I recently began my newest journey: biblio/poetry therapy. Starting in September I will be training to become a poetry/literature/journaling coach, basically using the written word to facilitate expression and healing for people. Although my start date is not for a few months, I am in the application process, and have begun attending the monthly group meetings. I have found these meetings inspiring and cathartic. I love to write, but lost faith in myself years ago after some bad criticism. I am just now beginning to open up again to writing creatively, and have found that the words come easier than I thought. I’d like to share something I wrote during my last group meeting. The facilitator gave us a bunch of images to choose from, that would spark us to write. I chose an image of underwater plants moving toward the surface of the water for sunlight:
Twisting stems reach up from soggy earth, craning their necks for sunlight. The sunlight pours in, a continual cycle of life, rebirth. Light is what I reach for, even if heavy is what I sometimes feel. How many pounds of pressure push at us from all sides every second of our lives? Yet still we open our mouths to the sky, yearning to taste a drop of light, light that may allow us to brighten, illuminate the dark spaces, lessen the pressure. Perhaps one day we will be so light that the ground will be a place we once knew and the sky will be our home. I try each day to create this lightness within, so that without even noticing it, my feet barely touch the ground.
Best wishes with your new work. Congratulations on that step in your journey!
-Jennifer
Thank you!
You are fearless for sharing and exposing yourself through these written words.
I appreciate hearing that. Thank you, Christine!
Beautiful! I was wondering where you are doing your training? I would love to hear more about poetry therapy… Much love for this new journey.
Thank you! You can check it out at http://www.nfbpt.com/. You work locally with a mentor/supervisor who helps you put together sessions when working with clients. You also attend a monthly writing workshop in which your mentor/supervisor basically puts together a sample poetry therapy session. It’s a lot of fun and perfect for anyone who loves poetry/literature/writing. Let me know if you’d like any more information!
Thanks Shannon, I will go have a look on the link you posted. Sounds very inspiring.