December Baldwin Wallace University graduate Gianna Somrak '24, a psychology and creative writing double major, was inspired to consider and write about the meaning of happiness in Professor Jen Perry's psychology seminar course.
Think back to your high school English class — the painful, overhead lights, those uncomfortable, plastic chairs and desks, that one kid who never used deodorant after gym class. Your teacher writes a short poem on the board, then asks the question you and your classmates have been dreading all week: "What does this mean?"
How many of us have been victimized by the intricate language of Shakespeare, the bizarre line work of Cummings, or the ambiguous motifs of Dickinson? We're taught to tear poetry apart until its true intentions are lost somewhere among technical jargon and cryptic symbolism. Reading poetry for fun often becomes intimidating, too scholarly, and downright impossible.
If we can't understand what the poet is trying to say, what's the point of reading a poem at all?
A better way
I wondered this until I went off to college at Baldwin Wallace University, where my poetry workshop professor told me to consider this instead: "Do not ask what a poem means. Ask what it makes you feel."
My opinion completely shifted. No longer shackled by the need to explain or understand, I could read a poem and take it for what it was. As I read, I fell more in love with poetry as a literary genre.
I noticed other shifts, too. I was paying more attention to my surroundings throughout my daily life and appreciating the beauty of everyday experiences. Among these processes, I was discovering more about myself.
Savoring the moment
Recently, I learned that positive psychologists term this as the concept of savoring. According to research by Fred B. Bryant and Joseph Veroff, to savor, one must actively perceive and engage with positive emotions felt on a moment-to-moment basis. In savoring more, we increase feelings of happiness and strengthen general well-being.
You've likely heard the saying — "savor the moment" — a handful of times. It sounds easy enough, so why don't more people engage in this process?
Like everything else, savoring takes work. You must connect yourself to the present moment, which may involve putting down your phone and ignoring other daily distractions, and willingly reflect on your current thoughts and feelings.
Reading poetry offers a chance to practice these skills and refine the art of savoring. In exploring the perspectives and experiences of others, we build appreciation for our own experiences and learn to look for the small moments that bring us joy and contentment.
Nurturing gratitude
Savoring also enhances our capacity for gratitude and mindfulness. Many recent studies have shown that individuals who consistently engage in activities involving gratitude or mindfulness, such as journaling, meditation, or nature walks, tend to lead more positive, meaningful and healthy lifestyles.
In my experience, reading poetry allows you to savor the quiet wonders that we often take for granted. It encourages you to feel grateful to be alive and to be mindful of how far you have come in life.
In a society often filled with negativity, having these moments of appreciation is essential to our well-being as individuals. So, next time you pick up Shakespeare or Cummings or Dickinson, remember to savor.
A version of this column first appeared on cleveland.com and in all SUN Newspapers.
