Butch performing at the Enough Said Poetry Showcase at the Illawarra Folk Festival. His next poetic challenge is at the Kiama Farmers’ Market on Wednesday. Photo: Adara Enthaler.
A unique kind of pharmacy is setting up shop at the Kiama Farmers’ Market this Wednesday (12 February) — just in time for Valentine’s Day.
But instead of dispensing pills, this pharmacy will prescribe personalised poems to soothe the mind, lift the spirit and inspire the heart.
Known as The Poetry Pharmacy, the initiative invites marketgoers to share with Albion Park poet, writer and filmmaker Joseph “Butch” Schwarzkopf their feelings— whether they’re lovesick, heartbroken, homesick, or just seeking inspiration.
In return, Butch will craft a personalised poem tailored to their sentiment or ailment, or compose a poetry gift for someone special in their life.
“The Poetry Pharmacy will be a new experience for both me and the people who come through,” Butch said.
“I’m much more accustomed to performing my poetry for people, so writing poems for people on the spot will be something different for me.
“I enjoy writing short poems for family and friends in greeting cards and postcards, so writing poems for the community in person is an exciting opportunity.”
Armed with a trusty typewriter, Butch will be at the market from 3 pm to 6 pm, ready to deliver poetic remedies.
“People can come and ask for a poem for themselves or for someone else,” he said.
“I might ask for a few details depending on the poem, and then I’ll write them a poem on the spot.
“It’ll definitely be a collaborative experience with each person.”
The Poetry Pharmacy is a free service and was an idea created by Kiama Council cultural development officer Carmelina Nunnari for Valentine’s Day – or Library Lovers’ Day, as it’s known in the library world.
Carmelina said the poems had no adverse side effects—except the joy of having a personalised verse to treasure forever.
“Poetry has always been a way to make sense of the world,” she said.
“We believe words have the power to mend, to uplift, and to connect us to one another.”
For Butch, he’s always loved words and how they come together.
“I’ve been writing as self-expression from a young age, but really came into taking poetry seriously in university when I stumbled into spoken word poetry,” he said.
“Poetry, like all other art forms, gives us an avenue to express ourselves and be understood.
“I think it’s healing to be able to read, see, listen to, feel something that you relate to and it illuminates a part of your experience or life – especially when the art shows us that so many of our deep, personal feelings are universal experiences.
“It’s like that feeling when you’re sad and you find that one song that sounds like it was written by the voice inside your head. Poetry can be an avenue for catharsis.”
For Butch, this project is a step into the unknown, but it’s one he’s eager to embrace.
“Some poems can come in an instant, and some take a little more work to build or shape,” he said.
“It’ll really depend on the person and what kind of poem they want.”
Marketgoers will also have the chance to explore Kiama Library’s pop-up stall alongside the Poetry Pharmacy. The stall will feature Valentine-themed library bags, mystery books, gift packs, bookmarks and even a craft activity for kids.
The Poetry Pharmacy will be at the Kiama Farmers’ Market on Wednesday from 3 pm to 6 pm.
For those wanting more of Butch’s poetry, his book Pagong Cannot Climb Trees is available through online retailers or by request at libraries.
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