Category: Poetry

Finding Meaning Reading Poetry

By Brad Bell

Reading poetry may be beneficial for a few reasons. One of these reasons may be that it fosters a sense of meaning in life. In my book, Finding Meaning (2007), I describe seven sources of finding meaning in life. One of these sources is purpose. We may find a sense of purpose in life partly by learning something new.

Some poems may provide insights concerning experiences and ideas that can be viewed as life wisdom. For example, consider the following poem (in quotes) in my book, To Look Beyond the Surface (Bell, 2025):

“The Meaning of Everyday Joy

Gazing intensely
at an amazing sunset.

Laughing at the ironies
of mundane life.

Experiencing tears of joy
with unexpected good news.

Feeling a sense of tranquility
walking in the woods.

Experiencing vicarious joy
when helping a stranger.

Being fascinated
with the discovery
of new ideas.

Feeling blissful
with a free-flowing
conversation.

Experiencing joy
creating a unique
abstract painting.

Listening intensely
to an amazing song.

Feeling happy knowing
you have no worries
at the present time.

These everyday reflections
open our eyes to see
what is beyond
the opaque surface.

Our eyes brighten with
amazing glimpses
of the sparkling images
emerging from a vast ocean
of everyday joy.”

The above poem seems to convey the idea that joy can stem from a number of experiences in everyday life. This may be considered reflecting important life wisdom. It may suggest that we should focus on what is significant about everyday experiences to find greater joy. This greater joy might foster a greater sense of purpose in one’s life.

References

Bell, B. (2007). Finding meaning (3rd edition). Portland, Oregon: Blue Fox Communications.

Bell, B. (2025). To look beyond the surface. Portland, Oregon: Blue Fox Communications.

The Psychology of Poetry

By Brad Bell

Poetry is an artistic form of communication that may be appreciated by a significant number of people.   It may be easier to address questions concerning the psychology of poetry than the question concerning what is poetry.

The psychology of poetry has two perspectives:  the writer perspective and the reader perspective.  The writer perspective concerns why we like to write poetry.  The reader perspective concerns why we may enjoy reading poetry. In this article, I will provide some ideas concerning why we may like to write poetry, and why we may enjoy reading poems.  These ideas may have implications for how to write a poem.  More research may be needed to address the validity of these ideas.

Why Do We Like to Write Poems?

1.  Self-expression

One of the basic reasons we may enjoy writing poems is that it may allow us to express our thoughts, feelings, interests, attitudes, and values in a brief form of communication. For example, writing poems about nature may reflect our interest in nature. This may help us find meaning in our lives.

2.  Creative Expression

Poetry may be a simple and easy way to express creativity.  Expressing creativity may be a way that helps to foster meaning in our lives.

3.  Inspiration and Motivation

Poetry may be a way to feel inspired and motivated.  We can write positive poems with a message.   It may make us feel more motivated.  Also, we may enjoy writing poetry because we wish to inspire or motivate others.  It may be very rewarding to know that our poetry can make a difference in the lives of others.  For example, we may write a poem to provide words of encouragement for a friend, or a poem about hope.  Because providing words of encouragement may be a defining attribute of close friendship, some inspirational poems can be viewed as friendship poems for best friends.

4.  Emotional Expression

Writing poems may be one way to express our emotions.  We can express both positive and negative emotions.   For example, we may write a poem to express happiness or sadness.  Also, writing poems may allow one to express how one feels about others.  For example, you could write short love poems for the one you love.   Short love poems for him or her should be specific and clearly state feelings.

5. Self-knowledge

It is possible that some poems we write may help us understand ourselves. We can reflect on the thoughts and feelings expressed in our poems and infer what these feelings and thoughts suggest about our motivations, beliefs, and values.

Why Do We Enjoy Reading Poems?

1.  Understanding a Person’s Feelings

Poetry appreciation may be linked to empathy.  Poetry may help us to imagine and understand how another person feels.   It may be important for us to understand how someone close to us feels.

2.  Artistic Appreciation

Reading poetry may be enjoyable because we appreciate the artistic expression of the writer.

3.  Inspiration and Motivation

Reading poetry may inspire and motivate us.  It may be uplifting.  Poetry may provide us with a sense of hope and meaning.   We may gain insight into how to cope with adversity.

4. Understanding of Ideas or Concepts

Some poems may express ideas or concepts. Poetry may be an alternative to prose to present ideas and concepts, and the poems may help to clarify the ideas or concepts. In my poetry book, To Look Beyond the Surface (Bell, 2025), I include a number of concepts, such as hope, empathy, and wisdom (this book is available from lulu.com).

References

Bell, B. (2025). To look beyond the surface. Portland, Oregon: Blue Fox Communications.