Once I've written something down, it hurts less

"....the writing of poems in itself provides deep insight into the problems of the individual.  Both the poet and the reader find themselves expressing their fears, pains, hopes and goals in poems. And poems themselves have an ability to shape shift; be entirely private or a communal experience.”  — The Journal of Poetry Therapy*

Why do I write poetry?

To understand myself 🤔to process uncomfortable feelings 😳 to examine my dark side 😔 to cry and scream in my own space 😱😢

Does it work?
Yes. Once I've written something down, it hurts less.

Then, and only then will I work on it further, to see if I can convert the writing into something to share with others, that will have meaning for others.

i.e. to see if I will publish it, make it public.

There is a delicate balance in what is working for the poet/writer and what is working for the reader — this is the space any good publisher aims for — the sweet spot.

Recent poems:
Of Roaring Water Bay, published by University of Chicago in their literary journal, Euphony, Spring 2022.
The Dead published by The Nonconformist
A Decade of Pilates - a selection of 5 poems published by A Thin Slice of Anxiety.
Nineteen, Driven Home published by The Rail
The last two pots of Marmalade published as RTE poem of the day, 28 April 2020

*The Journal of Poetry Therapy is a peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal committed to the publication of original articles concerned with the use of the language arts in therapeutic, educational, and community-building capacities. Research (qualitative and quantitative), practice (clinical and education), theoretical, and literary studies are emphasised. The intended audience for JPT includes those in the allied helping professions; as well as those in literary/artistic fields with a concern for the healing/therapeutic aspects of the language, symbol, and story.