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The Poetry Pharmacy Forever: New Prescriptions to Soothe, Revive and Inspire
The world has reopened and so has the Poetry the powerful final instalment in the hugely beloved series
After the tumult of the last years, William Sieghart is back to prescribe the perfect poem for a variety of life's ailments, offering hope and comfort to readers in need. Here, he draws on the emails he received from the public during multiple lockdowns, as well as tried-and-true classics from his in-person pharmacies, to create an essential anthology of poetry for our times. Through his expert curation and insightful commentary, he reminds us of the power of words to help us heal, to reconnect us with the world and to recover what has been lost.
From weathering sorrow and sudden loss, to dealing with environmental despair and burnout, this new selection speaks directly to a society in urgent need of comfort and compassion. Whether you're searching for guidance, hope, or simply a moment of beauty, The Poetry Pharmacy Forever is here to provide solace, joy and inspiration, one verse at a time.
After the tumult of the last years, William Sieghart is back to prescribe the perfect poem for a variety of life's ailments, offering hope and comfort to readers in need. Here, he draws on the emails he received from the public during multiple lockdowns, as well as tried-and-true classics from his in-person pharmacies, to create an essential anthology of poetry for our times. Through his expert curation and insightful commentary, he reminds us of the power of words to help us heal, to reconnect us with the world and to recover what has been lost.
From weathering sorrow and sudden loss, to dealing with environmental despair and burnout, this new selection speaks directly to a society in urgent need of comfort and compassion. Whether you're searching for guidance, hope, or simply a moment of beauty, The Poetry Pharmacy Forever is here to provide solace, joy and inspiration, one verse at a time.
- GenresPoetry
150 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2023
39 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 3, 2024
Every book in the Poetry Pharmacy series is great. I am so glad somebody introduced me to them. The poems are accessible and Sieghart's wisdom is most welcome in an ever-maddening world.
I missed the bookmarker in this version as the other two had them, but that's a minor issue.
I missed the bookmarker in this version as the other two had them, but that's a minor issue.
July 13, 2025
Absolutely fantastic. In the words of others, “A balm for the soul”, “poetry helps the body to cure itself”, “poems help you feel you are not mad”. In my words, soothing, inspiring, easing, energizing, intellectually stimulating, wisdom promoting, creativity expanding, acceptance bolstering, wonderful.
March 7, 2024
Through William Sieghart’s The Poetry Pharmacy Forever, I’ve found my new favourite poem (Being Boring by Wendy Cope). Overall, it’s a lovely collection. Not pretentious in any way, but rather soft and soothing. (Thank you Sarah, for gifting me this book on my birthday!)
August 13, 2025
I think this is an incredible poetry collection and I find that I absolutely love William Sieghart's commentary.
I find this poetry collection truly medicinal in the most caring ways and William's words poignant.
I would undeniably recommend it.
I find this poetry collection truly medicinal in the most caring ways and William's words poignant.
I would undeniably recommend it.
November 6, 2024
The pharmacy trilogy is one of my favourite ever poetry collections ... Everyone should be prescribed it.
8/10
8/10
November 20, 2024
Always wonderful
March 20, 2024
I can’t think of a single reason to not give this 5 stars. I don’t know if I’m blinded my excitement when I stumbled upon this third instalment that I didn’t know even existed, while on a trip abroad, visiting my favourite bookshop ever. I like to think I’m better than that but I’m likely not. Anyway, William Sieghart is not just a pharmacist but a therapist and a wordsmith. Annotating was basically pointless for me because I loved almost every poem in this collection and his “prescription” or interpretation of every poem. Do you have a friend who wants to get into poetry but feels intimidated? Or are you that friend? Get this book. Need some words of encouragement for a loved one going through hardship? Read this one. Don’t be surprised if I’ll be handing these out until I’m 90 and can’t even read anymore myself.
December 28, 2024
Gorgeous proof - yet again - that words are healing. I love every book in this trilogy because the premise is just so beautiful. Sieghart’s prescription pieces are poetry in themselves, too. Will return to these books again & again.
November 23, 2023
I received this book from the publisher via Reading Groups for All in return for an honest review.
I do not usually go out of my way to read poetry - my English Lit degree and subsequent teaching experience made poetry a chore - but I was intrigued by the concept behind this book: poems chosen to help the reader find relief from problems in their lives. I was not too sure what to expect, but on unwrapping the book, I could not wait to start reading. The cloth-bound hardback is a thing of beauty; very tactile, perfectly proportioned, great typography (as if it were an 18th-century Herbal), and bright pink. It is not a flouncy ephemeral pink but a vibrant pink that instantly makes you smile and pick it up, promising reading pleasure.
I’m happy to say that reading the book is indeed a delight. There is a short introduction and a history of the project - this is the third and final book in the series. William Sieghart believes that there is an even greater need for poetry now: to heal our souls and help us deal with the impact of COVID on our lives. We’re more than ever aware of the importance of looking after our mental health, and I think reading this book is the perfect way to reflect and regroup. It also comes with his recommendations on reading the poems. I particularly liked his insistence on re-reading and re-visiting poems at different times and seeing how our understanding and responses change.
There are many ways to read this book. You can read it from start to finish or flick through it and find a problem or issue that matches your own mood. What makes this poetry collection unique is that each specially chosen poem follows Sieghart’s own advice on a topic. They are beautifully presented; Sieghart’s words on the left-hand side and the poems on the right. The book is perfect for dipping into or having a mindful minute of contemplation - many of them would be ideal starting points for some mindful meditation, Louise Gluck’s The Undertaking being a perfect example.
It is the perfect gift in these stressful times - a treat for yourself or your loved ones.
I do not usually go out of my way to read poetry - my English Lit degree and subsequent teaching experience made poetry a chore - but I was intrigued by the concept behind this book: poems chosen to help the reader find relief from problems in their lives. I was not too sure what to expect, but on unwrapping the book, I could not wait to start reading. The cloth-bound hardback is a thing of beauty; very tactile, perfectly proportioned, great typography (as if it were an 18th-century Herbal), and bright pink. It is not a flouncy ephemeral pink but a vibrant pink that instantly makes you smile and pick it up, promising reading pleasure.
I’m happy to say that reading the book is indeed a delight. There is a short introduction and a history of the project - this is the third and final book in the series. William Sieghart believes that there is an even greater need for poetry now: to heal our souls and help us deal with the impact of COVID on our lives. We’re more than ever aware of the importance of looking after our mental health, and I think reading this book is the perfect way to reflect and regroup. It also comes with his recommendations on reading the poems. I particularly liked his insistence on re-reading and re-visiting poems at different times and seeing how our understanding and responses change.
There are many ways to read this book. You can read it from start to finish or flick through it and find a problem or issue that matches your own mood. What makes this poetry collection unique is that each specially chosen poem follows Sieghart’s own advice on a topic. They are beautifully presented; Sieghart’s words on the left-hand side and the poems on the right. The book is perfect for dipping into or having a mindful minute of contemplation - many of them would be ideal starting points for some mindful meditation, Louise Gluck’s The Undertaking being a perfect example.
It is the perfect gift in these stressful times - a treat for yourself or your loved ones.
November 20, 2023
Thank you to the publisher for sending copies of this book for our reading group.
I hadn't come across any of the previous poetry pharmacy collections, and I found this to be a charming idea and an interesting addition to my reading pile. Offering poems "prescribed" for specific times in life, such as grief, moving apart, or great escapes, there's a commentary accompanying each poem to give further insight.
I really enjoyed the look and feel of this book. The textured, old fashioned cover gives it weight and a tactile appeal, the design of the front cover is comforting and evokes classics, but the shocking pink colour is warming and modern. I'm a sucker for a good book cover, and you'd better believe I judge.
The poems themselves are well chosen and nicely curated. I enjoyed the accompanying notes and overall felt they added to the impact of the poetry. I'd read some of the poems included before, but having a new perspective to read gave them a new aspect for me and I really like that. I haven't read them all yet, I'd dipped in and out and I think I'll carry on dipping. In fact I may invest in the other prescription collections to further my dipping options. I've been inspired to recommend some of the poems to others, which is one of the points of such a collection I'm sure.
Recommended!
I hadn't come across any of the previous poetry pharmacy collections, and I found this to be a charming idea and an interesting addition to my reading pile. Offering poems "prescribed" for specific times in life, such as grief, moving apart, or great escapes, there's a commentary accompanying each poem to give further insight.
I really enjoyed the look and feel of this book. The textured, old fashioned cover gives it weight and a tactile appeal, the design of the front cover is comforting and evokes classics, but the shocking pink colour is warming and modern. I'm a sucker for a good book cover, and you'd better believe I judge.
The poems themselves are well chosen and nicely curated. I enjoyed the accompanying notes and overall felt they added to the impact of the poetry. I'd read some of the poems included before, but having a new perspective to read gave them a new aspect for me and I really like that. I haven't read them all yet, I'd dipped in and out and I think I'll carry on dipping. In fact I may invest in the other prescription collections to further my dipping options. I've been inspired to recommend some of the poems to others, which is one of the points of such a collection I'm sure.
Recommended!
July 20, 2024
Poetry can be a very soothing read when your psyche is damaged or your life is a bit adrift. But where to start? And how to find the best poems for your current mood? That’s where William Sieghart’s The Poetry Pharmacy Forever comes in. It’s the latest in the great series which groups poems by the theme they might help you with ~ we have loneliness, anxiety, self esteem etc.,
Mr Sieghart is very good at ‘hand holding’ through poetry’s complexities so you can find its universal message. Several of my favourite poems/poets are here (including the brilliant Being Boring by Wendy Cope and a favourite by WB Yeats) but for me the joy of the books is discovering new poets. I’m currently researching Danusha Laméris and Sheenagh Pugh.
Tony Harrison’s poem about the death of his parents is heartbreakingly beautiful…
…believe life ends with death, and that is all. You haven’t both gone shopping; just the same, in my new black leather phone book there’s your name and the disconnected number I still call…
I could quote from six or seven poems which really resonated with me, but better you read it and see what resonates with you. An excellent gift for a person of any age but would be ideal for a young person who’s a bit lost. They’ll realise that others have felt that way too, and it’s reassuring.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.
Mr Sieghart is very good at ‘hand holding’ through poetry’s complexities so you can find its universal message. Several of my favourite poems/poets are here (including the brilliant Being Boring by Wendy Cope and a favourite by WB Yeats) but for me the joy of the books is discovering new poets. I’m currently researching Danusha Laméris and Sheenagh Pugh.
Tony Harrison’s poem about the death of his parents is heartbreakingly beautiful…
…believe life ends with death, and that is all. You haven’t both gone shopping; just the same, in my new black leather phone book there’s your name and the disconnected number I still call…
I could quote from six or seven poems which really resonated with me, but better you read it and see what resonates with you. An excellent gift for a person of any age but would be ideal for a young person who’s a bit lost. They’ll realise that others have felt that way too, and it’s reassuring.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.
September 18, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review.
Having read the first Poetry Pharmacy collection, returning to Sieghart's style was comforting, knowing that Sieghart wields a great knowledge of poetry. This said, this collection lacks the novelty of the first and relies much more, this time, on Sieghart's often repetitive prescriptions than a wide array of poetry. Many poems chosen are often shared, anthologised and well-known, and while I appreciate this means they are popular and resonate, it did feel disappointing that so much of this collection seemed a rehash of previous collections seeking to do the same thing as Sieghart does with his pharmacy.
The prescriptions this time were long-winded too - focusing more on Sieghart espousing upon the 'ailment' rather than economically 'prescribing' the poem which follows. It simply felt like sitting more in the negative than in the hope, promise and joy of poetry, an experience I certainly felt when reading the first Poetry Pharmacy collection.
I have no doubt, however, many will still find a collection like this a good read to dip into, a lovely gift, and for newbies to poetry, it is a great first collection.
Having read the first Poetry Pharmacy collection, returning to Sieghart's style was comforting, knowing that Sieghart wields a great knowledge of poetry. This said, this collection lacks the novelty of the first and relies much more, this time, on Sieghart's often repetitive prescriptions than a wide array of poetry. Many poems chosen are often shared, anthologised and well-known, and while I appreciate this means they are popular and resonate, it did feel disappointing that so much of this collection seemed a rehash of previous collections seeking to do the same thing as Sieghart does with his pharmacy.
The prescriptions this time were long-winded too - focusing more on Sieghart espousing upon the 'ailment' rather than economically 'prescribing' the poem which follows. It simply felt like sitting more in the negative than in the hope, promise and joy of poetry, an experience I certainly felt when reading the first Poetry Pharmacy collection.
I have no doubt, however, many will still find a collection like this a good read to dip into, a lovely gift, and for newbies to poetry, it is a great first collection.
February 18, 2024
I thought the idea of the book was really great and quite liked the execution of it.
The prescription texts that introduced the subject of each poem were entertaining and gave great insight into the topic of the following poem each time. There was a good range of poems selected, so even though not all were exactly to my taste, I found some that I liked very much and did not know before.
I especially enjoyed "Long Distance II" by Toni Harrison which was very fittingly prescribed for "Grieving Differently", "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley for the "Need To Take Control" as well as "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" by W. B. Yeats for the "Need For Escape".
The prescription texts that introduced the subject of each poem were entertaining and gave great insight into the topic of the following poem each time. There was a good range of poems selected, so even though not all were exactly to my taste, I found some that I liked very much and did not know before.
I especially enjoyed "Long Distance II" by Toni Harrison which was very fittingly prescribed for "Grieving Differently", "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley for the "Need To Take Control" as well as "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" by W. B. Yeats for the "Need For Escape".
October 3, 2023
** A copy of The Poetry Pharmacy Forever was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **
I'm a big fan of William Sieghart and The Poetry Pharmacy. Their posts during the initial months of the COVID pandemic re-ignited my love of poetry, so I look at these books with fondness. The third instalment follows the same style and relies on Sieghart's great knowledge of poetry. I will come back to some of these poems again and again, and continue to gift the books to loved ones. My biggest criticism though is that the poems could be more diverse and inclusive.
I'm a big fan of William Sieghart and The Poetry Pharmacy. Their posts during the initial months of the COVID pandemic re-ignited my love of poetry, so I look at these books with fondness. The third instalment follows the same style and relies on Sieghart's great knowledge of poetry. I will come back to some of these poems again and again, and continue to gift the books to loved ones. My biggest criticism though is that the poems could be more diverse and inclusive.
December 25, 2024
This is the third in a series of books. The author selects poems that provide solace to people afflicted with different problems of life. The selection is excellent and the author's introduction to each poem is, at times, better than the poem itself. The introduction and the poem make for a excellent daily dose of optimism. I have been reading a poem a day for the past couple of months and I am going to miss this daily dose now. Let's hope Sieghart comes up with a fourth volume now.
August 28, 2025
Another beautiful addition to The Poetry Pharmacy Collection. This edition deals with community and relationships, grief, hope, and escape.
Though I don't always enjoy shorter poems, I particularly enjoyed "Today My Horoscope Read", which was prescribed for Loneliness, Hopelessness, Low Self-Esteem, and Self-Isolation:
Today My Horoscope Read
You are the alchemist
of your loneliness.
You can create anything
in its place.
(Warsan Shire)
Though I don't always enjoy shorter poems, I particularly enjoyed "Today My Horoscope Read", which was prescribed for Loneliness, Hopelessness, Low Self-Esteem, and Self-Isolation:
Today My Horoscope Read
You are the alchemist
of your loneliness.
You can create anything
in its place.
(Warsan Shire)
November 27, 2023
A beautiful collection of poetry with a little about each of them, grouped into how they make you feel. Some new to me, some old favourites, some half remembered, some uplifting and some to make you think.
March 10, 2024
Think this is my favourite of the 3 books. Lots of helpful poems and relaxing to read. Like a hug in a book
April 9, 2024
Each page was a pleasure to behold. Truly healing.
July 8, 2024
this somehow came about just when I needed it <3
July 16, 2024
five stars because I listened to Helena Bonham Carter read poems from this book at a castle and I cried
July 22, 2024
Quite a meh collection ngl
January 28, 2025
Review to come
April 30, 2025
I even enjoy more than the poems the justification for the prescription. Fine and fun book that is a good caress to the soul.
August 28, 2025
I will never be done with this book, it imparts such wisdom, it will be my “go to” poetry book, along with a few others. that will never get old.
October 1, 2025
You are the alchemist
of your loneliness
You can create anything
in its place
I like this collection. The idea is really novel. And little twee but whatever.
of your loneliness
You can create anything
in its place
I like this collection. The idea is really novel. And little twee but whatever.
June 9, 2024
This is pure genius - an ailment or issue is described in detail on one page and a poem for its treatment prescribed on the opposite page. It's the sort of book that you need to own so that you can dip into it during different events or seasons of your life. This is the 3rd book of its kind by Sieghart and it was so powerful that I'm going to have to find the first 2 volumes.
October 20, 2024
A dear friend bought this for me and her description captures it well- a read that is “good for the soul”. Much like the different poems within, you discover a different chapter of yourself each time you pick it up and put it down. It won’t be leaving my bedside table anytime soon.
Thank you, Shona 🩷
Thank you, Shona 🩷
May 27, 2024
10 stars — SO good from daunt books & perfect for me right now. Love discovering new poets, read poetry and some uplifting and inspiring prose. The doctor is in 💊🧚♀️🧑⚕️
September 15, 2025
Miles better than its predecessors, yet still slightly sickening in some places. Definitely worth a read for newbie poetry-goers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews