The Poetry Pharmacy heals the heart

Published on 31 January 2025

The Poetry Pharmacy heals the heart,

Each word a tonic, each line a spark,

No pills or potions, just words to mend,

Verses to soothe, restore and transcend,

A remedy woven in rhythm and rhyme,

A dose of art, a touch of the sublime.

A new kind of pharmacy has arrived - one that prescribes poetry instead of pills as medicine for the soul.

The Poetry Pharmacy is coming to Kiama Farmers’ Markets on Wednesday 12 February, offering personalised poems to soothe the mind, lift the spirit, and inspire the heart. Just in time for Valentines Day - or Library Lovers’ Day, as it’s known as in the library world.

Share your sentiment or ailment—be it love, heartbreak, homesickness, or a touch of wanderlust— with local poet, writer and filmmaker Butch Schwarzkopf. Butch will prescribe a personalised poem just for you, or compose a poetry gift for someone special in your life.

"Poetry has always been a way to make sense of the world," said Cultural Development Officer Carmelina Nunnari.

"We believe words have the power to mend, to uplift, and to connect us to one another."

The Poetry Pharmacy is a free service brought to you by Kiama Library.

The poems come with no adverse side effects—except the joy of having a personalised verse to treasure forever.

Kiama Library will also have a pop-up market stall alongside the Poetry Pharmacy, offering bookish gifts with a Valentines Day twist - library bags, mystery books, gift packs, bookmarks, and more - and a fun free craft activity for kids, too.