by Jane Seskin, LCSW
April is National Poetry Month. What, you might ask, does that have to do with me and my social work practice? Think of this month as an opportunity to read some poetry and discover how a poem might relate to your life. As a social worker/poet for more than 40 years, I know poetry can reveal thoughts and feelings that might have gone unseen and untouched.
This is how I’ve used poetry with individuals and groups. For example, I’ve chosen these three poems from my recent poetry collection, Older Wiser Shorter: The Truth and Humor of Life After 65. Depending on whom I’m working with I might read the poem aloud, ask someone to read it, or give copies to the group as we read it together.
VOW
I WILL
LIVE
all the
minutes
in my life.
The Practice
A VOW is a commitment you make to yourself. Thinking about this poem, how do you live your life? How much time do you spend on work, play, rest, connection? Are you satisfied or do you need to make changes? Are you doing too much or not enough? What can you do to find your own balance? What does it mean to be “mindful?”
The poem “Talk to Me” is asking for a deeper conversation on what it means to grow older.
TALK TO ME
Hey, is there someone who’s
supposed to warn you of the
health stuff as you age?
Doctor? Friends? The internet?
No one sounded the bell for me on
belching, dehydration, constipation
or flatulence. No talk of elongated
earlobes, receding gums, facial hair
or that I would get winded and need
to pause in the middle of the street
to catch my breath. Were body
malfunctions too private to share?
Did I not make the time to ask the
questions? Did you not want to
tell me about my physical future?
I want to know what’s normal and
what’s not. Maybe…maybe we
could just be a little more honest
and vulnerable with each other.
Perhaps we could connect on a
deeper level through sharing our
stories, even the scary ones, of
our health fantasies and fears and
what makes each of us feel better.
The Practice
This is a recognition that the poet did not have the information she needed. She’s looking for connection with others to find community where health issues might be addressed. What does it feel like to be vulnerable, at any age? How do you prepare for the future? Where do you get your information? What health issues do you personally need to address? How do you choose a supportive medical team?
And...
DEAR PERSON WHO GOT UNDER MY SKIN
At those times when I’m angry
or upset with roller-coaster
emotion, troubled, anxious,
barely breathing,
not sleeping,
I write a letter.
Writing the letter
allows me to lay out
the entire picture of what
they did and what I said
and what I wish, hope
to happen next.
It separates me
from the knot in my chest,
the heaviness around my
shoulders and sitting on my
heart and oh the action feels
wonderfully freeing.
I
DO
NOT
SEND
THE
LETTER!
The Practice
Describe the last time you were angry. What did you feel? Who did you talk to about the feelings involved? What steps did you take to address the anger? Was it possible to let it go? This poem talks about one way to deal with anger, to reflect rather than react.
As you read a wide variety of poems, please remember that POETRY creates a moment to both
inhabit and witness a life.
Jane Seskin, LCSW, is a practicing psychotherapist. For 20 years she counseled survivors at the Crime Victims Treatment Center in New York. Her essays and poems have been published in numerous national magazines and journals. She’s been a writer-in-residence at the Vermont Studio Center and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. You can follow Jane @olderwisershorter.