 Poetry: May 20, 2015 Issue [#7001] |
  Poetry
This week: Cathartic Poetry Edited by: Fyn-elf  
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Comedy can be a cathartic way to deal with personal trauma.~~Robin Williams
My wife Cecily Adams was dying of cancer, my daughter Madeline was struggling to overcome an autism diagnosis, and my father was dying, all at the same time. Writing the journal was a cathartic experience, and an extremely positive one.~~Jim Beaver
Writing is very cathartic for me. As a teacher, I hear many students say that writing can be painful and exhausting. It can be, but ultimately I believe that if you push through, the process is healing and exhilarating.~~Francesca Lia Block
Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.~~E. L. Doctorow
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I know, I know. This is the POETRY newsletter, but my idea came from the suggestion of writing a blog to a friend, so I will most likely mention not only poetry but encompass all writing as well. My friend is an alcoholic, 23 days sober (as of my writing this) and beginning a blog has been, in her words, a 'freeing experience.' She has also received much encouragement and positive reenforcement. VERY important things when trying with every cell to avoid the triggers, pitfalls and cravings that can knock someone off the track so easily.
It got me thinking. Certainly, I know that I, personally, have written poetry to deal with the things lurking in the far back, dark corners of my brain. I know it has helped to put the writer's spin (and distance, perhaps) on some less than happy times. Then again, angst, despair, fear or anger typically make for good writing. Sometimes, it (for lack of a more eloquent word) sucks to 'write what you know!'
Yet I've discovered that working through a 'bad time' in a poem, playing with words, metaphors, sounds, can also help to interpret the 'thing,' to put it in its proper place or, simply, (after the writing) to let go. Facing it, as one must to write about it, is cathartic, it does let one examine the nuances in a safe way, and give the writer the opportunity to rant, witch, moan groan and let it out. Granted, some of spewing may not be for human consumption, but then again, some is. In sharing, we can find out that we are not alone, that we aren't the only one dealing with what-ever the subject may be. Others have been in that same dark, fearful, angry corner too. Most mega issues one might face become so personal to us, as people, that we sometimes forget that others have experienced a similar event. That sharing, that knowing, is very, very powerful. For both the writer ... and the reader! No, the problems are not all solved and no, the pain may not go away. But somehow, the load is a wee bit lighter.
Another way one can do this, and yes, departing from the purely poetical, is to use those dark moments in our fiction writing. Poems can be fiction. For some reason, people 'tend' to believe that every word in a poem is truth. A truth, perhaps, but not necessarily a personal truth. Working through issues in fiction gives the writer that safety net, that curtain, that can shield them from flat out saying, 'I was abused' or 'I've been raped' or 'I was terrified.' For some reason, people generally, are fearful of 'say' such things. If so, then letting it out in writing can be a great alternative way to express the feelings and let them be voiced.
I've written about abuse, rape, gender issues, depression, suicide, heart transplants, death, losing a family member, and many other subjects. Have I experienced all of that list. Thankfully NO! Some? Yes. Responding to one prompt or another has occasionally let the creepy memories slither out into the light of day where, after writing about them, in some form or another, I have been able to squash 'em flat, pull out the 'authorial can of bug spray' and eradicate them! They then scuttle back into the dark corners a shadow of what they once were, lacking much of their power to mess with my head and can be dealt with with on a far more emotionally together level. 'Freeing' was the word my friend used. Absolutely!
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Since she was the inspiration for this newsletter:
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About my daughter's friend. Her mom is an alcoholic. She's in foster care now.
#1094803 by Jezri  |
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#441530 by Not Available. |
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monty31802 says: A very good News Letter, I liked the way you set it to form. a thank you for the highlight also.
Elfin Dragon-finally published writes: Thank you so much for listing my poem as well as my story challenge.  |
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