Good News Department - Can poetry help you live longer?

I was amazed to see this story on NPR this morning!  Not because I don't believe it, but because I'm a poet myself!  I'm heartened to think that writing and sharing poetry with others will help me have a longer and better life!  Who knew?

But then, of course, it makes plenty of sense ... to me.  And probably to my friends who are also actively writing poetry.

Sadly, school ruined poetry for many people. If this happened to you, fear not!  There are plenty of ways to enjoy poetry these days

I only made one button like this.  But if you want one, please let me know and I'll make them available on this web site!

without a teacher trying to interpret it for you!  Remember, poetry is an art, and as with any art, what you like or don't like is up to you.  If you read or hear a poem that doesn't do anything for you, no problem.  Try something different instead.

And if you want to try your hand at writing some, but don't know where to start, there are plenty of opportunities.  There are thousands of groups and classes and workshops to choose from.  For example, near where I live, there is this series, hosted by an accomplished and published poet, Barbara Helfgott Hyett, designed to help poets improve their poetry and perhaps get them published.  If that isn't your desire, then you might like this organization, or perhaps you might prefer an on-line poetry experience such as at this web site.

​I'd love to know how you do, if you want to tell me (by comments to this blog post or use the Contact Us option to send me a private message).

Here is a sample of what I've written.  This poem will appear in my forthcoming book, "a man wearing a dress," due out later this year.  I encourage you to read this poem out loud, if you can, with gusto!

Driving
©2016, by Glenn C. Koenig

In the driver’s seat
I’m not a gatherer
I’m a hunter!

I have no prey
in mind, mind you

But I will not stand
to be hemmed in.

I want space,
Freedom!
Speed!
To fly along,
to soar!

And that car in front of mine
is foolishly
suffocating me
instead.

I will overtake them
at the next opportunity.

So what if I get there
three minutes
ahead of time.

That’s not the point!

In driving
It’s the journey!
Not the destination.