Healing Poetry Exercise
from upcoming book Creative Awakening: Journal and Workbook
HEALING POETRY EXERCISE
In this exercise, we are digging into the subconscious to express deeper images, symbols, or emotions drawn from the subconscious and that which is hidden in the body. We are also practicing listening to the subconscious; like paying attention to your dreams.
We are not looking for a perfect poem, (not interested in rhyming). We are playing with our minds and subconscious looking for imagery to express.
THIS IS AN EXPLORATION. YOU WANT TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE IMAGES AND PHRASES OR SYMBOLS THAT COME TO THE FOREFRONT OF YOUR MIND. Especially the surprising.
Close your eyes. Breathe in and out a few times.
Open your eyes and look at the 12 categories and their words before you. Be especially aware of imagery that comes to you as you scan the lists.
Pick a word from each list of categories. Write them down.
If something different comes up for you in each category, write that down instead. Be free with this. Be exploratory. For instance, if you are attracted to sound in the SENSES list, and you hear the roar of an engine, write that instead. The lists are only jumping off points These categories are only used to give your subconscious ideas. As you scan each list, look for your body’s responses to each word: a slight nudge forward, heat in chest or belly, a feeling of yes or “this one!” Your body will tell you what one it wants you to include in your list.
Here are the 12 categories. If one category does not resonate with you, ignore it.
ARCHETYPES:
The Warrior/The Geisha/The Goddess/The Gods/The Diety/The Innocent/ The Everyman/ The Hero/The Outlaw/The Explorer/The Angel/ The Mother/ The Creator/The Father/The Ruler/ The Helper/ The Warrioress/The Magician/ The Lover/ The Dark Force/ The Bully/The Caregiver/ The Jester/ The Sage/The Heroine/The Lover/The Magician/The Outlaw/The Explorer/The Sage/The Innocent/The Child/The Witch/ The Monster/The Ghost/The Teacher/The Nun/The Minister/The Detective/The Judge/The Heroine
BODY PARTS:
wing/tails/back/legs/butt/hands/arms/teeth/bones/mouth/chin/lungs
shoulders/heart/neck/nose/eyes/lips/head/throat/jaw/liver/sexual organs/ears
ANIMALS:
bird/turtle/dog/lion/bear/fish/eagle/elephant/cat/dragon/mouse/tiger
deer/moose/polar bear/dolphin/rabbit/whale/snail/snake/lizard/fox/bug
butterfly/frog/starfish/rooster/puppy/toad/chicken/hyena/rat/pig/ape
beetle/monkey/worm/sheep/giraffe/horse/crocodile/cow/duck/leopardseal/camel/shark/penguin/jellyfish/octopus/racoon/ant
NATURE:
windstorm/dust/underground/ocean/sand/river/stream/icicle/sunset
stars/sky/desert/fire/beach/pond/cavern/cave/rock-bed/dam
jungle/mountain/tree/fire/rocks/tunnels/forest/prairie/sand dunes
comet/metal/water/earth/bush/tumbleweeds/snow/rain/waterfall/hail
moon/roots/vines/flowers/sunrise/field/waves/tides
SENSES:
sounds/ tastes/ touch/ hear/see/Know
COLORS:
blue/ green/ red/ yellow/orange/ violet/ pink/ purple/grey/black/white/
beige/gold/silver
STATES OF MIND OR EMOTIONAL STATES:
ashamed/tender/regretful/frail/betrayed/resilient/hopeless/perplexed
dreamy/withdrawn/furious/lonely/sullen/thrilled/peaceful/fury
stranded/hungry/liberated/daring/rejecting/astonished/distrustful
distrustful/suspicious/fascinated/playful/cheerful/loyal/distructive
invincible/ignored/raw/violated/curious/awed/aversion/submissive
flat/droopy/distant/vulnerable/pained/calm/clear/serene/helpless
MOVING THINGS:
train/motorcycle/plane/truck/car/bicycle/airplane/bus/escalator
space-shuttle/zipline/rat-wheel/elevator/rocket/helicopter/go- cart wheelbarrow/skates/swing/subway/merry-go- round/scooter/boat round/skateboard/ferris-wheel/elevator/wheelchair/ambulance
PLACES:
house/cave/cottage/hospital/restaurant/cabin/industrial complex/mall grocery/store/playground/camp/amusement park/courtroom/police station/ dance floor/subway station/stage/home/strip-mall/winery
bar/museum/park/library/prison/business office/fire-station/casino
LIVING AREAS:
kitchen/bathroom/backyard/frontyard/basement/attic/bedroom/living room/garage/hallway/porch/roof/closet/den/office/shed/loft/cellar
OBJECTS:
Rope/table/penny/apple/telephone/letter/keys/phone/wallet/ticket
money/clothes/glass/knife/eyeglasses/spoon/drapes/cage/sissors
instrument/magnet/coat/window/door/shelf/lamp/clock/pillow/diary
camera/sword/sunglasses/guitar/box/shovel/cup/flag/bottle/parachute
bucket/sign/plate/teacup/cards/book/belt/girdle/boots/jeans/ball
MAGICAL CREATURES:
Elf/Fairy/Wizard/Gnome/Mermaid/Pixie/Ogre/Vampire/Witch/HobbitGoblin/Zombie/Dragon/Serpent/Nymph/Sprite/Gremlin/Cyclops/ImpTroll/Werewolf/Unicorn/Angel/Warlock
When you have finished, you will have Twelve Words on a paper.
See if you can continue to not think linearly or rationally, and continue listening to what your body is giving you. It doesn’t have to make sense. Please refrain from judging whether it is good or bad. That’s not what we are doing here. Just notice how your body/subconscious brought up these images using only light suggestions.
Move the words around in different orders if you like.
See if you would like to add further words from the categories.
If one particular word is resonating with you, see if you’d like to write further descriptors;
Add adjectives which describe shape or color “big ole green car” or “heavy woolen clothes”
Add additional verbs which describe action (Stole, smell, throw, wake)
Add additional nouns.
Are there any themes here that you see? Do you want to develop the theme further?
If you’d like to, add further phrases or descriptions to the words you have.
Would you like to describe any actions or the situation further?
Would you like to make a story with the words you have?
Whatever you have at this point is originally yours, coming from your own subconscious. If you are called to, keep going. Sleep on it and come back to it in the morning to keep playing. It will tell you when it’s finished, if you keep listening to your body’s impulses and not letting your thoughts get in the way.