I originally wrote this article for Chrysalis, The Journal of Transformative Language Arts (which is currently under maintenance), April 2016 Let the river take me, a compilation poem Let the river take me — Even when it hurts, it breathes with the joy of laughter, undulating. I choke on life, I’m really here in the world. I … Continue reading Let the river take me: Learnings from facilitating an at-risk group
Healing
Hear myself out
This is one poem in a series from the “Write to Recover” group I facilitate. I put them together from phrases that resonate with me while participants read, adding nothing but punctuation and the occasional conjunction. This one is comprised of the words of four participants who were writing on the theme, "Your own voice." … Continue reading Hear myself out
I am alive and not ashes in the ground
This the ninth in a series of poems from the “Write to Recover” group I facilitate. I put them together from phrases that resonate with me while participants read. I add nothing but punctuation and the occasional conjunction. This one is comprised of the words of four participants who were writing on the prompt, “To … Continue reading I am alive and not ashes in the ground
I simply decided to live
This the fifth in a series of poems from the “Write to Recover” group I facilitate. I put them together from phrases that resonate with me while participants read. I add nothing but punctuation and the occasional conjunction. This one is comprised of the words of five participants. Sometimes the way is right in front … Continue reading I simply decided to live
W.O.R.D.S.: Feminine (or Mother’s calling)
The W.O.R.D.S. Project (Words Open Resonating Depths of the Sacred): A weekly alphabetical search for questions.* Feeling something's deeply wrong Equality and equity are words they say, but My body knows the wound of centuries, Ingrained in the soul of every woman who has ever been called "bitch" or hysterical for Nothing more than speaking … Continue reading W.O.R.D.S.: Feminine (or Mother’s calling)
W.O.R.D.S.: A new project
Can I tell you how much I miss blogging? When I began this strange - as I saw it at the time - new form of writing over five years ago, I was quickly (as in, instantly) hooked. I loved the freedom of my own forum, the informality, the brevity, and above all, that lovely … Continue reading W.O.R.D.S.: A new project
Trust the Process (pt 13): Seeing the End of the Road
On August 16th, 2010 I wrote my first Trust the Process post. It was the beginning of my graduate school journey. Tomorrow I begin the end. My last semester. The one when I pull together everything I have learned over the past three semesters into one piece of writing (well, two, actually) so it can … Continue reading Trust the Process (pt 13): Seeing the End of the Road
Authentic Voice Project: C is for Christ
I realized with discomfort that my last Authentic Voice Project post was in itself Inauthentic. I chose a safe word to explore. I shied away from tackling a true "trigger" word. I again silenced my voice out of fear of rocking the boat. I realized the hypocrisy of this and now I must fix it … Continue reading Authentic Voice Project: C is for Christ
The House of Disrepair: A Fairy Re- Tale
This is a tale based on a recent dream which I worked with in my journal. There once was a little girl who lived in her father's big, old house. Although the little girl's father was kindly and gave her all he thought she needed and wanted, he kept her in her room to protect … Continue reading The House of Disrepair: A Fairy Re- Tale
An open letter to those who are human
C.P. Estes (author of Women Who Run With the Wolves) always addresses her readers as "Dear Brave Souls." I do not know her exact reasoning for this but I can guess that she knows how much courage it takes to live in this world, to face the pains and heartbreaks, unknowns and setbacks. But even … Continue reading An open letter to those who are human
joanna tebbs young 