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Discover the Benefits of Writing Poetry for Character Development
The Benefits of Poetry for Boys Home of Virginia Students
The mountains surrounding Boys Home provided the perfect backdrop as Emma Lazarus’s powerful words echoed through our classroom.
"The shining waters with pale currents strewn, The quiet fishing-smacks, the Eastern cove, The semi-circle of its dark, green grove."
“Long Island Sound” hung in the air while our students listened intently.
April brought more than spring showers to our campus this year. We were fortunate to host Mattie Quesenberry Smith, Virginia’s newly appointed Poet Laureate, who spent the day sharing her passion for poetry with our young men.
As Virginia’s Poet Laureate (serving through 2026), Smith knows a thing or two about words. But her background might surprise you. Before poetry took center stage, she earned a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in Curriculum and Instruction. Her earlier degrees include an M.A. in Creative Writing from Hollins University, plus undergraduate work in both Biology and English Literature.
Her visit on April 2nd transformed an ordinary Thursday into an extraordinary journey of self-discovery.
The Power of Creative Expression for Young Men
At Boys Home of Virginia, we recognize that structured creative activities play a crucial role in the overall character development of our young men. Poetry, in particular, offers unique benefits for emotional growth through creative writing, providing a safe outlet for expressing thoughts and feelings that might otherwise remain unexplored.
Throughout the day’s activities, Smith emphasized how poetry creates space for reflection and self-awareness, skills that are especially valuable in a structured residential environment, where character development is a priority
A Workshop in Discovery and Self-Expression
The day’s activities began with students from our Creative Writing and English 12 classes gathering for a specialized workshop. Smith started by reading Emma Lazarus’s “Long Island Sound,” demonstrating how mapping techniques can transform personal experiences into powerful poetry.
The workshop progressed through several structured exercises:
- Students selected decorative paper to create personalized booklets for their final poems
- They drew maps of meaningful locations to serve as inspiration
- Through guided brainstorming, they developed lists of sensory words and phrases
- These elements were then carefully crafted into finished poems
What made the experience particularly meaningful was watching our young men stand and share their completed works. Smith praised their attention to sensory details, emotional honesty, and skillful use of repeated sounds— elements that create connection through creative expression.
Nature as Inspiration for Personal Growth
Smith herself composed a poem during her visit, drawing inspiration from Boys Home’s natural setting.
The day concluded with a special chapel presentation where Smith read several of her nature-focused poems. Works about wildflowers, fishing memories, and the silent flight of an owl captivated our entire student body.
These poems may have resonated deeply with many of our young men, who frequently participate in outdoor activities such as farming and athletics, which are essential aspects of their Boys Home experience.
Character Development Through Creative Expression
The structured creative activities led by Smith align perfectly with Boys Home’s mission of developing young men of character. Poetry workshops and other expressive arts offer valuable tools for personal growth, complementing our academic program, work responsibilities, and spiritual development.
Research consistently shows that writing poetry provides significant benefits for youth development, including:
- Improved emotional regulation and self-awareness
- Enhanced communication skills
- Greater empathy and understanding of others
- Strengthened ability to process complex experiences
- Increased resilience and coping mechanisms
Through these structured creative experiences, our young men develop not just skills for self-expression but important tools for navigating life’s challenges with confidence and purpose.
Continuing the Journey of Self-Expression
It’s incredible to witness the ability to craft meaningful poetry when given the right structure and guidance— a discovery that parallels our overall approach to developing young men’s potential at Boys Home.
We extend our sincere thanks to Mattie Quesenberry Smith for sharing her talents and insights with our Boys Home community. Her guidance demonstrated that within our structured environment, creative expression can be a powerful tool for emotional growth and character development.
Want to learn more about how Boys Home of Virginia supports the comprehensive development of young men? Connect with us today!