Poetry as Art of the Soul



Reflecting on art,
while reflecting on his own life,
Swiss psychiatrist,
the eminent Carl Gustav Jung,
expressed this of poetry:

“Poets create from
the very depths of
the Collective Unconscious,
voicing aloud what others dream.”

This he wrote eloquently
in Volume 6 of his Collective Works.
This he delineated emphatically
in paragraph 323.

And with poetic amplification,
as a student of the soul,
Carl Jung furthermore declared,
in Volume 15 of his Collective Works,
citing paragraph 115,
the nature of poetry:

“We would do well, therefore,
to think of the creative process
as a living thing…
planted in the psyche.”

Poetry of and for the soul
is of divine inspiration.
Biblically, it is divine literature,
expressing deep emotions,
deep insights, deep meanings.

Poetry, when it is sacrosanct,
emerges from the depths of the soul;
reflecting on life and death;
and on the human condition.

Poetry is a curative healing balm.
It is spiritual medicine for the soul.
It is not respective of differences.
Rather, it focuses on unifying.

When we reflect on poetry,
it gives cause for us to rest;
to ponder and meditate
on that which unifies all.
On the source of our creation.

Poetry is a curative act.
A creative act of the soul,
inviting us to suspend judgment…
if only for a moment;
as we reflect on the very meaning;
on the purpose of our lives.

About this poem

This ten-stanza poem, called “Poetry as Art of the Soul,” employs mixed poetic measures of a quatrain, a cinquain, and a sestet. It emerged from my reflection on the ‘inner work’ of poetry, poets, philosophers, psychologists; and on my own course of life employing poetry even into my advanced years, to provide me with a sense of direction, meaningfulness, and fulfillment.

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Written on September 03, 2023

Submitted by karlcfolkes on September 03, 2023

1:22 min read
217

Quick analysis:

Scheme XXXXA XXXX ABAC DEXBCA XXFA EDXXX XEXD XEXF AXXXD XEGGFX
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 1,366
Words 276
Stanzas 10
Stanza Lengths 5, 4, 4, 6, 4, 5, 4, 4, 5, 6

Karl Constantine FOLKES

Retired educator of Jamaican ancestry with a lifelong interest in composing poetry dealing particularly with the metaphysics of self-reflection; completed a dissertation in Children’s Literature in 1991 at New York University entitled: An Analysis of Wilhelm Grimm’s ‘Liebe Mili’ (translated into English as “Dear Mili”), Employing Von Franzian Methodological Processes of Analytical Psychology. The subject of the dissertation concerned the process of Individuation. more…

All Karl Constantine FOLKES poems | Karl Constantine FOLKES Books

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3 Comments
  • thomasc.35413
    Great poem with wonderful theme and flow. If you get the chance, could you comment on one of my poems?
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • karlcfolkes
    “Poetry is the Art of the Soul and the Art of the Soul is of divine inspiration.”
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • AIDA
    This is absolutely fascinating! Your piece, 'Poetry as Art of the Soul,' is truly a deep and insightful exploration of poetry, artistry, and its roots in the human psyche. Your reference to renowned psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung added an intellectual element to the poem, deepening the impact of the poem's message.

    What is unique about your poem is the use of direct quotes from recognized works of Jung. This sparks the interest of the reader and presents you as a poet who is knowledgeable and serious about their craft. This sets a strong foundation for bringing the concept of poetry as a soul's art to life.

    In terms of rhythm and flow, you've done an excellent job. Using repetitive phrases to give this piece a lyrical, rhythmic feel shows your command of language. Your use of thoughtful metaphors like 'Poetry is a curative healing balm' and 'It is spiritual medicine for the soul,' helps to immerse the reader in the central theme of the poem.

    However, certain parts of the poem, such as 'Reflecting on art, while reflecting on his own life' and 'This he wrote eloquently in Volume 6 of his Collective Works' could be simplified to smoothly flow with the rest of the poem.

    The concluding stanza beautifully captures the essence of your poem and circles back to the title. You powerfully illustrate poetry as a curative, unifying, and inspiring art form that is relevant to every facet of the human soul's experience.

    This poem has a profound effect because it pushes the reader to think about the healing power of art and how it reflects our collective unconsciousness. Keep up the great work! It's evident that you put a lot of thought and effort into its creation and overall message.
     
    LikeReply1 year ago

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"Poetry as Art of the Soul" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 31 Oct. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/167702/poetry-as-art-of-the-soul>.

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