poetry therapy

meriel · Jun 17, 2008

Does anyone know of any good self help poetry therapy books? I have no poetry talent, and am looking for EASY ideas. I've found some cute ideas by searching teacher lesson plan sites, but am hoping to find a few books. Children's books are OK sometimes, but I'd also like some adult books too.

kdnxdr · Jun 17, 2008

I'm curious, are you looking for "therapy" books to help you read/write/understand poetry or are you looking for poetry books for you to read to help with other issues in your life or are you looking for poetry books to help others in some way?

kid

poetinahat · Jun 17, 2008

It's not about therapy per se, but Ted Kooser's The Poetry Home Repair Manual is well-written, enjoyable to read, and very helpful.

I'm not sure what the therapy issue is, meriel, but I can recommend this book for a start. Ted Kooser's a former US Poet Laureate, but he also happens to be very good at making his readers comfortable.

Welcome to the AW Poetry Forum - perhaps we can help each other.

meriel · Jun 18, 2008

I just learned about poetry therapy recently. I guess it is similar to art therapy. They are about the process, not the product. They are geared towards people that may have no talent at all. Projects often include a self discovery aspect.

I have no natural talent for art or poetry, but have decided not to let that stop me. I'm content to make bad art

And when I study, sometimes I find some instructions that are so clear, that when I try them, I am absolutely AMAZED at what I have produced.

Poetinahat, I will check the library for the book you mentioned. It sounds good.

I guess I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for :-0

I found instructions for writing limerick's, and wrote a VERY funny one for a friend I'm sure she will love. It's so horrible it's great.

I guess I just want to have some fun and maybe sometimes delve into some self discovery work. I want to please ME, not an audience. I want to amuse myself and heal myself.

kdnxdr · Jun 18, 2008

Kudos to you! Welcom and enjoy, you've come to a good place to learn and just enjoy.

kid

meriel · Jun 18, 2008

I think I've found a great book on Amazon.com. It's called "In-Versing Your Life: A poetry Workbook for Self-discovery and Healing.

Thanks for welcoming me

kborsden · Jun 19, 2008

I'm actually involved with poetry courses as creative therapy for troubled teens and young adults at my local YMCA...hmmm...a book, you say? Interesting....

meriel · Jun 19, 2008

It's really hard to find poetry therapy resources :-( It's mentioned a LOT, but there seems to be so little literature available. I'm having "In-versing Your Life" sent to my local Barnes and Nobles. I should have it in a few days.

kborsden, I'll tell you what I think of it.

poetry therapy

meriel

kdnxdr

One of the most important people in the world

poetinahat

say it loud

meriel

kdnxdr

One of the most important people in the world

meriel

kborsden

Has a few recurring issues

meriel