Perhaps the most often used of all poems in Poetry Therapy is this one by Robert Frost:

An interesting exercise is to write down all the places where the road diverged for you: where you had a choice to make in your life, creating a timeline of your life choices. Going to college, getting married, having children, taking a job, changing jobs, moving, divorcing… each of these major life decisions involved your making a choice between doing that and not doing that. Doing something or not doing something. How different your life would have been if you had not made the decisions you have made in your life! You might find regret* or deep satisfaction or a hearty mixture of these emotions as you look back over the choices you have made.

Try decorating the timeline in any interesting way. Maybe there are photos that you can use to illustrate the journey. I have done this several times, adding on to previous work on my timeline, illustrating with color and sparkles and anything to keep my interest. It has become its own reward, such an interesting and beautiful piece that marks my life’s passages. I have appreciated the honesty I can have with myself in looking over past choices.

Once in a while, we have an opportunity clearly presented to us, allowing us to make a conscious choice. Does that make it easier for you? Often it does not. I have a choice presenting itself to me right now. I recently went on a tour of our town’s homeless shelters, and it is very obvious that I could volunteer my time there doing poetry therapy with people. This could also be a literacy avenue for so many who need basic skills. I met one woman in particular who especially intrigued me, though inside myself, there is much fear about doing this kind of work. I am so different from them – will I be able to stand up to such diversity, truly different from the life that I lead? This is a decision that feels like a crossroad. Will I turn to meet new adventure on this unworn path?

I will let you know how it goes, in future columns here. I know that it is good for me to act as witness for the kind of change I hope to see happen in the world. Please tell me how you do this, too, how your life choices are creating your own future and how you think it will impact our shared world. There are so many writings out of this one view, transitions/crossroads. Please share with me and with others what you envision for yourself. It is always interesting and so often helpful to read how others live.

Here is the response from last month’s request for YOUR words in Dreaming a New World. Mary Dean Carter has sent in a short poem that says so much. Oh, if only the world was as our words can describe it! Thank you Mary! This is so beautiful and full of hope…

May we know the joy of fulfilling our dreams
May we dream the world alive and awake
May we awaken our dreams with joy

When we open our mouths to sing,
May we hear the beauty of our own voices,
May we see the beauty of the earth as
We sing the world a lullaby of peace.

— Mary Dean Carter

My hope is that we will use our words to heal ourselves, build our own lives into what we want them to be, and, together, to create the world that will shine hope for all. I will be honored if you choose to share your writing with me.

with peace,
Nessa

* Please seek the support of a qualified mental health professional if you have a deep emotional response. You can also contact me if you would like to discuss your writing further.