Poetic Catharsis

I've been wondering about whether poetry is a good form of catharsis. Can it help to clear your mind from the stresses and strains of everday life and leave you free to really express your hidden feelings? I have no doubt it can. It's all about letting your creative right brain get out in the open. So, no doubt, there is something to be said for poetry.

Of course, it's not just any poetry. When you tie yourself down to rhyming, you can stunt your creativity; block yourself from those things you are trying to hold in, but need to get out. Rhyming poetry has its place, and forcing yourself to rhyme can help creativity. Yet, I can't help thinking, having used free-intuitive writing to great effect, if the freedom of just writing in a poetic style can free your mind nicely.

I'm sorry if the purists don't agree. And I'm sorry if I haven't got all the technical terms right. But I'm not interested in technicality. I'm only interested in that which can help me to sort myself out. I want to create a feeling of peace in my mind, and I can't help but think that this is one way.