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The Power of Positive Poetry

When I categorize poetry as ‘positive’, I don’t just mean in the motivational-cat-poster type of way. Whereas an inspirational quote or a particularly encouraging piece of prose is one that helps me get through the morning, the most impactful poetry is that which completely changes my perspective for the better—both of my own life and the world around me.

Positive poetry can take many forms. Literally, of course, poetry can positively impact someone whether it’s spoken word, an Instagram post, or a Shakespearian sonnet. But when looking at how these poems encompass positivity— it’s just as diverse. The first way poetry can be positive is through relatability. Relatable poetry may not be optimistic but can comfort the reader by ensuring that they are not alone in the problems they face. Many poets use writing as an outlet for their emotions and inevitability bridge a deeper connection to their readership. Personally, reading poetry that I am empathetic to has inspired me to find my own outlet in writing. It allows me to be vulnerable, a skill that has transformed my relationships with others for the better.

But how does one find a relatable read? As a woman, I seek poets such as Charly Cox of ‘She Must Be Mad’ and Greta Bellamacina of ‘Tomorrow’s Woman’. They are great authors that deeply connect to the feminist struggle. It’s almost startling to read and feel the familiarity of a fresh female perspective; it’s almost like they write every experience as if they lived it with me. As a person regardless of gender, there is one book that really hits home. Often noted by her husband and popular poet himself, r.h.Sin; Samantha King Holmes has created a masterpiece in her 2019 release of ‘Don’t Tell Me Not to Ask Why’. From her youth to her marriage, Holmes seemingly covers everything and, in turn, touches any reader that may stumble across her poetry. Her blurb gives the most powerful, motivational message of all:

‘ I feel so broken I am going to make something really great out of that ‘

-Samantha King Holmes

Additionally, poetry can have a positive impact far beyond the individual. My favorite poets are those who bring their diverse perspectives into the white-dominated, heteronormative field that is the poetry industry. By writing about POC and LGBT issues that are often overlooked by big

media and publishers, readers broaden their viewpoint towards a equalitarian society, gain awareness about issues, and help fight for change. One poet that contributes to this (and one that I have always admired) is Robert Swaney-Boreaux. Although his book, Lovely Seeds, might be the most common way to recognize him, I found him when he started as an Instagram poet about four years ago. Safe to say, I have been hooked ever since. A Lakota-born Native American, Swaney-Boreaux invokes such an immersive empathy in his writing that anyone who reads his work will instantly want to address the systems that continue to suppress Indigenous communities. Robert teaches his readers and his following about Lakota culture and practices, as well has the tragic history of forced assimilation and genocide imposed by the United States. A recent poem of his, ‘Flesh and Bone’, is particularly beautiful. You can find ‘Flesh and Bone’ as well as his other poems at @robertswaneybordeaux on Instagram.

Lastly, we can’t ignore a classic poet. Another example of positive poetry is through writing about the simple things in life. The things that give us joy. The things we often take for granted and don’t pay nearly enough attention to. Mary Oliver does that better than anyone. Last week I went to Waterstones to do a little research on older poets. I wondered: what has made these poets so successful for so long? Amongst the many editions of her poetry on the shelves, Mary Oliver’s second edition of ‘New and Selected Poems’ fell into my hands. On page 25, a line in ‘Oxygen’ stood out to me. It reads:

‘ You are breathing patiently; it is a beautiful sound ‘

It is poetry like this that makes me aware that I am alive, and that life should be lived fully—and there’s nothing more positive than that.

Words by: Grace Caselden Design by: Eszter Gurbicz