We’re inviting caregivers to share your experiences of caregiving – the moments of tenderness, challenge, love, and resilience that shape your journey. Our Listener Poets will transform your story into a custom poem – a gift for you to keep. With your permission, these anonymized poems will also be gathered into an anthology to honor and amplify the voices of those who care for others.
The process is simple and offered at no cost to you: you’ll talk 1:1 with a Listener Poet (via Zoom or phone) for ~20 minutes. You can share about whatever you’d like to have a poem about. You’ll then receive an anonymized custom poem based on the conversation. Don’t worry–you don’t need to write the poem; your Listener Poet does this for you! This unique opportunity is designed to provide you with dedicated time to reflect on and share your experiences and stories in a safe and supportive setting.
Getting started: schedule your Listener Poet sessions here
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Choose a time on the calendar for your one-on-one Listener Poet session. When confirming, you do not need to enter an access code.
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We’ll send you a calendar invite with a Zoom link for each session. If you opted to participate by phone, your Listener Poet will call you at the start of your session.
More About the Program
Your One-on-one Listening Session
There’s no need to prepare for your session, but you’re welcome to consider what you might like your poem to be about in advance if you’d like.
Your poem can be about anything meaningful to you. There’s no right or wrong focus—what matters most is that it’s personal and significant to you. If it’s helpful, you could reflect on the following questions in advance of your session:
How has your experience as a caregiver impacted your view of life, illness, or purpose?
As a caregiver for others, how do you also care for yourself?
Your Listener Poet will write your poem based on the conversation, and email it to you within five days of your session. You will have the opportunity to suggest edits before the poem is finalized. The poem will be anonymized and is yours to keep and share however you’d like.
More Questions?
Share your questions with us here, and a TGLP program coordinator will get back to you asap!
“You are forever remembered for yourself and for the compassion you extended to me.
The time was harsh and lonely. You listened and absorbed my sorrow and longing for my husband. The gift of your poem was tender and lifted me to another realm. It sits framed with feelings of love for my late husband and for you.”
A Listener Poet talks with a clinician at Johns Hopkins Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., January 2020