Opened by a Poem: Therapeutic Uses of Poetry

What it is about poetry that opens and closes — that soothes, shakes, or surprises? We'll read and discuss poems that soften grief, raise hope, or explode inertia. We'll also offer playful invitations to self-expression that sneak past our inner critics. Sharing aloud will not be required. Resources include a bibliography of healing poems and poetry-therapy books, websites, and organizations. This course is not geared toward those in acute crisis, nor is it a substitute for psychotherapy.