The Weavers Gathered. A room full of women, supporting, sharing and working through trauma together…..
Close to one year ago, I attended a class called From Trauma to Triumph. It is based on the work of Penny Simkin, PT and Phyllis Klaus, MFT in their book When Survivors Give Birth. It was an intensely powerful weekend and I highly recommend this training to anyone who serves people around the childbearing year. According to the national organization, RAINN , 1 out of every 6 female bodied people in the US are the victims of rape or attempted rape. This means that if you work with women you will support someone who is a survivor of sexual assault. The RAINN website is an excellent resource for both information and support. Again, please consider learning all you can to help support these families.
Part of the class involved each participant declaring a gift that they would like to give every person who is the survivor of sexual assault to help them on the path to healing. As we went around the room, speaking our thoughts, I wrote down what each woman shared. I then asked permission from the group to someday write a poem about our intentions. This poem has since then been percolating in my soul and has finally come to completion. I share it here with the hopes that it can lend support and strength.
The Weavers
The Weavers gather
Time slips, faces shift, eyes stir
The Weavers remember
These textiles have been woven for eons
The threads entwine, are imbued with many prayers
Prayers to envelope the soul and shelter the heart
Generation upon generation has added their fibers
The Weavers gather
Time slips, faces shift, eyes stir
The Weavers protect
This cord brings in freedom; to be in a state of serenity
This cord gives the power to prevail; to conquer and defeat fear.
This cord brings hope; to believe and to trust
This cord gives wholeness; to be intact
The Weavers gather
Time slips, faces shift, eyes stir
The Weavers reflect
This strand restores strength to heal
This strand adds security from harm
This strand reclaims an ancient energy to empower
This strand emboldens courage
The Weavers gather
Time slips, faces shift, eyes stir
The Weavers revive
This thread gives consent; to approve or deny
This thread brings self-respect; for dignity of character
This thread gives love; for tenderness and attachment
This thread brings liberation; for them to soar above
The Weavers gather
Time slips, faces shift, eyes stir
The Weavers remember
The cloak is full; dark and starry, light and sunny
The cloak is brought by the Weavers
Draped around our shoulders to soothe and console
It has always been and will always be
The Weavers, they gather.
Image credit Aubre Tompkins
What a nurturing poem of hope.
Thank you for sharing.
Lovingly,
Charlee
Thank you.
Beautiful! Just ordered the book from the library!
Happy to hear this, it is a great book and resource.