By Jen Hunt, LPC
Sometimes, when my patients are working on an exercise in session, I have a few moments to myself. Occasionally, I use that time to write them a rough draft of a poem, which I give to them at the end of the session. Here are some of the ones I've done over the years. (All identifying information has been removed.)
My Savior is with me
All day and night
He’s led me through valleys
I’ve found the green grass
I’m peaceful, contented,
His child first and last
His burden is easy,
His yoke holds me fast.
--
What’s it like to play all day?
What’s it like to have something
to say?
Something to share and someone who
cares
Someone who stays and dries all my
tears?
I never knew that in my childhood,
years
But I can explore that now, in
here
Or in a journal to myself
A note with my inner child’s help.
--
Held back for a time
The next year is mine
I’ve said my goodbyes
On God’s wings I’ll fly
With worship, healing, friends in
view
I am ready for him to make all
things new.
--
Wherever I go
There I am
A calm, collected self I am
In touch with my feelings
In touch with my dreams
The next year will unfold
Beautifully.
--
There’s lots to like about me
But I can’t always see it
There’s lots to like about me
But I can’t always see
The good in me God put there
I’m really not sure why
But I’m learning how to like me
Because God says I shine
With many glitters of his gory
I’m his and he is mine.
--
What a joy to know weight lifted
Free from my inner despair
Left my secrets on the altar
From God’s hand been given care
No longer bound, no longer victim
Released from sin and shame
“Beloved Daughter” is my
Eternal state and name.
--
Freedom is coming
This I know
When fears arise,
To the Lord I go
My gentle shepherd
Protects his sheep
I can rest and sleep in peace.
--
I’ve been through a lot
But this one thing I know
I’ve got a wonderful places to go
Good head on my shoulders
Dreams high and wide
I will do valiantly,
In my corner of the sky.
--
There’s a room just for you
Where you’ll grow and explore
Finding your way
To freedom’s door
Good head on your shoulders
And friends near and far
You will do fabulously
Wherever you are.
--
I thought the road had ended
But it had just begun
A part of me was hidden
Behind what ifs and shame
But now I’ve got a future
By finding me again
Archery and fishing
Hanging out with friends
I thought the road had ended
But it had just begun.
--
However did I get here?
Whatever did I drink?
Laying it all on the table
It was easier than you’d think.
--
Sometimes life gets boring
I’m facing it alone
In my room my tears are pouring
There’s nothing to be done
I wonder if it’s worth it
To take another breath
Part of me feels hopeless
Part of me wants death
But that’s not the deepest part of
me
That’s not what brought me here
I want a life worth living
Joy and laughter, good friends
near.
Sometimes I forget
The worth I have
All I can see are flaws
But with help I will remember
I am lovely, quirks and all.
--
You might try to fool me
But I’m not gonna be fooled
You might try to use me
But I won’t be your muse
I’ve got a lot of anger
Poking at my sleeves
If there’s anything you taught me
It’s I’m never gonna please
Some people some times
So I’d be better off pleasing
This broken heart of mine
I’m tired of blaming myself
For what you’ve done
I know when I am valued
I’ve found the perfect one
You might try to fool me…
--
There’s times when I forget you
Yet you’re always there
There’s times I fear I’ve hurt you
Yet you’ve always cared
I wonder why I slip into
Living like you’re not
Lord help me to be quiet
And wait for what you’ve got
A heaven that’s for certain
A kingdom that is here
You’ll never stop hearing
So I’ll bring my every fear.
--
Truths to uncover
Wounds to heal
So much strength though
The pain is real
Finding your way
To a life lived full
Rising from ashes
Loved and beautiful.
--
Before you float
You must leave the shore
Where everything’s safe, tidy, moored
But only in the water’s deep
Will you reach the height
You were meant to leap
Nothing is easy
Nothing is cheap
He gives to his beloved
Even in his sleep.
--
Everything is shifting
I’m on sinking sand
I’m getting kinda shaky
Wherever can I stand?
Please show me how to follow
With everything I’ve got
--
I’ll let my yes be yes
And my no be no
I won’t be afraid
To let me feelings show
Life’s too short
To keep it inside am me
Heart open wide
I can’t please everyone
All the time
But I can be me
And that’s just fine.
--
There’s a tug o war
Inside o me
Keeping me from feeling free
I’d like to have some peace inside
I’d like to feel arms open wide
To get my sad and worried parts
From making wars and causing
fights
I think I’ll find a nicer way
By making friends with me today.
--
There are times I wonder
If I’m just taking up space
From someone more important
Someone smart or pretty-faced
But then I recall how Jesus
Loved the least of these
He tells me I belong here
Cause he created me.
--
Unstoppable is my word of the year
I’m leaving behind
Perfectionism, anxiety, fear
Good head on my shoulders
Good future to scout
Friends new and older
I’ll figure it out
Jesus, my pilot
Will guide me each day
Unstoppable me
Nothing’s getting in my way.
--
heard wisdom spoken
Not going to let it
ruin my day
I'm a survivor
Come what may.
--
A part of me is groaning
another's afraid to hope
I'm caught between the longing
and the shame of trying to cope
He hasn't gotten better
if anything, gotten worse
but here I am worrying
if I'll end up as his nurse
A part of me has courage
and knows a better way
I'm ready now to listen
and give my heart a break
Lord, help me with the sadness
Lord, help me with the grief
As lonely as I feel now,
I know you'll never leave.
---
I'm spreading my wings
I'm ready to fly
No holding me back
I'm touching the sky
Fears won't define me
I've learned how to stay
Strong in myself
At school and at play
Hope on the horizon
Grace in my heart
My future is waiting
I'm ready to start
God, give me the grace
to not put you aside
amid all the hustle
amid all my pride
I know you go with me
I'm never alone,
Your unfailing love
is my forever home.
___
I'm coming undone;
I'm coming undone.
I'm not sure when it will end
Or where it had begun.
Things are unraveling
to my left and my right
tears have been my companion
all through the night
My pillow is damp
Can't get out of bed
At times in this pain, I feel
I'd be better off dead.
Lord, help I'm drowning!
The shrapnel is real
I don't know what to think
or how to feel.
Cradle me tenderly
close to your chest
Remind me you see beauty
when all I see is mess.
___
