Truth Tale #10: Pantoum? Ok.

I’m doing a writing workshop with some authors I admire and love. I had done the first two segments, and saw that the next workshop included the word POEM. My first thought was to skip this altogether….because…who writes poetry? I don’t. I’ve never had an interest in it. Seems boring, and confining, and something that English people did in the 1800s. And THAT is not me.

Luckily, my eye caught some words in the description of this writer leading this session…I see….The Writing Doula…Doula! I was a postpartum doula and love everything about the meaning of this word. That is what got me to listen. Preconceived notions and judgement were shattered by this incredible woman…Linda Jones.

She stated that she helps people give birth to their words. At that moment, I fully trusted her to lead into this unknown territory. She mentioned words I have never heard of…Pantoum, was one of them. She helped us create our own pantoum…a 4 stanza piece. It was mind blowing. I have never felt so supported and sure of my thoughts as I did during this exercise.

Some of her words that felt like a warm, soft hug that rang so loudly to me were- flow….go with your first thoughts…flow….trust yourself.

The prompt for this exercise was this- Think of something that makes you smile. I won’t go into the entire process of all 4 stanzas, but it’s good to know the bones of the 1st one.

Prompt- think of something that makes you smile..

Line 1- write that, line 2- elaborate on that, line 3- write your reaction to that, line 4- write whatever you want.

Here is what came from me during this spectacular experience….

Baby pictures of my kids. I can smell their baby smells, hear their little baby sounds; I go back. I’m in awe of my smile and my tears, that they occur at the same time. I miss that time.

I can smell their baby smells, hear their little baby sounds; I go back. The cheeks, the eyelashes, even their delicious baby breath. I miss that time. I ache over the depth of love that I feel.

The cheeks, the eyelashes, even their delicious baby breath. I want it back. I ache over the depth of the love I feel. I know there is no way back.

I want it back. I’m in awe of my smile and my tears, that they occur at the same time. I know there is no way back. Baby pictures of my kids.

I’m still swirling from the experience. It was a profound moment on many levels…my take away being- just be open to things you don’t know about, even if you think you have no interest; you just might….