Poetry and Self-Reflection

Hello all! We’ve had a lot of interviews and OT history on the blog recently. For today, I want to change things up and present to you a poem from OTD student at Midwestern University, Tara Schoen. I want to thank her for taking the time to write this wonderful poem and for allowing me to share it with all of you!

It’s a beautiful poem that discusses death and our connection to the people we love. It also shows how OTPs can utilize creative writing as a therapeutic tool in our practice. Also, please feel free to check out the interview that I did with Tara where she explains her methods behind writing it. 

Spring always makes me think of new beginnings. The melting of snow brings fresh flowers and the chance to finally put away the heavy winter coat. The changing of seasons shows how a different perspective can make a huge difference, it can turn a street of slippery ice and snow into the road less traveled on the way to vacation!  

For as much time as OTPs and OT/OTA students spend reading articles and textbooks, and writing research; we can also benefit from being reminded of the value of our profession through a different lens. The poem and short story that you read below express the values of occupational therapy in a refreshing light! 

Thank you to all those who submitted their creative writing. It was so inspiring to read about what occupational therapy meant to you.