The Healing Power of Poetry

I was recently reminded that one of the most overlooked, misunderstood tools in the counseling office can also be one of the most profoundly transformative. I have been repeatedly inspired and surprised by the power of artistic, expressive therapeutic techniques. Art has a way of helping us to access and express the deepest and most meaningful parts of our stories. In particular, I have recently started to incorporate more poetry into my work with clients.

Poetry as a Therapy Tool

The use of poetry in counseling is definitely not new. Organizations such as Pongo have been doing excellent work using poetic expression for many years. The act of expressing the painful and troubling parts of our lives through poetry does not come easily for everyone, and many of the poems that my clients produce are quite sad and difficult to read. However, I have seen that they experience tremendous relief as they express themselves in creative ways. I have seen many people come to experience a better understanding of their own thoughts and emotions, and a greater sense of autonomy, through the use of poetry.

Poems from the Counseling Room

In this article, I share an example of the kind of courageous expression that comes from the amazing folks I work with. One of my clients has graciously allowed me to share a sampling of the poetry he created during the course of his work. Prior to starting his work in counseling, he had never written a poem in his life. The first poem is titled “Therapy” and the second is titled “31 Sessions Ago.”

Therapy

Ashamed, nervous and feeling like I wanted to bolt out the door

Never to return.

I began to speak what had never seen the light

To fling the lid off the jar

and empty its contents.

Shame and sorrow, hurt and pain

Spoken in confidence, spoken in safety.

I had been in a prison,

Sentenced, it seemed, with no hope of parole

This evil had become my definition.

Everything in me wanted to harden my heart.

But a hardened heart doesn’t heal

A softened one will.

Running and resisting was not the answer,

But it was the only way to survive.

So much was lost or taken away

But I was told I still have a destiny

I was told I’m still a child of God

He saw me, He chose me

In His incredible love.

 

I was told that nothing can ever change that,

I was told my life is more than my life here.

I was told that he was half the man I am,

That he brought darkness and chill to a once bright boy.

A lifeline of hope

Thrown into my crevasse of shame.

Kind, but firm words

To guide and heal and to tell me

My Heavenly Father is with me.

 

To explain to me that it wasn’t my fault

To tell me that throughout this journey

I will have bad days and bad dreams

Plus good days and good dreams

And my Father is in all of my days

And this pain won’t last forever

But I will.

31 Sessions Ago

Ashamed to speak of what was done

As if to name it would cause it to happen again

Would make him reappear

And begin the shameful game again

31 sessions ago.

 

Afraid, heart pounding, on the edge of tears,

Clenched fists in fear, in shame,

The whisper tells me to run

Because this won’t help, this won’t work –

31 sessions ago.

 

Defensive and deflecting, mistrusting and secretive

Wounded and fearful,

I begin to unwind my story

31 sessions ago.

 

Unmasking the liar, speaking truth to me,

Guiding me out of the tangle of half-truths and deception

Leading me to discover the reality of who I can truly be

31 sessions from then.

Christian Counseling to Discover the Treasure within You

Christian Counseling is an excellent place to start facing whatever it is that has you feeling “stuck.” With the help of a good Christian counselor, you can begin to begin to find the solutions you are seeking. I would be delighted to partner with you as you enter this challenging and important healing process.