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Norman Rosenthal

Welcome to Poetry Rx

Dr. Norman Rosenthal, is the world renowned researcher who coined the term Seasonal Affective Disorder and pioneered the use of light therapy for its treatment. He is a best-selling author and has an active psychiatry and coaching practice. Dr. Rosenthal is now suggesting the use of POETRY as a means of healing, inspiring and bringing joy to your life.

Welcome to my new web-based initiative about poetry and healing. Many people find poetry delightful, interesting and thought-provoking — and I hope the poems I include will evoke all of those responses – but in this venture I plan to go further. In my personal and professional experience, poetry also has the power to comfort, soothe, inspire and, yes, even heal. In addition, poetry can act as a lens through which we can gaze into the parallel processes of mind and brain and experience treasures that might otherwise be entirely hidden.

Click here to explore Poetry Rx in the news

I used to believe that poetry did not “speak” to me, but I now see how wrong I was. I lived for 44 years with a husband, a lyricist, whose beautifully crafted, heartfelt lyrics touched my every fiber and continue to uplift and inspire me a decade after his death. The special beauty of Dr. Rosenthal’s book for me is his discussion of what each poem is saying, what the poet was likely feeling and often how the poems helped him personally, as when he left his birth family in South Africa for a rewarding career in the United States.
- Jane Brody, Author & New York Times Columnist

POETRY RX: How 50 inspiring poems can heal & bring joy to your life

A word from Dr. Rosenthal about Poetry Rx

Latest Poetry Rx Articles

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Welsh Poet, Gillian Clarke Contributes to Poetry Rx | Includes Ch. 16

I was delighted to wake up this morning to an email from Welsh poet, Gillian Clarke, whose poem “Miracle on St. David’s Day” is the...
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Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening | Analysis, Meaning, & Summary

It was a scenario that every psychiatrist has learned to dread. You are in an office with somebody who is telling you that he or...
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Poetry-Rx

🚂 Poetry Rx: The Little Publisher That Could

Dear Friends,   I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch for a while but I’d like to fill you in on what’s been going on....
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Sunrise

Love After Love by Derek Walcott: Reading & Commentary

In my new book Poetry Rx: How 50 Inspiring Poems Can Heal and Bring Joy to Your Life, I have included each poem for a...
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Poetry Rx in USA TODAY

Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D., and his new book Poetry Rx: How 50 Inspiring Poems Can Heal and Bring Joy to Your Life were featured...
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Poetry Rx Press Coverage

Poetry Rx In The News Contact Dr. Norman Rosenthal You can reach Dr. Rosenthal with press inquiries through his Contact Page here. Please use “Press...
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Forest

Stopping by Woods by Robert Frost | How the Poet Achieves His Effect

Updated June 15, 2021 This poem is fascinating to me. It appears to be a simple poem, but actually, the rhyme scheme is very sophisticated....
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Poetry Rx Featured In The New York Times

When I first approached Ms. Brody about my latest project, she was skeptical and told me that she did not relate to poetry. To her...
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Daffodils

Daffodils By William Wordsworth | Reading, Commentary & More!

In my book Poetry Rx, I have two chapters dedicated to the great William Wordsworth and his works. The two Wordsworth poems that I selected...
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Based on a strong response to the Poetry Rx initiative I have decided to create a Facebook Group to build a community around poetry and healing. This is a safe space where students, seekers, poets, and poetry lovers can come together to ask questions, post/talk about poetry—its therapeutic value—AND simply have fun!

The Poetry Rx Facebook Group is a closed group, so please click Poetry Rx Facebook Group, and select the + Join Group button.

Please allow some time for our team to accept your request to join the Poetry Rx Facebook group.

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Testimonials

I predict that Poetry Rx will make good on the promise of its subtitle for a broad range of readers seeking renewal and inspiration through the art of poetry. It is also a great read, entertaining as it teaches. These are, after all, poems the doctor ordered. But what a doctor! And what poems!
- Peter Sacks, Harvard University. (Professor of English, Harvard)
Reading Poetry Rx allowed me not only to enjoy poetry for the first time, but to be transformed by it.
- Katie Finneran, Two-time Tony Award Winning Actress