Poetry can help you understand your own feelings. By Geoff Ellis
JUST find your spot and start talking … it’s not like school, you don’t have to stand up straight and recite. The aim of our poetry group is to create a safe space in which to discuss, write and share poetry. If you like, someone else can read your pieces. Your presence is the most important contribution.
Read a Poem Aloud (RAPA) Day was initially the first Monday of each month at the Wonthaggi Library. Due to popular demand, every day is now a RAPA day. Some poets requested a focused time slot, so we have decided to gather from 2pm to 3pm every Wednesday.
We’re calling this hour “Poetry Therapy”. Everyone is welcome.
JUST find your spot and start talking … it’s not like school, you don’t have to stand up straight and recite. The aim of our poetry group is to create a safe space in which to discuss, write and share poetry. If you like, someone else can read your pieces. Your presence is the most important contribution.
Read a Poem Aloud (RAPA) Day was initially the first Monday of each month at the Wonthaggi Library. Due to popular demand, every day is now a RAPA day. Some poets requested a focused time slot, so we have decided to gather from 2pm to 3pm every Wednesday.
We’re calling this hour “Poetry Therapy”. Everyone is welcome.
Poetry therapy? People can’t always say what they mean. It can be tough to express thoughts and fears lest you be judged. Poetry isn’t a quick fix but benefit comes from hearing yourself as you test the words that could portray your vision and evaluate your own thinking. If you express yourself through poetry your thoughts will be appreciated. This is the source of the expression poetic licence.
Few poems change the outside world, but they can change your inner world. In doing so they transform the world for you. And a transformed you can make the world a better place.
Poetry can sometimes seem densely layered, complex or just too hard. It’s not difficult. We will discuss tips on how to write poetry and if requested may work collaboratively. We can have discussions that analyse poems and poets.
Auden wrote that “Poetry makes nothing happen” as part of an elegy for a famous poet. Perhaps Auden was a typical poet, deliberately confusing things but he’s certainly a conversation starter.
Another conversation starter: favourite poets or poem? Here are some that were nominated via a very ad hoc survey:
Who would you add?
Poetry Therapy. Poet’s Corner in the Wonthaggi Principal Library, Wednesdays, 2-3pm.
Few poems change the outside world, but they can change your inner world. In doing so they transform the world for you. And a transformed you can make the world a better place.
Poetry can sometimes seem densely layered, complex or just too hard. It’s not difficult. We will discuss tips on how to write poetry and if requested may work collaboratively. We can have discussions that analyse poems and poets.
Auden wrote that “Poetry makes nothing happen” as part of an elegy for a famous poet. Perhaps Auden was a typical poet, deliberately confusing things but he’s certainly a conversation starter.
Another conversation starter: favourite poets or poem? Here are some that were nominated via a very ad hoc survey:
- The Death of the Bird by A D Hope
- The Flea by John Donne
- Everybody Knows by Leonard Cohen
- Second Class Wait Here by Henry Lawson
- Moonlight by Vikram Seth
- Perfect Day by Lou Reed
Who would you add?
Poetry Therapy. Poet’s Corner in the Wonthaggi Principal Library, Wednesdays, 2-3pm.