In this activity, we invite you to explore the concept of ‘flexibility’ by responding to one of the poems below. Using poetry in this way – as a springboard for generating ideas on a topic – is a popular and proven writing for wellbeing technique. It’s worth noting that this is not ‘poetry criticism’; you do not need to unpick the poem’s meaning or uncover the poet’s motivation. This activity is purely about your own response to the essence of the poem as you see it, and to any individual words and phrases that call to you.
> To get the most from this activity, remember these guidelines
Consider your working life as it is right now. What does flexibility mean to you in this context? What does it look like? How comfortable does it feel? Keep these thoughts in mind as you read through the two very different poems below. You might also like to listen to the audio versions provided.
From the poem ‘It Takes Courage’ – Author Unknown
It takes strength to be firm,
It takes courage to be gentle.
It takes strength to conquer,
It takes courage to surrender.
It takes strength to be certain,
It takes courage to have doubt.
It takes strength to fit in,
It takes courage to stand out.
It takes strength to feel a friend’s pain,
It takes courage to feel your own pain.
It takes strength to stand alone,
It takes courage to lean on another.
It takes strength to love,
It takes courage to be loved.
It takes strength to survive,
It takes courage to live.
~
‘Kaleidoscope’ by Helen Overell
The closed and cuffed cardboard tube whispers
when shaken, and when held towards the light
marvels burst into being – pink and gold, blue
and green – petals as bright as buttercups or
spurred and even geometries of snow or else
a single straight-edged cell fit for a honeycomb,
each giving way with jostled sigh at the least
shift of wrist, the exact slip that filters light
never the same again; and with steady hand,
this can be passed to you – the vision shared.
Reproduced with permission from Helen Overell and Overstep Books Ltd
What was your initial response as you read the poems above? Which one most resonates with you? Choose the one that most appeals and complete the following:
- Read your chosen poem again, slowly, and note down any words or phrases that catch your attention.
- Reflect on these words or phrases for a moment. What intrigues you about them?
- Choose just one of the words or phrases you identified. Does it relate to your working life, or does it appear to be unconnected? Write for 5 minutes about why this word or phrase has resonated with you.
Once you have finished writing, you might like to read back over your words. What do you notice? Do they reveal anything unexpected or intriguing? What final thought will you take away with you now that the activity is over?
When you are ready, take a few deep breaths and stretch your body.
You might like to do this quick grounding activity to bring yourself back to the present moment.