Besides announcements of workshops, this is the first time I've written to you personally about the Institute and our work. There is something in me that leans towards listening and an understated approach to this work.
A passage from an essay entitled Rain and the Rhinoceros by Thomas Merton, appeals to me. Merton writes how he is hearing rain pour down:
"What
a thing it is to sit absolutely alone, in the forest, at night,
cherished by this wonderful, unintelligible, perfectly innocent speech,
the most comforting speech in the world, the talk that rain makes by
itself all over the ridges, and the talk of the water-courses
everywhere in the hollows!"
Resilience, courage, and a sense of cherishing are evoked when people make poems to heal. Something true and real happens. Roots and dirt stay on. Compassion and kindness come to settle quietly upon loss and illness, not only upon the person who writes the poem but also upon a whole community that listens and offers deep presence to one another. Flourishing happens even in the midst of life's fierce challenges.
In your own way, through work and living life, you may treasure poetry's healing capacity. You may encourage others to explore their creative voice. You may be tuned in to the Institute for resources and how to develop programs in poetry therapy. Remembering this reminds me what a privilege it is to share with you.
Together we can make a difference in the world. I frequently call upon this quote to express what I mean:
"By making us stop for a moment, poetry gives us an opportunity to think about ourselves as human beings on this planet and what we mean to each other."
~ Rita Dove, former U.S. Poet Laureate
I'm happy to report that due to generous financial and caring support of many people contributing to our nonprofit in 2007 and this year, we are starting to build and expand upon 24 years of healing work. Our very first IPM partners are beginning their outreach of poetry & healing.
Kim Nelson is offering 60 sessions to youth recently released from incarceration. She established a relationship with Community Works of Berkeley, CA to help facilitate this. Community Works is matching our financial support! Kim has done excellent and redemptive work for fourteen years with these young people and we are proud to support this project.
Lisa DeVuono, long-time friend of the Institute, will offer a rich series of poetry workshops to people living with cancer through Wellness Communities in the Lehigh Valley and in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
This past year I've visited Encinitas, Greensboro, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Orlando, Sacramento, Valhalla, Bronxville, New York City, Spokane, Baton Rouge, Cleveland, Atlanta, Dallas, Palm Desert, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and four Hawaiian islands. Poetic medicine provided renewal and reflection to people working and training in hospice and pastoral care, medicine and nursing, education and psychology, as well as in a corporate setting and a national conference on writing to heal.
I worked with veterans, children and adults with disabilities, people whose lives are impacted by cancer and chronic illness, people passionate about issues of peace & justice, men's groups, undergraduate and graduate students, elementary and middle school children, people who are visually impaired, and elders in assisted living.
When a person expresses their creative voice, that process begins to open their heart, at times a heart broken or traumatized. This blend of trust, spaciousness, and validation is healing. It allows people to become more whole. And from that wholeness better able to listen to one's inner voice and the voices of others.
In the future The Institute of Poetic Medicine Website will provide a resource bank to people in all of the professions we serve. Our vision is inclusive and generative. Please let us know how you are using poetic medicine. We will find ways on the website to invite an "interactive process" with the stories we have to share. To do this well IPM needs volunteer help. I will make specific volunteer requests and report more on our website progress in a future letter.
The Institute for Poetic Medicine will continue to a) inspire people to consider poetry and poem-making as a powerful way to speak up for what's true, and
b) create not only safe places to speak up, but foster creative community that bolsters courage, making discovery and change possible.
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Thank you for your support. 