Psychology Poetry Snapshots by Intimum

Spyridon Kakos

Abstract: Psychology poetry can transform a person and help us see what we already feel. Through verse, we can explore the Self. Art allows us to express deep feelings that remain unspoken, especially the ones related to the abysmal foundation of our being. There is science backing all this, but the best argument to use poems comes always from within.

Tags: psychology, psychology poetry, poetry, poems, Intimum, Intimum Thoughts

Originally published at Intimum: Psychology Poetry

The problem…

How can someone know thyself?

Why most of us fail in that?

In a world full of knowledge, we have lost connection to who we are.

We tend to analyze everything and develop theories

About psychology, about the Self

And yet we fail to truly understand our inner depth.

In this world full of people.

What makes me unique?

What makes me love you?

(How can I hate me?)

The science

Science eventually caught up with what we knew with our heart.

Psychology has for a long time been friends with poetry. Poetry therapy is a well-known area where the scientific research about the self and artistic expression meets.

Write down on paper something that you feel, and the stress will be relieved. As Pennebaker noticed in 2016, the simple act of expressing your feelings with ink acts as a pressure valve for the soul. (Pennebaker & Smyth, 2016), in what we know to-day as Expressive Writing. The very act of creating art releases the tension we feel inside (Mazza, 2012).

According to other scientists, poetry (and art in general) helps you re-frame your issues and see things from a different perspective – thus allowing you a type of catharsis that is impossible if you keep on sticking to your current viewpoint (Schlegel et al., 2009).

Creative expression (including poetry) serves as a tool for meaning-making in a world where we constantly feel alone and in pain. The symbolism and metaphors used in poetry are especially beneficial towards that end.

Experience yourself

Do not trust the references cited. Do not trust me.

Trust your own senses.

Try it out and check if writing a poem helps you Be.

Get a piece of paper. Write a short poem.

Reveal your most Intimum Thoughts.

Then set the paper on fire and let it burn.

Look at the ashes travel in the air.

The cosmos has listened. And you have reached the unspoken depths you once feared.

That is the power of poetry.

Logos in Silence.

Unspoken feelings.

Words unuttered.

When speaking the unspoken through metaphor, you frame the chaos and try to bring order (Reiter, 1994). Poetry gives you the ability for self-reflection (Zeman et al., 2013) as a trusted companion that follows you through a difficult path. It lets you open up. To speak what you feel without fearing that explanation is needed to someone else. When writing poetry you can truly be yourself.

You.

Me.

The world.

Read.

Write.

Cry.

Fear not.

Fortunately, all things have an end [1]…

(You will smile again!)

~ Powered by Intimum ~

Continue the search for the unspoken at intimum.eu where the Self finds its voice.

References

Mazza, N. (2012). Poetry Therapy: Theory and Practice. Routledge.

Pennebaker, J. W., & Smyth, J. M. (2016). Opening Up by Writing It Down: How Expressive Writing Improves Health and Eases Emotional Pain. Guilford Publications.

Reiter, G. I. (1994). “Writing poetry: A project for the chronically mentally ill.” The Arts in Psychotherapy.

Schlegel, R. J., et al. (2009). “Crativity and the search for meaning.” Journal of Research in Personality.

Zeman, A., et al. (2013). “The emotional power of poetry: Neural circuitry, psychological and aesthetic experience.” Journal of Consciousness Studies.

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[1] Chrysa Zachari, personal communication, 12/2025.

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