Poetry is a spiritual awakening
I have felt… bereft, I think it is fair to say, without a hint of humour, in recent times because I have not been writing poetry. I have poured so much love and effort into creating and writing the Feeling Freedom Programme that I had neglected my own spiritual practice of writing poetry.
“By ‘eck Jacky” I hear you cry, “Isn’t that a bit of a lofty notion that you have there about stringing a few words together and kicking in a rhyming couplet when the mood takes you?!”
Well, I would have agreed with you, dear friend, if I had not experienced the shrivelled prune-ness of my heart recently.
Writing poetry is my opportunity to really connect with myself, to tune in to all my parts:
The sulky teenager part that does NOT want to go to a networking event (she turned up on Monday right in the MIDDLE of a networking event, so that was awkward).
The catastrophising part reeling at the news of the unexpected death of someone.
The heartful sorry part who is oh so sad that our dear old Sloopy dog was put to sleep a couple of weeks ago.
The vulnerable part that allows me to connect with my clients, but is also at times deeply affected by some of our work that we do together.
The terrified and guilty parts (they hold hands) which are constantly humming a backing tune at the state of the world and that whatever involvement I try to have in making the world a better place always feels woefully benign.
When I have this merry dance going on inside me, I can’t communicate it to the outside world in any sensible way. My emotional inner landscape actually feels quite flatlined if I try to share it with anyone (hello freeze response).
The only thing that will do it is sitting down and letting whoever is there pour out of the pen. A bit like a séance, but no one is dead and there’s a blank page in place of the ouija board.
Don’t worry, I won’t share any more about them all, otherwise this missive will resemble a conversation with that painful friends who always insists on sharing their dreams with you.
All that to say, writing allows them all to surface and mingle and get themselves back in some kind of order.
My poor old heart can inflate again.
So imagine my delight at being able to offer the opportunity for others to gather to write and share through the Dorking Poetry Hub. So new it still has the cellophane wrapping on, we had our first session on Monday 23rd June. Here’s a picture of some of the group.
We read a couple of list poems, Bleezer’s Ice Cream and Sick and then had a go at writing one ourselves. I had a bit of fun with it:
There’s so many things I need to do today
I don’t know where to begin!
There’s so many things I need to do today
I’m not sure how I’ll fit it all in!
Return the zebra back to the zoo
Get my spaceship its MOT
Paint my house neon pink
Invite the king to tea
Pick up my pig from the piggy bank
Plait my eyebrows tight
Bake mushroom mud pies for Santa Claus
Sail my ship to the Isle of Wight
It’s my turn to catch the wind again
And take the sunshine for a swim
There’s so many things to do today
I’m not sure how I’ll fit it all in.
As well as being a spiritual space, poetry can also be a playground ☺️. Actually, maybe those two things are one and the same!
In the spirit of sharing, I was also delighted to receive news that my poem ‘Sitting here and thinking through’ was selected to be played on BBC Upload. That is the fifth poem of mine that has had airtime on the BBC Upload programme now. This piece started from a place many of us know: that late-night spiral of "what ifs" and parental guilt. I love the ending of it:
So I sit here beside you,
For when you need me by your side,
And I’m sure I’ll get it wrong again
And it won’t be good enough that I’ve tried.
But I’ll try again and we’ll try again
Until we find a way
To help you find your light again:-
To help you find your way.
I have also uploaded this onto my page on Insight Timer. where I have been uploading some of my recorded poems and will be sharing talks on addiction and writing courses soon. Do please have a look and give me a follow if you are on there!
Speaking of audio, I joined The Dad Project Podcast to share what I've learned from years of working with men who struggle with shame, emotional withdrawal, and communication barriers that often go unrecognised. We discussed practical approaches to help men expand their emotional tolerance, recognise when they need support, and transform their relationships into spaces of healing rather than conflict. I love what Naroop is doing with The Dad Project - offering a counter to the ‘toxic masculinity’ narrative. Have a watch and let me know what you think!
That’s it for now,
‘Til next time!
Jacky ✨