Poetic Medicine

UCSF MERI Center Poetic Medicine

The UCSF MERI Center facilitates three different poetic medicine groups: Loss, Losing, & Loosening, Poetic Medicine for the Wounded Healer, and Food for Thought. Through these sessions we have created an amazing community that spans the globe. Take a peek:

Food for Thought

Fridays, 11:00 AM  - 12:00 PM Pacific

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Our first poetic medicine group which focuses on resilience. 

YouTube Playlist

Weekly Prompts on Google Drive

Poetic Medicine for the Wounded Healer

Twice a month on Wednesdays, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Pacific

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Many of us, whether we identify as being in the “healing arts” or not, have wounds that we understand as the foundation of our own ability to heal and to have compassion for others. In these sessions, we will open to whatever it is we consider our own “wounded places” and allow our poem-making to be part of our healing process. 

YouTube Playlist

Weekly Prompts on Google Drive

 

Loss, Losing, & Loosening

Tuesdsays, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific

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This group focuses on grief and healing. Loss, Losing & Loosening was coined by Eric Poche. 

Loss

Loss is an irrevocable event that includes:
Shock, Numbness      
            Inability to feel the pain

Denial
            Determination to suppress the truth of your experience: It didn’t really happen.

Yearning
            Denial of the permanence of the loss

Losing

Acknowledgement of the pain of the loss that includes:
Depression
            Loss of appetite, loss of sleep, anxiety, self-doubt

Sorrow
            Tears, withdrawal, overwhelming sadness, “This will never end”

Anger
            “If only…;”  “How could s/he leave me now;” The “if onlys”; the little angers

Disorganization         
            Inability to concentrate on usual tasks or responsibilities.  Inability to act in meaningful ways; immobilization

Loosening

Integration of the loss in one’s life:
Adjustment to an environment where loss is a reality
            Putting away the painful reminders

Emotionally relocating loss and moving on with one’s life
            Gradually accepting the permanence of loss

A New Normality
            Who am I now?

YouTube Playlist

Weekly Prompts on Google Drive

Poetic Medicine Anthologies

The Poems that Flow Through Us #1

The Poems that Flow Through Us #2

The Poems that Flow Through Us #3

The Poems that Flow Through Us #4

The Poems that Flow Through Us #5

If you would like hard copies of any of our anthologies, please make a donation of $25/copy and email us at [email protected] with your order and mailing address.