The challenges I have taken on, endured and enjoyed in my life have generally been physical ones. If there is a medal, I will run it! But when it comes to emotions I am stereotypically British and always prefer to shy away from any real expression.  I spent 6 months of pregnancy embarrassed to tell anyone I was with child.  So reluctantly, but out of respect and wanting to support my colleagues and friends I attended the poetic symposium at Medway.

What happened for me was like an earthquake; the Poetic Nursing Heart challenged me emotionally.  This is not something I find in anyway comfortable and had certainly not desired but I was so inspired by those who I witnessed taking part that I feel a changed person. It broke through my armour and stabbed me right in the feels.

While I sat listening and sketching (anything to avoid eye contact) I was moved by the heart breaking openness, honesty and raw emotion that poured from those who shared. Not only their words which shook my internal world but the way they delivered them, with confidence in such a nurturing and encouraging environment.  I can say for certain that I will definitely be attending another and who knows, maybe I will share something.  I make no promises but I will endeavour to listen and see what my newly born poetic heart asks of me.

Christine Wright

Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work

[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in] By E.E. Cummings

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)