The healing power of poetry has always held a special place in my heart, both personally and in my work with clients. It’s a form of self-expression that allows us to voice our deepest emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a way that is raw, authentic, and often profoundly healing. For many in recovery, poetry can serve as a powerful tool for reflection, release, and self-discovery. It helps transform struggles into words and emotions into cathartic release, giving voice to the internal battles that might otherwise remain unspoken.
As someone who has walked through the challenges of recovery myself, I’ve found that writing and reading poetry has been an incredible way to process my journey. Whether it’s about capturing moments of triumph, grappling with setbacks, or simply making sense of my emotions, poetry has been a safe outlet—free from judgment and full of meaning.
Here is a poem I wrote about my story that reflects the healing power of poetry. I recited from memory during an open mic night at a venue called “Chocolate Secrets”—how appropriate!
CHOCOLATE
It is in this closet, my little dark room
Where my racing thoughts always loom
A floor where my loud flaws lay
Curled up reliving the play by play
My mind strives to make sense and sort
My kitty’s purr and paw being my only comfort
I can’t even have some, you see, chocolate is evil
One small piece causing complete upheaval
How did I get here
Why can’t I steer
Away from this thing called an eating disorder
I just want to cross the skinny border
If I could just follow the rules
And stick to all my diet tools
Then maybe the scale will gift me
With love ultimately, my plea
Why can’t I just reach my low number
My high-achieving self must be in slumber
Food compulsions always lurking in the shadows
Binging, purging no one knows
But that is the only thing that ends my anxious shake
This all makes me feel like such a fake
The world keeps praising as I perform and shine
So, I keep up the facade, that all is fine
Yet my body is screaming
And my mind keeps scheming
It is my hunger that I want to kill
I just keep hearing I need more power and will
Starving sounds so much better
Dear self, can’t we just take up that letter
Because you see in this realm, the sickest will win
Hoping for a moment to feel okay in my skin
The sickest will win, oh my, that is crazy
My intellect is so so hazy
Maybe it is my taste buds to blame
Seeking forbidden pleasure, like chocolate, I must tame
And this haunting pursuit for complete perfection
Just wanting peace with my own reflection
Yes, peace, that’s it, so I come out of my closet
My last resort, is asking God, please pause it
No, actually with tears, I chose to surrender
Please end this, with your love so tender
You say all things can be used for good
I want to believe you, and know I should
I give up; I give it to you
No longer believing myths and turning to what is true
That was then, and this is now
As I stand before you, I am telling you how
I broke the chains of Bulimia
Which felt like climbing great Olympia
Now headed to seventeen years free
Helping others, like the old me
Healing hearts, for that is where it starts
God, you did not lie
You used my battle for good, this is my happy cry
Now with this creative expression
Sharing without secret or question
Stepping out, in this chocolate house, just WOW
The irony is not lost on me, as I take a bow
-Sarah
My Courage Clients
I’ve also had the privilege of witnessing the healing power of poetry firsthand through many of my clients, some of who have graciously shared and I want to highlight.
Liz
Liz’s poem is a deeply introspective journey through faith, identity, and self-nurturing. She weaves together the personal and the universal, capturing how small, everyday acts—like choosing food or embracing imperfection—are tied to something much greater. Her words reflect both the grounding presence of her faith and the ever-present challenge of being human, offering a heartfelt glimpse into her world.
WHERE AM I FROM
I am from the one and only
From my creator and creator of earth
Out from my chosen mom’s womb
I am from a place where everything is bigger
The only place I lived my whole life
Where the weather is unpredictable in the winter season
I am what I was chosen as a baby
Liz, God’s daughter, secret
From my family, friends, and coworkers.
I am the cheapest ice cream restaurant
Where they sell delicious burgers
I am an online delivery app
Where I choose my food and tip to support
I shop near my house for fresh groceries
Where I nourish my mind, body, and spirit.
I am from sin, where I am not perfect
But I am trying
When I am angry, anxious, overthinking
I pray and have faith
I have my days where I lose hope
But overall, God saves me every time in His own way
I am Liz, His daughter
-Liz
KD
KD’s poem is a raw and haunting reflection on loss, self-destruction, and survival as she found the healing power of poetry. With striking imagery and an unfiltered voice, she takes us through the wreckage of a love that once was, the desperate attempts to fill the void, and the hard-won realization that choosing oneself is the only way forward. Through pain and resilience, her words remind us that healing is messy, nonlinear, and, most of all, deeply personal.
BUT YOU LEFT ME, REMEMBER?
Oh, but we know, you left me in spirit first.
Left
Abandoned
Stranded
and
Alone.
I had to choose to continue to go,
To move forward,
One day at a time.
No matter how much it killed me
Each day
Knowing you were out there
And I was here.
Waiting
Hoping
Loading….
The software crashed,
Our files got corrupted,
And I could no longer see
It being you
And it being me.
When it came to the end,
For you could not love me
No matter how much I loved you.
At some point,
I had to choose me.
And I promised myself; I think I swore it—
I’d never love someone the way I loved you.
So I didn’t.
I went on,
Numbed,
Praised God,
Fellowshipped.
I continued to f-up,
By f-ing my life away.
I went to another
Far too quickly
Because they were there.
You were not.
Barely old enough to vote,
Yet old enough to remember a life that was so long ago.
In this lifetime?
I suppose it’s the same.
But I’m different, I’m stronger.
To wander back a bit,
I kept falling,
I kept starving myself,
Giving myself away.
Self-destruction.
Sabotaging anything that I came into contact with.
Bulldozing through life.
Nonetheless,
I kept going.
Going
(Let’s get married!)
Going
(Let’s drop out of college.)
Going
(Let’s get divorced.)
Going
(Let’s plan our suicide.)
Going
(Let’s numb the pain, hoping we will die.)
Going
(Let’s have a baby!)
Going
(Let’s have another!)
Going
(Let’s break our family into pieces.)
Going
(Let’s restart.)
Gone.
You do not have a hold on me anymore.
-KD
Lilly
Lilly’s poem is a powerful meditation on faith, self-worth, and the battle between control and surrender. She grapples with the tension between her eating disorder and her spiritual beliefs, wrestling with the idea of identity and divine creation. Her words carry both a raw honesty and a longing for freedom—an acknowledgment of the past and a plea for healing. It’s a moving testament to the struggle of letting go and trusting in something greater as she explores the healing power of poetry.
SURRENDER
I fear the judgment of the world,
But God is the ultimate judge.
I hate my body and want to change it,
But I’m made in the image of God.
What gives me any right to change what God has created?
I can be anxious,
But that’s not my identity.
I can be depressed,
But that’s not my identity.
I have an eating disorder,
But that’s not my identity.
Jesus, oh thank you for your love,
I can have faith knowing you watch me from above.
But I’m scared, oh God please hear my plea,
I want a body that honors you but makes me happy.
But I’ve come to learn the hard way that that’s a stupid expectation and lie,
No matter what I do, the image of my body will be twisted in my mind.
They don’t understand that the ED served a purpose,
It helped me not allow my emotions to bubble to the surface.
But why leave my emotions buried underneath?
Isn’t it better to feel it before it peaks?
There was more to it of course, but that needs to be unpacked.
Vulnerability, although precious to me now, was something that I used to lack.
Oh Jesus please help me,
I must surrender it all,
But the eating disorder gets angry and does not like that at all.
—Lilly
The act of writing poetry can help clients like Liz, KD, Lilly—and myself—process emotions that are often too complex or painful to articulate otherwise. It’s an avenue for self-expression and healing, as well as a reminder of who we are at our core, beyond the struggles we face. Through poetry, we can reclaim our voice, rediscover our strength, and find a renewed sense of hope.
How to Begin or Learn Poetry in Recovery: Unlocking the Healing Power of Poetry
Starting with poetry doesn’t require formal training or a specific talent—it’s about finding a way to express what’s inside in a way that feels authentic to you. Here are a few ways to begin:
Free Writing and Stream-of-Consciousness
Set aside a few minutes each day to write whatever comes to mind, without worrying about structure, grammar, or rhyme. This unfiltered approach can help you explore deeper emotions and thoughts that may not be immediately accessible. It’s often in this process of unfiltered writing that you can begin to uncover poetic expressions of your journey.
Journaling and Reflection
Begin by writing about your day, your thoughts, or your emotions. Once you’ve written a few lines, try to rework parts of what you’ve written into more poetic language. Play with imagery, rhythm, and metaphors. You may find that what started as a simple journal entry evolves into something much more creative and poetic.
Read Poetry Regularly
Reading poetry is one of the best ways to learn about it. By immersing yourself in different styles, voices, and structures, you can begin to understand how poets use language to convey emotions, tell stories, and express complex ideas. Start with poets whose work resonates with you, whether they write about recovery, faith, or personal experiences. Allow their words to inspire you, and experiment with writing in response to what you read.
Write in Short Forms
If the idea of writing a full poem feels overwhelming, try writing shorter poems, like haikus or acrostic poems. These forms have specific structures that provide a helpful framework for your writing. For example, a haiku, with its 5-7-5 syllable structure, challenges you to express a thought or feeling concisely and creatively. Using smaller forms can also help you focus on specific emotions or moments in your recovery journey.
Use Prompts for Inspiration
If you’re feeling stuck, prompts can be a great way to spark creativity. You might choose to write a poem about your recovery, a moment of peace, or an image that represents strength to you. Prompts can help focus your thoughts and guide your writing, especially if you’re not sure where to begin. Here are a few examples of prompts to get you started:
- Write a poem about something that has helped you heal.
- Describe a moment when you felt truly at peace.
- Write about an object that represents your strength or resilience.
- Use the phrase “I am from…” and explore the places, people, or experiences that have shaped you.
Join a Writing Group or Workshop
If you feel comfortable, consider joining a poetry group or attending a workshop. Sharing your writing with others can provide valuable feedback and encouragement. It also creates a sense of community, as you can learn from others’ experiences and be inspired by their words. Many online platforms offer writing workshops specifically for recovery or mental health, where you can connect with others who are also exploring poetry as a tool for healing.
Here are a few more eating disorder recovery poems to inspire you to embrace your healing power of poetry, published on Project HEAL: Finding Meaning in the Chaos: A Collection of Recovery Poems.
Remember, the beauty of poetry is that there are no right or wrong ways to do it. It’s a personal journey of discovery, and there’s no need to rush. Allow yourself to write without judgment and enjoy the process of finding your voice. Whether you’re just beginning or have been writing for a while, poetry can be a powerful ally.
Visit my Eating Disorder Recovery Blog to explore additional writings and gain access to free eating disorder recovery resources.
