Celebrating World Poetry Day
At New Leaf Recovery and Wellbeing College, we believe in the transformative power of words — how they can heal, empower, and uplift. As we celebrate World Poetry Day, we’re reflecting on the benefits that creative and expressive writing can bring, especially for those looking to improve their mental wellbeing.
The Healing Power of Words
Writing poetry and expressing ourselves creatively through words can be an invaluable tool for managing mental health. Whether capturing emotions on paper, processing difficult experiences, or simply letting thoughts flow without judgment, writing provides a safe space to explore our feelings.
Through our Writing for Self-Expression and Writing Creatively for Wellbeing courses, students have discovered how putting pen to paper can bring clarity, calm, and connection. Creative writing allows us to step back from stress and channel our thoughts into something tangible — something we can reflect on and grow from.
Student Voices: Poetry from the Heart
We are thrilled to present a collection of eight powerful and heartfelt student poems in celebration of World Poetry Day. Each poem uniquely reflects personal journeys, emotions, and growth — demonstrating how words can heal, inspire, and transform. Dive into these beautiful pieces and feel the passion and resilience behind every line.
Try writing for yourself
Through sharing and creating, we build a community that feels heard and supported. Celebrate World Poetry Day with us by giving yourself the gift of self-expression. Let your words be a source of strength, healing, and joy.
Example Activity: Find a line in one of the poems below that resonates with you and use that as a prompt. Alternatively, start with 'I wish....' or 'I will....' or I like...'
If you've been inspired and would like to share your work or see it in our future blogs and newsletters, feel free to share your poems by emailing Alison at newleaf.wellbeingcollege@nhs.net.
Happy World Poetry Day!
Student Poems
Soothe the soul
- By Daniella
Words, like whispers on the breeze,
Can soothe the soul, bring inner ease.
In darkest times, a guiding light,
To banish shadows, make things bright.
They mend the heart, where wounds reside,
With gentle touch, they gently guide.
Empowering strength, a voice so clear,
To conquer fears, and quell all fear.
In power of healing, words take flight,
A treasure shining, ever bright.
Through stormy seas, a steady hand,
To help you rise, and understand.
They build resilience, day by day,
To find your voice, and light the way.
With every verse, a chance to grow,
To nurture hope, and help you know.
So let the words begin to bloom,
To lift you up, and chase the gloom.
In every phrase, a chance to rise,
To heal your spirit, and reach the skies.
Sea Air
- By Nina
Living in this idyllic place by this
brilliant sea, I'm in a bay but not going to complain
I can travel not very far, a lovely journey on a bus, getting to the wider sea
It's more rocky there, more foam and space
treading out onto the sand, seagulls, stones no more land
A distance from people, houses,
Just sounds crashes, waves and air
Wind noise dispelling fear, negativity what is that?
Voices, fear are gone just a seagull flying high, breathing in gusts of air, Relief again, joy, a sigh
HEADSPACE
- By Alice
Hope
Exhale slowly
Allowing emotions
Distance from the worries
Space to be
Power for resilience
Attention to breath
Confidence to focus
Engaging the moment
Bright
- By Tom
Be not too hard, for life is brief.
A fleeting wind, a falling leaf.
The mountain stone, though strong, will break,
when trembling earth begins to quake
Be not too hard, for the sun must set
A gentle heart bears no regret.
In every shadow, find the light,
for life is short, but it can be bright.
First
- By Janet
Awake
But not conscious
Still sleepy
Slow.
Arousing the pervading somnolence
Eyes awakened
Brain on
The first sip of coffee
Jigsaw Pieces
- By Dawn
Look at the picture on the front of the box
See how the pieces all interlock
What do you do, when you can’t make them fit
Even one at a time, bit by bit
What if the picture just doesn’t make sense
Even after hours n hours, on this puzzle you’ve spent
So, do you give up, and just walk away
Put it all back in the box, and try again another day?
The picture on the box will still be the same
And the struggle to complete it, will always remain
But, if you start with the corners, there’s only 4 of these
Then work on the border, the straight edges will fit with ease
So, now you’ve a foundation, a frame to work from
This will always be there, even if the middle bit goes wrong
The rest of the pieces, may just seem like a jumbled pile
So, sort them into smaller groups, this may take a while
If you follow this process, you will probably find
Parts of the picture will begin, to make sense in your mind
Each jigsaw piece is no good when on it’s own
They need to be put together, for the whole picture to be shown
If I were
- By Tilly
If I were a bird,
I’d soar high,
Singing as I crossed the world —
Bringing songs to every corner,
To every ear and every heart.
If I were a mountain,
I’d rise taller each day,
Reaching beyond the clouds
To brush the sun,
And greet the moon with quiet pride.
If I were the wind,
I’d sweep away the cobwebs,
Scatter the fog,
And lift people to the heavens —
Where their spirits could dance among the stars.
If I were a heart,
I’d beat with joy,
Beat with love,
And remind every soul to love each other.
But most of all,
I’d beat for me —
For the beauty of being myself,
And the thrill of simply being alive.
This is enough
to keep me going.
I wish
- By Joan
I wish to be seen
Whilst I still hide
I wish to run
Whilst I still fight
I wish to be sensitive
Whilst staying strong
I wish to stop playing
Whilst playing along
I wish to unlearn
Whilst I still discover
I wish to let go
Whilst I recover
I wish to be angry
Whilst I want this less
But ultimately, I wish to be happy
And I wish for the best.
My shelter, my strength, love by my side
- By Amanda
My home, a haven, a space I create,
Each corner is shaped by love, not fate.
Through effort and care, it starts to bloom,
A sanctuary in every room.
The gym, a journey of steady strides,
Where strength is built, and doubt subsides.
Each week, I climb a little higher,
Muscle fed by quiet fire.
And by my side, supportive friends
A strong love that never ends.
Their words, a light when shadows fall,
Their presence, the greatest gift of all.
Three good things, my anchor, my guide,
My shelter, my strength, love by my side.
In these, I find my heart's delight,
A world made brighter, day and night.
Making it mine
- By Martin
As I watch
the world go by,
I dream of soaring
through the sky,
Craving more
than just a role,
A life that's vibrant,
wild, and whole.
Through highs and lows,
I’ve come to see,
The past still lingers
within me.
But deep inside,
a fire remains -
A light that guides me
through the pain.
The forests, mountains,
and the sea,
their beauty still speaks loud to me.
No longer dreaming,
now it’s time -
I’ll take my precious life
and make it mine.