An ode to my therapist, Delia

a poem about an experience of counselling / psychotherapy

I am instinct

I am life,

You reached me there, sharp like a knife.

I am instinct

I am knowing,

You reached me there, helped with my growing.

I am instinct

I am wild,

You reached me there, reached for my child.

I am instinct

I can discern,

You reached me there, helped me to learn.

MYSELF and DELIA, TWO CHAIRS

Two feet apart

(And in the middle there is psyche),

You sit there, still, see in my heart.

We meet in person and in dreams

(In that safe green place of growth),

You sit there, still, not what it seems.

MYSELF and DELIA, TWO CHAIRS

Space to reflect

(You hold the mirror),

You sit there, still, and we connect.

MYSELF and DELIA, TWO CHAIRS

A plant, stone child with bag of rocks and gems for healing

(And images of horror and green staircases and doors),

You sit there, still, still feeling …..

….. For you are instinct

You are life,

You feel the pain, sharp like a knife.

You are instinct

You are knowing,

From within, you help with growing.

You are instinct

You are wild,

I think you too, have a little child.

You are instinct

You can discern,

And that is how you helped me learn.

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

It is a little bit difficult to determine who is addressing whom, but what we are seeing here is the relationship between a therapist and a young client. I would guess the child mentioned is the inner child of the client, maybe identical with instinct. The feeling is that Delia suffered some horrible type of abuse, and the therapist's efforts have helped her deal with it. Sometimes there really are happy endings.

[Helen]

thank you for this John the Baptist. I changed the title to deal with some of the ambiguity. It made me realise that I had almost hidden some information from the reader and expected them to understand. Delia is the therapist. The child is the inner child and is, for me, synonymous with Instinct - the place inside me that knows all I need to know. In terms of poetry, this Instinct is also my Creative Intelligence, the place within from which my poetry flows when I am in touch with it. The client is not young - she is in her 50s or so - but, yes sometimes there really are happy endings, It is never too late!

[Haley]

This hit me, it made my heart skip, as I resonate with this. It's a beautiful poem and reminds me of my hardships with therapists. I have been seeing them since I was young and have now seen 16, only 2 of them actually helping or listening. With that being said, therapy is a great tool if you have the right person! Really great job.

[Helen]

Even this one yawned while I was talking at times, but she did help me reach some deep insight around some things that I needed to deal with.

It was the process I found amazing - that I would sit with her for 50 minutes each week never knowing what was going to come up and yet in the in between times, things happened in my life that were definitely a result of that 50 minutes. Thank you for your comment Haley and I wish you love and joy on your onward journey. Life is not always easy.

[Anushka joshi]

Nicely drafted ... I loved the piece .
The title is justified and simplified as well ... The way you symbolized it was amazing ...
👍
-AJ

[Chris Shaw]

I related very much to these lines. Two chairs and Delia. About seven years ago, I sought the help of a therapist when times were particularly tough. You reminded me how they can push buttons. My inner child cried like hell, I didn't even know she had been unhappy. Growth comes through release. You learn about yourself in a different way. Good reading Helen. Conveyed well. Happy New Year.

Chris

[Helen]

Thank you Chris - happy new year. Here's to less tough times and happier inner children :)