What Is a Poetry Dive?

A Poetry Dive is an immersion in poetry, music, movement and spontaneous writing—a gently held space in which to listen inwardly and meet whatever may be quietly waiting beneath the surface.

You do not need to be a poet, a writer or even someone who usually reads poetry. There is nothing to perform and no expectation that you will produce a polished piece of writing.

You are invited simply to arrive, listen and respond.

The Origins of the Practice

I first encountered the Poetry Dive through my teacher Kim Rosen, author of Saved by a Poem, and my studies with the Poetry Mystery School.

Through this work, I discovered that a poem can be much more than something we understand intellectually. When it is spoken aloud and received through the body, a poem can touch us in unexpected places. A word, image or line may awaken a memory, feeling, question or recognition that the thinking mind could not have planned.

I have been sharing Poetry Dives for several years, both online and in person. Each one is different because every gathering, sequence of poems and group of people creates its own particular field.

What Happens During a Poetry Dive?

We begin by arriving together and creating a warm, respectful space for the practice.

There may be some gentle movement or an invitation to move freely with music. This helps us arrive more fully in the body and loosen our habitual ways of thinking and controlling.

From there, you are invited to rest back and receive a carefully chosen sequence of poems and music. You do not need to analyse the poems or try to remember them. You can simply listen and notice what touches you.

A phrase, image, memory or feeling may arise. You may feel deeply moved, or you may experience quietness, curiosity, resistance, laughter or spaciousness. There is no correct response and no particular experience you are expected to have.

After the listening journey, there is time for spontaneous—or “blurt”—writing. You allow the pen to move without editing, censoring or trying to make sense of what appears.

The writing does not need to be poetry. It does not need to be shared. It is simply another form of listening: giving words to something that may have been felt before it could be clearly known.

There is an optional opportunity to share your writing or something of your experience. You are equally welcome to remain silent.

“You are not leaving. You are arriving.”
—David Whyte, The Journey

Poetry Dive and Poetry Medicine

A Poetry Dive is generally experienced within a group. It weaves together several poems, music, movement and spontaneous writing to create an immersive journey.

Poetry Medicine may also form part of one-to-one work. In that setting, we can spend more time with one particular poem, listening to how it speaks into your own life and experience.

Both approaches honour poetry as something to be received through the body and heart—not simply interpreted by the mind.

What Do I Need?

Poetry Dives may be offered online or in person. You will usually need:

• Comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily

• A journal or paper

• A pen

• Water

• A quiet, private space if joining online

No previous experience of poetry, movement or writing is required. Everything is offered as an invitation, and you remain free to participate in the way that feels right for you.

Reflections from Participants

“The poems get through the cracks… and so also does the process.”
—LH

“Today it helped to resurrect me. Thank you for creating it.”
—BP

“What a gift you have for creating such unique and inspiring sessions.”
—CE

Join a Poetry Dive

Poetry Dives are offered from time to time through online gatherings, workshops and retreats.

Visit Events & Retreats to see forthcoming opportunities, or join the mailing list to hear when the next Poetry Dive is announced.

If you are interested in exploring Poetry Medicine within a one-to-one session, you can also read about the Approaches Within The Listening Field.