The Therapy Poetry Podcast
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Hello and welcome back to episode four of Healing Through Poetry. Today, we are joined by Maria. I’m just going to hand it over to you to introduce yourself and give a bit of a backstory on the poem that you’re going to share with us today.
Maria:
Oh, thank you, Ricky. It’s beautiful to be here and support your podcast. I think poetry is a wonderful way to anchor into our soul’s wisdom. I’ve been writing mystic poetry this past year; it’s been pouring through me—complete and raw—like a descent of energy.
It’s been inspired by moments from the news, my experiences in motherhood, and the world around me. I look forward to eventually sharing these poetry books with the world.
This particular poem feels very important. I was deciding which one to share, and I felt I needed to let the poem choose itself. After the recent U.S. elections and seeing so many people experiencing fear, I hope that by reading this poem, we might tap into the deepest parts of ourselves—the parts of our souls that can feel fearless and present amidst conflict and humanity’s turbulent times.
This poem emerged one evening as I was settling my third child to bed. She was in her cot, and I was holding her hand, as I often do.
Like many parents, I was grieving.
I felt deep, acute grief about the ongoing wars and found myself contemplating my role as a human and as a mother, raising three children in this global crisis and amidst the suffering we’re witnessing.
In that moment, I had my forehead against the wooden part of her bed and I silently asked the “Great Mother,” a guiding archetype for me: How do I stay rooted in the heart of trust during these times? This is a place of surrender, and it’s from this place that my poetry rises.
After a moment of catharsis, I felt this poem come through, shedding tears as I surrendered to the release.
When I’ve read it to others, they’ve told me it resonated deeply with them. My hope in reading it today is that it may be of service wherever it’s needed.
Ricky:
I’m really looking forward to hearing your poem, so I’ll hand it over to you.
Maria:
The title of the poem is “The Great Mother’s Wisdom“
The answer to my question, my inquiry of how to stay rooted in trust, was as follows:
“My child, Trust in the infinite order beyond your human control.
Just before any birth, a mother feels excitement, fear, panic,
or even nostalgia for the loss of her single life and freedom.
She yearns deeply for merging with her newborn baby,
in awe of the miracle of life.
We are at this point in humanity—
The universal womb has expanded enough,
the first stretch marks have appeared.
Contractions come sharp and fast.
At the dawn of this new birth,
you’re asked to let go of old structures and plans.
The first sign of birthing is here—
pink and red, signaling that rebirth is imminent.
Though this is an ancient knowing in my eternal veins,
I need you, midwives of the soul,
for this new life to arrive.
My waters have broken; I flood you
with tears of pain and salvation.
All you’re called to do
is simply trust in the life divinely perfected to arrive,
and feel it unfurl within you, too.
You must surrender, my child,
and meet the contractions rising from my womb
with courage and deep presence.
Gather in a village; hold each other’s hands,
celebrate the birth of this shared pain.
Your mission as humanity
is to prepare the ground,
to catch this baby with bare hands.
The umbilical cord will always connect you to existence.
I will forever be your mother,
and you are forever loved and cherished.”
Ricky:
That was beautiful, Maria. I could really feel that deep connection between mother and child throughout. It’s such an intimate, refreshing way to express it.
Maria:
I’m so glad it resonated. The symbolism in the poem is significant; it’s the language of the soul. In contemplative traditions, there’s a belief in the interconnectedness of all things. This poem speaks to the birthing and changes happening within the world, and through the suffering and challenges we face, we are invited to choose love and trust over fear and division.
Ricky:
I can really see that. Earlier, you mentioned using poetry in a mystical way, almost as a medium for unconscious thoughts to surface. It’s as if the words bring out what was hidden in the back of your mind.
Maria:
Yes, when poetry flows like this, I feel a duty to release it without attachment because it doesn’t belong to just me. Mystical poetry especially feels like a shared wisdom, like distilled knowledge from our collective consciousness. It exists to serve a purpose, to offer a shared understanding that connects us through art.
Ricky:
I can feel that sense of release too. In therapy, self-expression is vital. It aids self-awareness and lets us let go.
Maria:
Exactly. For me, it’s like a birthing. If I don’t release it, it feels almost like an ache. It wants to come out purely for the joy of expression. My poetry isn’t rooted in any ambition but in a soul-driven place. I don’t sit down with the intent to write; it just emerges.
Ricky:
Thank you so much for coming on here today and sharing that beautiful piece with us. I’ll be putting your website in the description, along with information about your poetry books.
Maria:
Thank you, Ricky. It’s been a joy. I’m grateful for this space you’ve created, which connects poetry and psychotherapy. Poetry has become an essential part of my work with people. I even have a new offering for parents, helping them anchor in presence while raising children in turbulent times. It begins in a few weeks, and I’m happy to connect with anyone interested. Thank you again, Ricky.
Ricky:
Thank you, Maria.