Healing Trauma Through Art Series: Poetry
"When we say out loud what is heavy on our heart, we set ourselves up to be freed from our silent suffering."
We all need to find a outlet whether it's through music, writing, sports, dance, etc. Whether you doodle mindlessly on a page or journal for hours, research suggests the act of creating art has powerful healing properties.
Art is healing because it forces you to forge a connection between your mind and your body. Unlike exercise, which works your body, or meditation, which clears your mind, art-making accesses both mind and body to promote healing. Every time you sit down to write a song or paint a picture, you’re using mental processes in a physically engaging activity.
“Reading or writing poetry creates a space for empathy, for seeing another person, for bearing witness to our common humanity.”
Whether it’s written or spoken, poetry can be a powerful tool to aid in healing. It offers an opportunity for readers, writers, and speakers to feel both heard and understood. It also offers us a moment to take a pause, feel, and reflect on our experiences. Poetry allows us to express a range of emotions and identify with each other. And while poetry can help us understand painful emotions, it can also help us feel empowered.
The act of writing poetry can be a great way to practice self-care, too. Everyone has a story that has shaped them into who they are. Whether we feel confident in our poetry skills or not, writing those stories can help us understand ourselves. No matter how we choose to engage with poetry as a healing art, it’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong in your poetry practice. Self-discovery doesn’t come through writing a great poem; it comes from the process. Always remember to enjoy the journey.
Below are YouTube Videos of art and spoken word
Shaq Hardy Shares a Poem About Foster Care
Every Young Person Needs to Hear This
Casey Excellent for Children Award
