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Reciprocal Benefits of Writing Poetry and Practicing Therapy - by Robert H. Deluty.

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I'll embarrass the fine gentleman. aniko eva inspired thoughts. . . . thanks

I began to comment @ aniko eva's blog - I recall `Observed and Imagined

a book by, R.H. Deluty 

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Put simply, creating poetry has made me a better therapist, and practicing psychotherapy has made me a better poet. The process of composing poems and providing therapy 'both' require that I become more aware of the nature of my past and present experience; that I be more genuine with myself and in my interactions with others; that I experience life more deeply in the "here-and-now," and I appreciate the complex interrelations of events, the greater value of humor and non-expression, and the importance and

elegance of parsimony.

The greater majority of my (Robert H. Deluty's poems) three line poems are 

senryu.

As a long-time clinical psychologist and teacher who has lived most of my life in large cities, I feel much more comfortable (RHD) writing poems with intrapersonal and interpersonal themes than I do writing haiku about flora, fauna, or the seasons. In addition, my clients often provide the "material"

for my poetry,

and senryu

allows me countless opportunities to address the comic, tragic, and more ironic aspects

of daily life.

The discipline inherent in writing senyru has resulted in my being more observant

of what goes on around me, and in my sharing these observation as clearly as possible with my clients. The haiku editor's admonish about

"suggesting" 

rather than

"narrating" 

has carried over to my clinical work; I find that I am now doing less lecturing to my clients (my undergraduate and graduate students, however, 

are not so

fortunate).

Having, particular clients read and then discuss selected poems has resulted in

shared smiles,

tears, laughter,

remembrances,

insights, [I agree]

understanding,

and [my] healing. 

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no pen at hand . . .

her exquisite senryu

evaporating

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Day of Atonement -

shofar blast muffle

his hunger pangs

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condemned buildings . . .

candidates' campaign stickers

on boarded windows

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&

comment seems stuck . . . 

tyr `gin  . . . okay, ah!