dumbfoundry

Depression is a disaster in rural Australia says Tim. People are turning to simple mediums, simple ways to express feelings and to "places where you can express yourself without judgement."

All the arts work as tools for expression, says Tim and poetry is not special here. But poetry is one of the basic human instincts, he contends. Think of the important milestones in existence - birth, wedding, death. At these times, people write poems.

For the Navajo people of America, poetry is one of their most powerful healing tools. The poetry techniques of chants and recitation are used to retell stories of those who have become chronically ill. “This is a fascinating concept,” says Tim, "a retelling of someone's life in order to heal them.

Tim Metcalf is a therapist but first and foremost, he's a poet. As a member of the Fellowship of Australian Writers, he loves the Poets in the Pub readings down on the south coast. Friends of the Bega Library raise funds and have bought poetry books for the library. As well Tim advises them on their collection.

Another exciting initiative by the library is the establishment of the local history collection. Gradually, the music of all locals who have made recordings will be collected and made available to the public. This is something of a first, Tim thinks.

As a doctor, Tim Metcalf sees suffering and he sees anguish. "Poetry can reduce the epidemic of stress and depression," he believes. "We are seeing it happen."

This entry was posted by Ivy on Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 1:58 PM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.