Healing words

A Bridge for Healing

This year’s World Poetry Day sees poems as a bridge for peace and inclusion.

Words are a bridge for healing. To connect us to others and ourselves. To connect us with people we have never met, whose words carry great comfort and wisdom. Words can bring us outwards - into a warm embrace of common humanity, as we see that our troubles and experiences are shared by others. Words can bring us inwards - as they resonate and evoke a felt sense bringing us home to our bodies.

Capture your glimmer

I would like to invite you to take a few moments to see if words can help you connect to the things that bring you joy in life.

1.     Find a glimmer

Starting by taking a moment to sink into your chair, feeling your feet rooted and supported on the ground. Cast your mind back to the last day or week searching for glimmers: any moment, however small, that lit you up and wrapped you up in a feeling of well-being. It could be something small that only lasted a few seconds. Seeing a flower blossoming. Warm water on your skin in the shower. Singing a song you love. A cuddle with your loved one or pet. How does this glimmer feel to you? Where do you sense it in the body?

2.     Savour your glimmer

Stay with your glimmer for a moment longer. Allow it to linger and land in your system. How does it feel as you hold these sensations and have them humming in your system? Could you make them a little bigger? Like blowing a little more air into a balloon?

3.     Capture your glimmer in a short poem

You are welcome to capture your glimmer in a short poem. Allow yourself to write without judgement, whichever words and form feel right to you. A poem can be free verse without any rhythm or rhyme or follow a structure such as a haiku (following a pattern of 3 lines with 5, then 7 , then 5 syllables in each line).

You can keep your poem to visit again, any time you like or you feel the need.

You are welcome to share your poem – or other poems (or song lyrics) you find healing – here. Perhaps your own words can bring joy and comfort to others?

A moment of warmth

Finally, I wanted to share my own glimmer. In the unseasonly cold and rainy weather (I am based in the South of France!) and after a busy day, snuggling up with my son, wrapped in a blanket and watching a show was just the medicine we both needed:

warm like golden toast

when I feel you next to me

the world fades away

If you find it difficult to see the glimmers in your life, I would be honoured to support you. You are welcome to reach out for a free, introductory call.