The poetry pharmacy : tried-and-true prescriptions for the heart, mind and soul

'A matchless compound of hug, tonic and kiss' Stephen Fry'I keep my copy with the brandy and aspirin' Jeanette WintersonSometimes only a poem will do.

For countless people, the poetic prescriptions and wise words of advice from William Sieghart's bestselling Poetry Pharmacy have offered comfort, delight and inspiration; a space for reflection, and that precious realization - I'm not the only one who feels like this. 'Marvellous ... balm for the soul, fire for the belly, a cooling compress for the fevered brow, solace for the wounded, an arm around the lonely shoulder' Stephen Fry'Delightful; it rightly resituates poetry in relation to its biggest and most serious task: helping us to live and die well' Alain de Botton'Sieghart's enthusiasm for poetry is so generous, optimistic and open-hearted, it's hard to resist' Evening Standard'One for the bedside, a solace for sleepless nights' Daily Mail