Lifting Our Voices: Poetic Medicine as Ministry | Amy Webb

It began as a spring opportunity to offer “soul food” to congregants, and clients of a free medical clinic and food pantry on the campus of Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church in Pawleys Island, SC. Each month the theme changes, and each month quotes, poems, and writing prompts are placed in an outside “blessing box” and inside 90 bags of personal care, household, and food products distributed to rural county residents. “I wanted to share my belief in the soul-feeding power of poetry with a larger community,” said Amy Webb, ministry leader and retired psychologist.

Within three months, another opportunity presented itself: A writing-together group. The church’s years-long bi-weekly contemplative walking ministry she co-leads was on hiatus in deference to summer heat. Walkers were invited to gather indoors, same time, the theme being “Nature’s Wonder.” “This was my inaugural poetic-medicine circle,” Amy offered. Following years of attending in-person and online poetic medicine circles, and certified as a Poetry as a Tool for Wellness (PTW) facilitator, a door opened.

A small group of four met in person. Their presenting intentions were similar: to jump-start their writing practices as occasional journalers or stalled prose writer. From the IPM process--unique in their experience, they reported inspiration, illumination. They became aware of a personal hunger for writing-in-community, and for hearing themselves through reflections, silence, and the open sharing of others. They asked for more.

The circles have continued about monthly, with themes selected to invite participants deeper, encouraging them to give voice to hopes and fears and needed support for living in these times. Themes of “Mining the Joy,” “A Start to Be Brave,” “Being With,” and “Rooted for What Comes” called initial and new participants. Sixteen women, ranging in age from 25 to 85, are on the invitation list now, yielding circles of an optimal 8-10 participants. Each voice lifted offers a gem: a new interpretation of a poem’s line, a surprise insight, tearful vulnerability, a forgotten memory--all trusting to be received in safety, by a gentle, loving, wise, honest, encouraging community. Someone shares a word that happens to be the same unspoken word on the tip of the tongue of another, and that same word opens the heart of another. And silence blesses the deep listening.

One participant, who works full-time claims “professional development time” on her calendar to make room to attend a circle. In her fifth circle, she finally mustered the courage to read her unfinished poem aloud, absorbing the power of it being reflected by the others. As the circle ended and women were disbursing, one new participant came up to her and asked, “Are you a poet?” She answered, “No…well, yes, if we all are!” She is now registering for the PTW online training course to facilitate in the future.

Our circles have concluded with:

“NOURISHMENT, communion, heartful sharing, freedom, hope, kinship, amazement.”

“I can breathe!”

“This glorious work feeds me.” 

“You have created a sacred space where all are welcomed and seen, thank you!” 

“What a gift!”