The Amazing Power of Poetry

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The Amazing Power of Poetry

Poetry has superpowers. It smashes down walls, builds bridges and burns itself into the memory with the fire of a branding iron. Poetry can leave grown men weeping and bring a smile to the mouths of the most sullen. Whether it grabs the attention with a steady, snappy, syncopated beat or leaves you wanting more as it quietly weaves a misty, meandering tangled web of emotion and longing, poetry speaks to you.

And we all need someone to speak to us.


Poetry can help communication with people with dementia

The spoken word can be a barrier for some sections of society, very young children or older people with communication failure.

In my time working with elderly and young people, I have found that rhyme and rhythm can open doors and allow interaction and connection. Music and song are widely recognised as keys to unlock communication; poetry can too.

The repetitive sounds of rhymes stimulate short term memory. A steady rhythmic beat soon attracts and holds the attention. Even if the ability to comprehend the language is not there, the rhyme and rhythm will bridge communication gaps.

And…as importantly…poems can be fun.

the power of poetry. A poem is often remembered into adulthood
From I book I remember well!

Nothing joins people together faster than a smile.

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The poet R.S.Thomas – Inspiration amidst spiralling doubt

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Recently I had the honour of visiting the church where the poet R.S.Thomas spent time preaching. Reading through his poetry whilst immersed in the body of the whitewashed stone building where he questioned his life’s work as a minister of God put me closer to his words and their meaning.

This little blog post is not a biography, but a tribute from the heart and pen of someone who thinks she understands.

R.S. Thomas preached at St Hywyn church Aberdaron

The church of Saint Hywyn in Aberdaron is a deep grey sturdy building standing solidly on the cliff. Its exterior shouts of defiance in the face of many a winter storm. Built by a people who need nothing fancy to proclaim their faith, and who do not regard humility as weakness, the church was created to endure rather than impress.

It almost didn’t endure – it was in such a state of disrepair that a new church was built in Bodernaby. However, the people came back to St Hywyn’s and the restoration work was completed.

Internally, the space is bigger than the outside suggests. Once through the big door, it envelopes the spirit in a blanket of peace. The air moves freely – it gladly gives of itself to replenish the bodies of those who enter its space. It accepts the exhalation, soothing the troubles that are breathed into its midst. Then it hands us back the same experiences, wrapped in the gift paper of detachment. We can reopen our worries and see them through the eyes of God. What or whoever you deign God to be.

How insignificant so many of our petty concerns are.

As for the bigger ones, it helps just to feel that someone – or something – has listened.

The poet R.S.Thomas – his truth

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