Background
Not quite 60 years ago, in a house that was not a home, and my mind was dark with misery and hopelessness, and hormones raged, I was close to breaking. Homicidal fantasies were becoming a constant and they felt like “freedom”.
It was lucky that guns and even drugs were less available than today. Sadly, mental health was not a “thing” either. And education was a rote series of facts to be known and not questioned.
Running a broken path in the dark the whips get harder and the carrot gets smaller.
The Scene
I walked in the front door, closed my eyes hard against the madness, and gave a small thanks that I was alone.
Some sense or coincidence or heavenly guide turned my attention to my Dad’s bookshelf and I saw the old volume of Leaves of Grass. I opened it and read…
"I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
I loafe and invite my soul,
I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass." (section 1)
(These are but a few of the stanzas collected at Americanliturature.com)
The words found in this poem changed me- I sobbed. I felt feverish. I knew that I was not alone in the universe. Such is the magic of poetry.
There were more poems here and then more books of poetry from the library (pre-internet days).
I have written, sometimes dabbled with, poetry ever since. It has opened many ways of seeing the world. It has inspired, comforted, and excited my mind and soul.
A final note: Poetry has proven healing powers for the mind, body, and spirit. Search: Poetry Therapy, Prison Poetry, and Healing Poetry for information