Photo taken in Stratford-upon-Avon, England
Ancient Art
In high school, it was typical to enter an extensive period delving into the works of William Shakespeare. Naturally, we covered the gist of his brilliance, which included his unparalleled and innovative psychological insights that undoubtedly pushed the boundaries of language.
In class, we talked about his clever and imaginative use of words to strike deep into timeless themes of the human condition. From Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day? to Julius Caesar to Hamlet and more, we discussed all of the elements of his stories that poignantly explore relatable experiences such as love, power, betrayal, mortality, and grief.
Perhaps I was too young to appreciate the philosophical gems in his writing or his method for unpacking emotions with deep resonance. I can just recall going through most of his plays with speed according to the design of our curriculum and trying to keep up with our immense load of schoolwork.
Thankfully, one assignment allowed me to slow down enough to understand the cultural impact of one of the greatest writers of our time with the classic Romeo and Juliet play, in which our entire class was forced to reenact scenes from beginning to end. It wasn’t until my group received an outstanding ovation beside my overwhelmed teacher bearing tear marks of pride that I finally saw the value of poetry itself.
Beyond the structure, meter, and rhyme, poetry is an ancient art that enables us to point to multiple truths in a powerful way. Here are six reasons why poetry offers essential life lessons worth keeping in mind.
1. Articulating the Unsaid
Some moments in our lives are difficult to describe in simple wording. When it comes to the ineffable, we can’t always rely on standard prose to fully capture the peaks and troughs of a gut-wrenching experience.
But poetry is our ultimate vehicle for capturing whatever it is we’re going through, no matter how seemingly indescribable. Even in the midst of processing, it provides the very channel of release enough for us to hear our voice and express what needs to be said.
2. Developing Mindfulness
What makes poetry so cathartic is that regardless of whether we’re reading or writing, it requires our fullest attention. In a world of abstract meaning and complexity, it wouldn’t be the best experience trying to comprehend any of it by splitting your focus with multiple tasks.
In many ways, this medium is a mindfulness activity that can be treated as a meditation practice. Even if what you’re writing resembles something closer to freestyle, the point is that it allows you to observe any racing thoughts, tune into the senses, and set the tone of your day.
3. Heightening Observation
It’s a common habit to want to react to anything and everything happening in your life. But like a lot of artistic pursuits, working on something creative helps you develop the muscle of deep observation, pattern-recognition, and understanding.
Deepening this sensory power is an invaluable skill that helps you strip away the fluff and get straight to the heart of the matter. In the long term, you learn to see the big picture instead of getting lost in the details, especially when you’re letting your curiosity lead the way.
4. Practicing Empathy
Another reason why poetry teaches us life lessons is that it encourages us to see things from multiple angles. When we immerse ourselves in the dynamic exchange between multiple characters, we get the chance to try on different perspectives and walks of life.
In doing so, we gain more and more insight into the mysteries of what it means to be alive, including its numerous paradoxes and contradictions we cannot avoid. The more we lean into this form of literature, the better equipped we can be at expanding our compassion for those we have yet to understand on an honest level.
5. Enhancing Expression
It goes without saying that the more words of which you gain familiarity, the more you can explain yourself in different ways. But beyond expanding your vocabulary, poetry allows you to access a multidimensional world of meaning where you can really play with expression at an unmatched capacity.
From figurative language to musicality to word association and more, the creative choices available to you are limitless. Additionally, all of these elements provide natural cues to improve recall, helping new terminology stick to your memory.
6. Fostering Emotional Resilience
One of the things I love about writing poetry is that it serves as a tool for untangling challenging experiences. Personally, it represents a safe outlet for me to explore dark moments of deep despair alongside feelings of light optimism, hope, and the possibility that presence brings.
According to research, this art form is a valid therapeutic tool for transforming suffering and making sense of chaos. Moreover, the science behind this activity reveals that it activates the brain’s reward centers, which can lower stress and reduce pain.
Ultimate Vehicle
There is no denying the value that poetry brings to our lives. In Dead Poets Society, the character John Keating states, “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion.”
So whoever it is that inspires you to explore this sacred medium of our past—whether it’s Maya Angelou, Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickinson, W.H. Auden, or more—seize the day. Hopefully, we can unpack all sorts of things in this ultimate vehicle for discovering individuality that never fails to capture our shared humanity.
