The fears we face

This is a piece that I wrote about how it feels to be a therapist sometimes.

Each day I create the space
For them to feel from
And heal from
The fears they face

Not being good enough
Not being important
Not mattering
The details differ
All our fears are the same

Couples fighting
Children screaming
Broken babies
Broken bones
Broken homes

Each day I hold the space
For them to feel from
And heal from
The fears they face

Domestic Violence, murder, rape
Child abuse, neglect
And crime scene tape
Shame, gangs, racism
Addiction and confliction
You can't hide
Blood from the mess
Of Suicide, genocide

I see all the pain in this world
I know it is a dark place
I create and hold the space
for them to feel from and heal from
The fears they face

Victims and witnesses
Rapists, murderers
The abused and abusers
Each a different rendition
Of this thing we call
The human condition

I hold their hand
As they journey down this painful path
I am only a passenger in this land
I cannot fix it and I cannot drive
Helping them to find
Better ways to seek love,
To survive

Sometimes I help retrieve their soul
Pieces shattered and scattered in their memories
Gathering the lost bits of the whole
Taken by people and time and places

I hold their secrets
Some Broken
Until this moment
Unspoken
It's an honor
And it's harsh

This intimate relationship
We share
I am the mirror
And the vessel
Holding the pain and horror
Of the world

So don't judge me so righteously
When I have no more room
To watch the news nightly
My capacity for the ugliness
Of humankind
Has reached it's limit
For today

My soul is here to heal
I was born this way
My purpose and dharma
Is exhausting today

I am the space
For them to feel from
And heal from
The fears they face

Until THEY can BE their own space
To heal
And feel
From the fears we all face

Jennesis2015

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i spent many years in therapy, searching for my space...and had a couple of exceptional therapists along the way...they were wonderful mirrors for me to reflect upon...

i really like the repetition of that one stanza in here...that reminder that there are those who can help us face our fears....we don't have to do it alone.

[Jennesis]

Thank you Jacob. I'm glad you had some good experiences. Because I know a lot of people who have bad experiences as well. And I love being the space for people. Even though sometimes it's exhausting. But there's something about writing about it that makes it feel better. I always appreciate the time you take to read my stuff. Thank you

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and i admire what you do---i had aspirations at one time....but ended up being an English teacher...i am in the right place, but sometimes still wonder, "what if?"

[Jennesis]

I hear that! After being in the field for 21 years I often wonder what if?? As well. I do know I am in the right place but I fantasize sometime about being a barista at Starbucks with no responsibility for anyone's life. :)

[Matching Socks]

This is very moving.
Those secrets are easier to share with a stranger, I think because we fear or worry about how those close to us will react. Good work here.

[deleted]

Very true poem. Great job!

[Angad Waraich]

This is really good,really really good.
The flow and word choices are exquisite.
Well done.

Thank You.
Angad.

[Jennesis]

Thank you so much Angdad! I appreciate it

[Angad Waraich]

You're most welcome.

P.S. You spelt my name wrong(don't worry no need to apologize just pointing it out, our fingers slip on the keyboard more often than naught)

[Jerome F Knox III pseud..]

another strong piece from you..you kept the theme ongoing from beginning to end

favorite lines

Couples fighting
Children screaming
Broken babies
Broken bones
Broken homes


this brings a brilliant realism and vulnerability to the poem....

So don't judge me so righteously
When I have no more room
To watch the news nightly
My capacity for the ugliness
Of humankind
Has reached it's limit
For today

perfect ending

Until THEY can BE their own space
To heal
And feel
From the fears we all face