I have just recently finished completing and getting certified from The Good Listening Project, which actually just doesn’t practice but puts into action Deep Listening, which is like Active Listening or Hold Space on steroids. It’s a great practicum that had it roots when it’s founder Frankie Abralind literally set up a little “FREE CUSTOM POETRY table on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. that invited others to ‘tell their stories’ whereby he’d apply the principles of Deep Listening/Holding Space of open unconditional, non-judgmental listening and then in return write a short synopsis ‘origin story’ of their conversation followed by writing a personalized, reflective poem based on the “Poemee’s” preference, of which they get final editing powers and say as to how it is ‘finished.’ This has proven helpful in cultivating wellness and resiliency for folks who are taking advantage of the program and what it offers. POEMEES are describing the experience as therapeutic, uplifting and yes, life-changing.
It’s an excellent program heavily based in the healthcare setting but certainly not exclusive of it; all which is why I’m not just explaining but offering the opportunity and my humble honor to WRITE YOU POEM. So without further regards, here is an official invitation to any/all who might be interested. Hey, if nothing else, it’ll give you a great story to tell and maybe, if you’d like, a free cup of coffee or your favorite beverage, the cost of becoming a POEMEE (one for whom a personal poem is written).
Dear YOU
May I write you a poem? I’ve just completed taking a course on how to become a Listener Poet through The Good Listening Project, and as our final project we’re each writing custom poems for people we talk with. Your commitment would be a ~20 minute conversation with me over Zoom, phone or in person. You can talk about whatever you’d like. Afterwards, I’ll compose a custom, reflective poem based on the conversation and email it back to you.
Let me know if this sounds interesting and we can figure out a time to chat. Thanks for being open to helping me as I learn this process.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Chuck Behrens
chuckbehrens123@gmail.com
Here’s an example of an origin story and a poem that I had the honor of recently writing and presenting:
He chose the anointed name of Father Damien from Saint Father Damien of Molokai who was recognized for his work to people with leprosy who were in the Kingdom of Hawaii 1873-1889. Although, he never worked with lepers, he’s been a priest in a small village of Africa for nearly 50 years, helping children, mostly abandoned and sick. His message is simple, yet significant: “To go and not come back; I am one of you.”
“Sometimes the only medicine is the the greatest: Love.” He is a born-again personification of Saint Francis of Assisi. Unconditionally accepting and loving to all—even at the expense of his own physical decline. He comes back to the States, like now, only to receive the medical attention he requires as he already looks to a horizon far past our sights when he can “go and not come back.”
Here’s hoping you’ll accept my invitation
to not just become a POEMEE,
but to have your story heard and your poem, written.
Thanks for sharing this poem. It gives an understanding of someone dedicated not to himself but to an ethereal plain of dedication. The last six lines…man, just so poignant, so complete, so irresistible to the touch.
Joe, this is an incredible man, who came back here to for cataract surgery and for skin cancer surgery; he’s recovered well but I’ll never forget our many talks when he would knock on my door and asked, “Hey, you want to come out and play for a little bit?” He told me some great stories; when I offered to buy him a new pair of shoes to replace his tattered, “HOLEY” ones, he said he could never in good conscience accept anything that any of of the kids he cares for couldn’t have and then more powerfully, “THIS IS NOT MY HOME ANYMORE, HASN’T BEEN FOR NEARLY 50 Years; I’d rather die there sick and live here healthy.’ AMAZING; I’ve never written a FORM POEM before, but this one wrote itself in that form; thanks again for your support