Title: The Poetry Remedy: Prescriptions for the Heart, Mind, and Soul by William Sieghart
Format: In 2014 William Sieghart began The Poetry Pharmacy where he prescribes poems after consultations with persons needing a poetry prescription. Since that time he has prescribed thousands of poems to folks in the U.K. and spent hundreds of hours of in-person consultation. This book is organized around the oft-sited concerns of his "patients." The left side of the page explains how poetry can speak to problems/concerns/situation. The right side of the page has a sample poem which Sieghart often prescribes.
Book Beginnings quote:
Condition: AnxietyAlso available for: Fear for Children; Fear for the future; Sleeplessness; Stress; Worrying.For as long as anxiety has existed, human beings have woken up panicking in the night. And anxiety has existed for a long time: at the very least, since we first became aware of ourselves and of the future, however many millennia ago. Yet it was not until the modern age that anxiety seemed to become epidemic. Ironically, in the time of greater plenty, health, and comfort worldwide than ever before, we are more racked by worry than have ever been. [And so forth]... I find the calming words of Wendell Berry's "The Peace of Wild Things" help me put things into "...
Friday56 quote:
Condition: Need for MindfulnessAlso available for: Disconnectedness; Need for Gratitude.Prayer, to many in our secular age, has become a dirty word. The concept is dismissed as fusty or naive; the practice even more so. And yet as the popularity of meditation and mindfulness soar, there seems to be a collective longing for a moment of quiet in our busy lives. [And so forth]... Mary Oliver reminds us that we are all in need of a doorway into thanks; a way of relating to the world without our egos and, for just a moment, allowing ourselves to feel quiet gratitude for all the small moments of grace that we encounter daily...
Summary:
Sometimes only a poem will do. These poetic prescriptions and wise words of advice are tailored to those moments in life when we need them most, from general glumness to news overload, and from infatuation to losing the spark. Whatever you're facing, there is a poem in these pages that will do the trick.
This pocket-size companion presents the most essential fixes in William Sieghart's poetic dispensary--those that, again and again, have shown themselves to hit the spot. Whether you are suffering from loneliness, lack of courage, heartbreak, hopelessness, or even an excess of ego--or whether you are seeking hope, comfort, inspiration, or excitement--The Poetry Remedy will provide just the poem you need in that moment. (Publisher)
Review: I always enjoy reading poetry books like this one which have some analysis or talk about aspects of the poems or hidden meanings. I found new poems and pondered familiar ones with new eyes. I have always read poetry like prescriptions for remedies when I need a lift, am feeling sad, or want to experience new thoughts/insights.
Here are some of the poetry prescriptions I really appreciated:
"Celia Celia" by Adrian Mitchell
"Everything is Going to Be All Right" by Derek Mahon
from "My Brilliant Image" by Hafiz
"You Reading This, Be Ready" by William Stafford
"When Death Comes" by Mary Oliver
and so many more.
-Anne
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