Poems for the Soul
A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds.
— Percy Bysshe Shelley
Poetry is one of the ancient arts, and it begins as did all the fine arts, within the original wilderness of the earth.
— Mary Oliver
Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.
— Robert Frost
Kindly note: The information included in this blog is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for mental health services. Please consult with a qualified professional to determine the appropriateness of the information for your own life experiences or if you have any questions.
A note from Anny:
Poetry is a gateway to the soul, offering us the freedom to experience and express every emotion that comes with being human. It grants us the permission to feel without judgment, allowing us to embrace the light and the shadows within us. Our journey through life is enriched by the myriad ways we experience it, yet these same experiences can challenge us if not nurtured with care.
To navigate this journey gracefully, we need understanding, openness, authenticity, optimism, and connection. By accepting ourselves fully and granting ourselves permission to be vulnerable, we create space for honesty and hope to flourish. In community, we find the strength to share our truths, both beautiful and painful, knowing we are never alone.
Let us remember that love resides in our willingness to share not only our joys but also our struggles. Through poetry, we can connect deeply with ourselves and others, finding solace and support in the shared human experience.
When I began to listen to poetry, it’s when I began to listen to the stones, and I began to listen to what the clouds had to say, and I began to listen to other. And I think, most importantly for all of us, then you begin to learn to listen to the soul, the soul of yourself in here, which is also the soul of everyone else.
— Joy Harjo
There’s a reason poets often say, ‘Poetry saved my life,’ for often the blank page is the only one listening to the soul’s suffering, the only one registering the story completely, the only one receiving all softly and without condemnation.