We’re Here to Listen:
Your Story, Your Poem.
Caring for others takes time, heart, and energy—and it often leaves little space for your own voice. We invite you to take a moment just for yourself. In a short, one-on-one session with a trained Listener Poet, you’ll be heard with full presence. From your story, the poet will create a personalized poem for you to keep.
How It Works
Schedule your session. Choose a 20-minute time that fits your day, via Zoom or phone.
Share your story. A Listener Poet will listen deeply as you share whatever’s on your mind. There’s no script—you decide what you’d like to talk about.
Receive your poem. Within a few days, you’ll receive a custom poem that reflects your story.
Reserve Your Listener Poet Session
Provider Reflections
“From my standpoint as a physician, it really turned the tables to have someone really listen to me. It’s usually my job to listen to my patients.
I walked out feeling a small amount of joy I hadn’t felt before in my heart.”
About 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 question in advance of your session:
What’s something that’s been on your heart or mind lately?
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.
A Listener Poet talks with a clinician at Johns Hopkins Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., January 2020
The Good Listening Project brings the healing power of poetry and compassionate presence to healthcare and community settings across the country.