Creative Writing

 

I use creative writing as part of my counselling, coaching and all my training and educational work. The written word can be used during sessions as a means to help clients and participants focus on certain issues. Creative writing can stimulate, inspire and provoke reactions.

 

The following are examples of writings I have used in my work. I have clearly denoted where they are written by me and where they were written by someone else. I am perfectly happy for you to copy any of my work and use as you feel appropriate. If you do use any of the following it would be good to hear from you.

 

The Group by Paul Vittle: used in training work to encourage self awareness

The Group

I arrived today and I thought about you

I wanted you to sit next to me in case we touched… no brushed

But you sat opposite me in the circle - exposed

I looked and I counted - twice our eyes met and moved away

Last week we learnt to talk and listen - you did

And before that to think of relationships

But it doesn't make sense for me

I can't talk - I can't share with you - the group - my pain

 

I do inside my head at night in the dark - when you are with me

We touch and you are warm and smell - so special

You see - I paint with words - but I can't talk

I've stopped now because my head is overflowing

 

I'll try and tell it as it is - my prepared speech - for the next time

I'm a friend to everyone but no one ‘friends' me - not for real

I'm fun - I'm free - I'm false

Long time ago I was hurt I was hit I was - used - enough

I play the film a million times

 

I knew it wouldn't come out right - I can't trust you see

The rhythm has gone I am confused - I've lost it

 

I waited and it's come back - I want you to hold me as a child

Tell me it is all right - tell me to breathe and feel my heart

 

Now I close the door and shut it all away - in the dark - empty

Yes I admit I wear a mask and I play a masking tape

To joke - yes and to get a sharp edge keeping one from the other

 

Can this group ever understand? Why do you avoid my stare?

I look in your eyes and see me reflected

I hold back the tears - swallow - and smile a camouflage grin

Perhaps the group - next week - or with you tonight?

 

Order The Parents is a piece I wrote for all the Parents I work with who have been given a Parenting Order as a result of their son or daughter getting into trouble

and having to go to court. Many parents feel that they are being punished.

 

Order The Parents

 

Tell it as it is

But that won't do

Can't tell can't show

Because it is not all my fault

But that won't do

‘Cause it feels I'm to blame

I helped make or I gave birth

Or I am the partner

I'm held to account

But that won't do.

 

I have responsibility

I take responsibility

But what about YOU?

You the son

You the daughter

You the world

You the ‘other people'

Will you take your share?

It often feels not

But that won't do.

 

My child's in trouble

Upset the law

Is .. was .. addicted to self

Appears not to care

But that won't do

It's not good enough

You need to know me

The torture I feel

The fingers all point

On trial – it is me.

 

So tell it as it is

That ‘will' do

I am expected to love

To shed endless blood

The role of the parent

To give life to you

But you take all my air

You sap all my life

You throttle my joy

And confuse my desire.

 

And yet I know there must be more

I want to love you more again

I want to listen

I want to hold

Be held

I want to console

I want you to understand

I want to be on your journey with you

I want to let you go

Yes that will do.

 

So I am learning to change

To see a new view

To pause and be silent

To believe in my worth

To learn the new skills

Yes that will do

But you all the people must change just as much

The world and the family the values for us

I need not to be Ordered but Order as such

And anything less will not do.

 

 

Ring of Love by Paul Vittle: used in relationship training

Ring of Love

I remember so well, the games, the laughter, the childlike behaviour

Two grown up children fighting the passing years

No need to worry about time, or think of others

Just enjoying the moment

 

Then, discussions mingled with fun, anxieties mixed with joy,

There was caring, concern, feeling responsible

It just happened

The I became a we

We had fallen in Friendship

 

And then the pleasures of meeting and going places together, similar interests

My friends became our friends

Talking families and childhood

Fun quarrels about un-shared tastes, a coming together of different values

Peeling back more layers of feelings, ambitions, hopes and fears

The we became a bond

 

The dragging of time apart, the pain of putting down the phone

The further exploration of minds, personalities and souls

Being to others, an item, a couple; all smiles and closeness

Learning the skills of loving, accommodating, the inevitable compromise

The pleasure of bodies united, of wanting to give, of receiving with gratitude

We are together: had fallen in Love,

 

Never wanting to douse the fire, the passion, the burning desire to express that love

More than ever, to shout out loud that we want our alliance to last for eternity

 

Growing up and growing together, the we, the us, is one

Negotiated and agreed commitment, promises undertaken with devotion

A journey continuing with faith, determination, and lasting desire

 

Friends, Lovers, Permanent Partners, and hopefully…. full circle

 

The games…. the laughter…. the childlike behaviour….

 

If you would like to see more examples of my creative writings and how I use them in my work please contact me. paul.vittle@lifecoachingplus.co.uk

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