Poetry & Medicine - Ann Rich's Blog

I was asked how I would promote poetry and I ask you the same my fellow poets. First thing I would do is separate poetry as a stand alone language or shall I say poetry has a tongue of it's own and can not be interpreted/translated in its full glory from one language to another without leaving gaps. I would say it is the universal forgotten language of all species. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.poetrytherapy.org/ About NAPT The National Association for Poetry Therapy is an energetic, world-wide community of poets, writers, journalkeepers, helping professionals, health care professionals, educators, and lovers of words who recognize and appreciate the healing power of language. Poetry therapists work in mental health, medical, geriatric, therapeutic, educational and community settings. The term "poetry therapy" encompasses bibliotherapy (the interactive use of literature) and journal therapy (the use of life-based reflective writing) as well as therapeutic storytelling, the use of film in therapy, and other language-based healing modalities. Those who wish to become practitioners of poetry therapy are invited to explore the Certified Applied Poetry Facilitator (CAPF), Certified Poetry Therapist (CPT) or, for licensed mental health professionals, Registered Poetry Therapist (RPT) credential training programs offered through the National Federation of Biblio/Poetry Therapy. Please visit the NFBPT web site for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets.htm Interviews with, excerpts from and essays on 161 modern American poets. An excellent educational and training resource. The poems analyzed are available in Anthology of Modern American Poetry (Oxford Press) Article in Salon by Harvard's Rafael Campo, M.D., "The Word Doctor" www.salon.com/health/feature/1999/12/08/poetry/index.html www.emule.com/poetry/ The Poetry Archive has 3740 copyright-free, classical poems by 144 authors such as Emilly Dickenson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Robert Frost, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. www.poetrypoetry.com An innovative audio site where you can hear poems read by the poets who wrote them. Also: featured poets, a poetry workshop of writing ideas, poetry news and reviews, and links to great poetry sites around the world, as well as audio and print open mics for your work. Hosted by NAPT member Charlie Rossiter. Poetry and medicine; contains texts of some poems, audio files of some poems, and annotations on every poem. Irish literature and mythology www.Healingstory.org The website of HASIG, Storytelling as a Healing Art

Ann Rich Date: 1/28/2010 8:05:00 AM I love all of you and anyone that wants to join my crusade in developing and promoting poetry for a just cause let me know... Poetry is a healing agent which is an example of a just cause. I will start leaving links for all of you... email me: deeperpoet2005@yahoo.com reference it as poetrysoup Loving you Lighting you Peacing you Login to Reply

Vince Suzadail Jr. Date: 1/26/2010 6:43:00 PM To each his own. Poetry has always been a means of communication from political statements to professions of love. It has always been a dominant force from the times of Homer throughout the ages. It's an outlet for anger. Music is enriched by lyrics (poetry). Great start Blondescribe. Vince Login to Reply

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 1/24/2010 1:59:00 PM There are many ways to promote poetry, Ann, and most of them have been described well by the other readers of your blog. I'd like to find a way to regenerate more interest in poetry. There has been more public interest in prose than poetry for many years. I'll be checking this blog again to see what others have to say. Love, Carolyn Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/23/2010 2:14:00 PM Intertesting blog, Ann. I like your AKAs! andrea Login to Reply

Constance La France Date: 1/23/2010 8:31:00 AM poets must find their poetry voice.. a form.. a way of writing that is unique to them.. then the poetry can speak with its own voice Login to Reply

Lena Townsend Date: 1/23/2010 7:57:00 AM I love the way you describe poetry as the "universal forgotten language of the species" as this reminds me of Spirit. Many in their own way believe in a higher power, their "inner strength or voice" that brings them peace and love, I can see poetry the same way as it is so blessed with love. Spirit speaks through the soul, thus the Bible and its poetry were able to be translated in numerous languages and still have such beautiful flow. The words of Spirit flow like wine through the veins of the soul and spill out onto the pages filling us up with peace. Smiles from Lolita Login to Reply

Iolanda Scripca Date: 1/22/2010 12:41:00 PM I know what you mean, Blondescribe. I have two sections on my web site: one for poems in Romanian language and one in English. People asked me why I don't translate all of them in both languages? ...Because I would lose the musicality and deepth of methaphors of each of my loved languages. That is why. IT IS JUST LIKE MY LIFE: I spent the first part in Bucharest/Romania and the, now, second part in California/USA.Can I trade one for the other? No! Each has had its own charm, beauty, hardships and flavor. Life and Poetry have their own language one cannot translate... Login to Reply