(left to right) Summer Griffin, Katleyn Frattaroli, and Cicada Hill at work in The Poetry Pharmacy. Provided by Cicada Hill.
Written by: Cicada Hill
Three of Seton Hill University’s English organizatio
ns, Eye Contact (literary & art magazine), Sigma Tau Delta (English honors society), and Narrative 4 (SHU), banded together to organize a four day-long event. From March 24-27 in the Maura Solarium, the three associations hosted a Poetry Pharmacy.
“The Poetry Pharmacy was inspired by a store of the same name in London, England.” Maxwell Reese, a Junior English Education major and member of Eye Contact, stated. What once started as a pop-up shop is now two walk-in Poetry Pharmacies located in England. Kira Bork, a Freshman Graphic and Interactive Design (Animation) major and member of Eye Contact said, “Whoever walked in could get ‘prescribed’ a poem based on what they were feeling.”
“For our event, we put together a collection of poetry that was divided into different emotions like courage, love, and joy.” Reese stated. People who approached the table could choose which emotion they felt they needed so the poem would be relevant to how they were feeling,” Reese continued.
“I really connected with the overall concept of the Poetry Pharmacy, because poetry has always been one of the things I go to when my emotions feel confusing.” Bork expressed.
Katelyn Frattaroli, a Junior English Education major and member of SHU’s Narrative 4, stated, “Words are powerful, […] words inflict emotion on every human being and of course that emotion differs from person to person.” Frattaroli continues, “We wanted students and faculty to connect with their emotions and other human beings through their selected poem.”
“I believe that humans are empathetic, however we, as a society, have been taught to hide our rawness and empathetic outlet, so I think the Poetry Pharmacy allowed everyone to see that it is alright to be vulnerable and empathetic.” Frattaroli stated.
As for the future of holding another Poetry Pharmacy event on Seton Hill’s campus, Reese stated, “I’m super excited to possibly be doing this again in the future! We did such a good job this time, but I think there are ways we can make it even better!”
As for some parting words from our students, Reese stated, “Even if you’re not a big fan of poetry, try to make some time to sit down and read a poem or two. Even better yet, find someone to read it with. You’ll be surprised how powerful poetry is at building connections with people.”
For more information or questions regarding the Poetry Pharmacy, visit the official Poetry Pharmacy website, www.poetrypharmacy.co.uk/.
SHU Organization Contact Information:
Eye Contact: Please visit sites.google.com/setonhill.edu/eyecontact/home or email at eyecontact@setonhill.edu
Sigma Tau Delta: https://www.english.org/
Sigma Tau Delta (SHU): Please email at cusick@setonhill.edu
Narrative 4: https://narrative4.com/
Narrative 4 (SHU): Please email at cusick@setonhill.edu