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The Poetry Pharmacy


Synopsis


'Truly a marvellous collection ... There is balm for the soul, fire for the belly, a cooling compress for the fevered brow, solace for the wounded, an arm around the lonely shoulder - the whole collection is a matchless compound of hug, tonic and kiss' Stephen Fry

Sometimes only a poem will do. These poetic prescriptions and wise words of advice offer comfort, delight and inspiration for all; a space for reflection, and that precious realization - I'm not the only one who feels like this.

In the years since he first had the idea of prescribing short, powerful poems for all manner of spiritual ailments, William Sieghart has taken his Poetry Pharmacy around the length and breadth of Britain, into the pages of the Guardian, onto BBC Radio 4 and onto the television, honing his prescriptions all the time. This pocket-sized book presents the most essential poems in his dispensary: those which, again and again, have really shown themselves to work. Whether you are suffering from loneliness, lack of courage, heartbreak, hopelessness, or even from an excess of ego, there is something here to ease your pain.

'The book is delightful; it rightly resituates poetry in relation to its biggest and most serious task: helping us to live and die well' Alain de Botton

Summary

Chapter 1: A Dose of Poetry for the Weary Soul

* Explores the therapeutic power of poetry, its ability to provide solace and healing.
* Example: Emily Dickinson's "Hope" is cited as a source of resilience amidst difficult times.

Chapter 2: The Poetry of Heartbreak

* Addresses the pain of romantic loss and bereavement.
* Example: William Wordsworth's "Ozymandias" depicts the futility of power and the transience of human life.

Chapter 3: Poetry for the Anxious and Stressed

* Offers poems to calm the mind and reduce stress.
* Example: Mary Oliver's "Wild Geese" encourages readers to embrace their wild spirits and find solace in nature.

Chapter 4: Poetry for the Courageous

* Features poems that inspire bravery and resilience.
* Example: Maya Angelou's "And Still I Rise" celebrates the indomitable spirit and perseverance of the oppressed.

Chapter 5: Poetry for the Grief-Stricken

* Provides poems that offer comfort and healing in the face of loss.
* Example: Rainer Maria Rilke's "Elegy for Young Lovers" acknowledges the pain of grief while highlighting the enduring bonds of love.

Chapter 6: Poetry for the Joyful

* Celebrates the beauty and wonder of the human experience.
* Example: Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself" exalts the interconnectedness and abundance of life.

Chapter 7: Poetry for the Mindful

* Introduces poems that promote introspection and self-awareness.
* Example: Rumi's "The Guest House" invites readers to welcome the experiences that life brings, both pleasant and challenging.

Chapter 8: Poetry for the Creative

* Offers poems to foster imagination and inspire creativity.
* Example: Sylvia Plath's "Daddy" explores the complexities of father-daughter relationships through vivid imagery and metaphor.

Chapter 9: Poetry for the Restless

* Addresses the yearning for adventure and the desire to break free from societal constraints.
* Example: Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" encourages readers to embrace the less traveled path and forge their own destiny.

Chapter 10: Poetry for the Spirit

* Explores the transcendent and spiritual dimensions of human existence.
* Example: John Keats' "Ode to a Nightingale" celebrates the beauty of nature and the power of poetry to elevate the soul.