
And friends in support of what I have just said let me
quote,
Those immortal lines, which Robert Frost once
wrote; -
“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep” #
-Raj Nandy
17 Sep 09
New Delhi
FOOT NOTES: -
** Initially poetry was orally recited and also
sung to the accompaniment of the lyre! After the
invention of writing it started to develop its own
form. Forms make arrangement out of derangement,
harmony out of discord, and order out of chaos!
@= The writings of some of these patients were also
published in a newspaper titled –‘The Illuminator”!
# Robert Frost’s famous poem, “Stopping By The
Woods On A Snowy Evening”, was extensively used
for poetic therapy!
I HAVE TRIED TO HIGHLIGHT AN ASPECT OF POETRY
NOT KNOWN TO MANY!
**ALL COPY RIGHTS ARE RESERVED BY RAJ NANDY**

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Ritty Patnaik 17 September 2009

dear raj....your write is amazing about poetry as a therapy, used for healing.and why not? anything that soothes the mind and gives comfort, can aid to better healing.i like the way you have worked on this one, absolutely fantastic.we do feel happy when something nice touches the heart.so does this. best wishes ritty

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Ramesh T A 17 September 2009

Thought provoking, enlightening and amazing to muse over poetry along with you once again as it is refreshing the mind! Nice poetic exposition of this wonderful and beautiful art, for which man is unique in the world!

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Shakuntala Sharma 17 September 2009

your poem is very educative.Thank you

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Bob Blackwell 17 September 2009

Raj, you amaze me with your knowledge, I can only learn from you. What you say is true, poetry does soothe the mind. I was also taught to read only good books, listen to good music and keep good company as they were good for the soul. Truer words have never been spoken. Thank you my friend. regards Bob

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Sandra Fowler 17 September 2009

A glorious tribute to the fine art of poetry. Well researched and eloquently written. The music of words is a great solace to the mind and spirit. And thank you for the quote from Robert Frost.Immortal lines indeed. With admiration for your presentation, Sandra

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Brian Taylor 26 May 2018

I really like the deep knowledge that you gave Raj Nandy thank you.

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Shashendra Amalshan 07 October 2009

Hello sir.. I kind of know this feeling too. It does have a soothing effect on brain. Poetry can ease the tension that boils our heart these days.. Thanks for this informative piece..! ! ! Ahh I gotta tell you one thing though! ! these days girls don't go for poems, I mean my friend stopped talking the day I wrote and gave her a poem.. This is good..Poetry is a good way to let your emotions out... Make your mind at ease, Karin Ma'am asked me to go and read your poem, this is my first visit to your page...10 regards Shash

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Vidi Writes 24 September 2009

To much of intelligence of human brain Sure to cause panics and loneliness...; -) Amazingly, the same intelligence Can bring a healing touch through its codes Humans stuffed with minutes details of cures Just to wonder and ponder...here it is.... Cause and Cure comes from same organ... Absolutely true, Poems are the healers.

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Mehta Hasmukh Amathalal 23 September 2009

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep” #.it has formed corner stone of feeling about poetry andi strictly adhre to it eventoday....poetry has got deep healing power and one canget solace from word power.... beautiful poem to last long in the mind....10 read mine....promises to keep.....oh, dear daughter(new)

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Mamta Agarwal 23 September 2009

there was never a doubt about the healing power of readind and writing poetry. helps to explore deeper layers of consciousness and works as a catharsis, which work as a therapy. i suppose its true of all arts. great work as always. Mamta

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