"Calming the Waves" by Su Shi, A Poem for Motivation and Mental Health
As World Mental Health Day approaches, we asked our community a question: what writing, specifically poetry, has carried you through hard times, or pushed you forward when you needed it?
Some of our best conversations about mental health have happened on our late night rucking sessions, in the dark and close to midnight. Strip away the distractions, leaving the weight on your back, with hours with nothing to do but walk and what's left is the real stuff: purpose, pain, and pushing past the things we're each quietly working through. And sometimes, when we're solo and the self-talk starts, a few lines of a song or a poem is what carries you through.
Here we share "Calming the Waves" by Su Shi, one of the great ports of China's Song dynasty (1037 to to 1101). The poem teaches that true inner peace comes from rising above life's unpredictable hardships and good fortunes with a calm, resilient and carefree mind.
Calming the Waves
Do not listen to the sound of rain beating through the trees. Why not walk on, singing as though nothing has happened?
My companions hurry ahead, but I take my time. Who is afraid? Let a little rain fall and let the wind blow.
The bamboo staff in my hand, the straw sandals on my feet - they carry me more lightly than a horse ever could.
What does it matter if I am soaked by the rain? I would rather laugh and sing than let the storm decide my mood.
Looking back, that dark and difficult journey is already behind me. When the clouds clear and the evening mist lifts, the mountain ahead looks no different from before.
Wind, rain, sunshine - they come and go. Why should the heart be troubled by any of them?
Learn more about Calming the Waves
Final Thoughts
Poetry can give words to feelings that are sometimes difficult to express directly. Reading a poem, or writing one ourselves, can help us pause, reflect and make sense of experiences that might otherwise feel confusing or overwhelming. It can create a little space between what we feel and how we respond.
Is there a piece of literature or poetry that has affected, supported or inspired you?
Poetry isn't a substitute for professional support when we need it, but it can be a simple and accessible tool for reflection and emotional wellbeing. Sometimes, a few carefully chosen words can help us see our own experience from a different perspective. And if you are a veteran in Singapore, consider joining Sandbag Asia, a registered society and support network for ex-service members.
Stay Healthy,
Alastair
Related Studies and Resources
Kassab A, Jayatunge R, Bou Khalil R. The therapeutic functions of poetry in mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res. 2026 Feb;356:116897. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2025.116897. Epub 2025 Dec 11. PMID: 41411711.
Johnson-Laird PN, Oatley K. How poetry evokes emotions. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2022 Apr;224:103506. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103506. Epub 2022 Jan 29. PMID: 35101737.
Tracy, D. (2021). Veterans’ self-expression in poetry. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, 7(1), 108–112. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3138/jmvfh-2020-0005
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