30/05/2025- My heart is like a singing bird

Welcome to the Poetry Pharmacy's newsletter! Here you will find upcoming events, new and featured books, poems, prescriptions, and panaceas. 

June 1st marks one year of the Poetry Pharmacy on Oxford Street
 

It's our first birthday in London! And what a year it’s been!

When we first opened our second Poetry Pharmacy inside Lush, on the busiest shopping street in the world, we didn’t quite know what to expect. We hoped to reach new audiences and show how poetry, and reading more generally, might play a therapeutic role in troubled times, or act as guidance for all the stages of life- but we never imagined the overwhelmingly positive response that followed.

A year on, we’ve shared thousands of poetic remedies (and sold out more than once!), been featured in international media, and from Shropshire, we've posted parcels of poetry prescriptions and books to people all over the world. Most meaningfully, we’ve met a growing community of readers, seekers, and lovers of words, both in person and online.

In a world that can often feel uncertain and disconnected, poetry and thoughtful non-fiction continue to offer something extraordinary: a bridge of connection, a way to reflect, find comfort, and to make sense of our inner landscapes.

To those of you who’ve supported us - by visiting the Poetry Pharmacy in London, sending a kind message, or gifting a poetry prescription to a friend in need - thank you. You’ve helped turn our small business into something incredibly special: a place for words, kindness and listening, right in the heart of Oxford Street, and part of London’s wider literary landscape.

As a good friend of the Poetry Pharmacy, we’d love you to join the celebration. Enjoy 15% off all products on our website using the following code at checkout:

anni-verse-ary-oxfordstreet-15
 

And here’s to the next chapter.
 



Below, we’ve gathered a few photos from the past year in Oxford Street to reflect on our journey so far — we hope you’ll enjoy looking back with us.

Setting Up

These photos were taken in the days leading up to the opening. It was incredible to watch everything come together and start to look beautiful! We felt equal parts excited and terrified.
Our Launch Party

Our launch party was a joyful celebration! It was wonderful to see so many friends and supporters come together, to share in our excitement, and raise a glass.
Media Coverage
 
We’ve been fortunate to be featured in a range of interesting media, which has helped spread the word about the Poetry Pharmacy to so many of you!
Thanks to our brilliant Oxford Street team
 
At the heart of the Poetry Pharmacy in Oxford Street is our wonderful team of poet-booksellers. Thoughtful, passionate, and endlessly kind, they bring the space to life with their warmth, knowledge, and love of literature. They make every visitor feel at home, and we’re so grateful for everything they do. Thanks to our lovely London team and Happy Anni-verse-ary to you too! 
And the most heartfelt thanks goes to the amazing Maya Rowland, who set up the day to day operations at the Oxford Street Poetry Pharmacy, and is now head of our retail more generally, or maybe Apothecarist of the Imagination might be a more suitable title, as we plot and plan for the future together! Thank you so much Maya!  


Don’t forget to use your 15% discount code — it’s valid across our entire website. You’ll find beautiful poetry and wellbeing titles, poetical remedies for almost any emotional ailment, and thoughtful tools and games to help you learn, heal, and grow. Plus, you can now browse by your emotional state!
This week’s newsletter title comes from Christina Rosetti's poem ‘A Birthday’, which you can read here.

Thank you for reading, have a wonderful weekend and do come and visit us in either London or Bishop's Castle if you get the chance!
Events

Take a look at the links below for the events we have planned this Summer
Bishop's Castle 
Oxford Street
Online