The power of a poem to help through times of change and transition
Kim Gowland
Leadership and Transitions Coach, working with cultural and public sector leaders to help them navigate change and transition, so they feel more confident and inspired in their careers and wider lives
I am a huge fan of William Sieghart's book The Poetry Pharmacy, which offers 'tried and true prescriptions for the heart, mind and soul'. In my work coaching people through professional or personal transition, the right poem can help a client really think differently about their situtation.
This is a poem for people who are feeling fear of the future or fear of uncertainty or the unknown.
Sieghart says that there is a moment when a poetry pharmacy patient has talked to him about their fears for the future and they hear this poem, and... their faces change. As he says, hearing this poem 'turns fear of the unknown into gratitude for a life which may yet contain unforgettable surprises'.
What If This Road
by Sheenah Pugh
What if this road, that has held no surprises
these many years, decided not to go
home after all; what if it could turn
left or right with no more ado
than a kite-tail? What if its tarry skin
were like a long, supple bolt of cloth
that is shaken and rolled out, and takes
a new shape from the contours beneath?
And if it chose to lay itself down
in a new way; around a blind corner,
across hills you must climb without knowing
what's on the other side; who would not hanker
to be going, at all risks? Who wants to know
a story's end, or where a road will go?
For more poetry which can help you with 'issues of the heart, mind and soul' here is William Sieghart's brilliant book.
And if you need some help with change and transition then get in touch. I am just a message away for a chat.
I help coaches, consultants, mentors, and small business owners. Together, we create intelligent sales systems. Daily, we generate highly qualified potential clients. All this with less effort and more predictability.
2yGreat, Kim :)
Ending trauma on a global scale one family at a time and it starts with healing ourselves! 🙏
3yLove this, thanks for sharing
Coach | Father | Entrepreneur
3yLove this article, thanks for sharing!
Coach | Consultant | Facilitator | Speaker | Courage Researcher | |Talent Development | Women In Data | Women In Tech
3yChief Poetry Officer has the position of Poet In Residence at Be Braver which has become as valuable to reflecting the work that happens in the group work we do as the experience of being in them. When we can’t articulate the thoughts & feelings we have, but collectively can share experiences - it’s quite a thing to have someone give meaning, shape & prose to capture it forever. I’d recommend all organisations give it a go - if you’d like your culture to have a soul.
Poet for hire l Poetic workshops, advertising, events, occasions and internal communications
3yI believe the power of poetry can connect people in incredible ways. Love seeing poetry shared on this platform - it has so much to teach us. Thanks for sharing.