Grief Goes With

An Impromptu Poem & An Inspired Prompt [On World Poetry Day]

in the waiting rooms

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In a creative downturn this week, following the upswing of emotional energy from launching my new creative coaching program the day prior, I felt the lull of metaphorically (and, well, maybe literally) staring at a blank screen. What now? What should I focus on today? What wants to be created in this space? I asked myself and listened.

The benefit of blank space, an empty day on the calendar, or a quiet moment like this is that it offers ample space for listening.

As I listened, grief came through.

And this is no surprise—at least not to me. The same day I opened doors to the Spring Sessions (my group coaching program) also happened to be a day akin to a grief anniversary. March 18th was Trisomy 18 Awareness Day—my daughter was born with this fatal condition. But whether it’s a specific day related to loss or not, grief is never far away.

In fact, this overlaps with conversations my literary agent and I have been having recently about the book project we're preparing to pitch, which has to do with the presence of grief.¹

An Impromptu Poem

So, I picked up my pen as I reflected on grief. I also thought about the rest of my day and how I still had a baseball game and a band concert to go to following my writing session. This, in turn, led me to think about all the places grief goes with us.

Here’s the impromptu² poem that emerged.

Grief Goes With

Grief goes with me to the doctor’s office, the grocery store, the post office, and on every errand run. Grief goes with me to baseball games and band concerts, to work meetings and play date greetings. Grief joins me in the shower and at the gym, when I eat and when I sleep. Grief goes with me to the party and follows me to the park. Grief goes with me through the snow in the winter and the rain in the spring. Grief goes with me everywhere. Grief goes with me through every single year.

As though I might forget.

—Kristin Vanderlip

Grief may evolve or change shapes, but it is not something that goes away. It is not something we leave behind. It doesn’t wait for the “right time” to show up or stay hidden in private spaces. It follows us into the most mundane places, threading itself through ordinary days.

If you have known grief, you know this to be true.

An Inspired Prompt

So, I want to offer this poem to you as an invitation for inspiration and observation—and I want to emphasize observation. Write about the places you’ve observed grief’s presence with you and see if you can refrain from judgment (towards yourself or grief) as you write.³

• Where has grief gone with you? Write a list.

• Think about moments when you noticed its presence—maybe unexpectedly or in a place where it felt out of place.

Feel free to share what you write in the comments, tag me on Instagram if you share a post (@kristinvanderlip)⁴, or simply grab a notebook and write for yourself.

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World Poetry Day

It seems fitting to share a poem and prompt on World Poetry Day. I hope you’ll write a poem—whether it’s inspired by this prompt or not—or at least read a poem and let it sink into your bones today.

“Poetry is a life-cherishing force. For poems are not words, after all, but fires for the cold, ropes let down to the lost, something as necessary as bread in the pockets of the hungry.”

―Mary Oliver, A Poetry Handbook

Make Believe: Poems for Hoping Again by Victoria Hutchins arrived on my front porch today—an unplanned gift to celebrate poetry today. I look forward to spending some time with it. I also want to invite you to share a poem that’s felt healing to you (one you’ve read or written) or shout out a favorite poet or book of poetry in the comments.

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P.S. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to restore joy in your creative life.

If you're feeling the pull to reconnect with your creativity this spring—whether through poetry writing, journaling, or another artistic practice—my new group coaching program, the Spring Sessions, is designed for you. This 6-week program is a revamp of the Summer Sessions, which helped creatives like Katie find their way back to writing:

“I was in a tough place when it came to my writing and the many life transitions happening in 2022. Kristin's Summer Sessions provided a unique and fun opportunity to tiptoe back into writing for the sake of writing for me. The weekly artist dates were a critical turning point in my process, and I loved how Kristin gently encouraged me into these each week. The small community formed over the course of sessions, Kristin's generous and gentle coaching, and the accountability to show up to the page allowed me to step back into my writing with a new lease and energy.”
— Katie Drobina

The Spring Sessions will offer that same nourishing blend of creativity, coaching, and community but with fresh inspiration for this season of renewal. Each week, we'll gather for live coaching, guided journaling, and creative exercises rooted in Merideth Hite Estevez's book The Artist's Joy—all designed to help you connect with your creative practice and recover joy.

1. My agent and I are currently seeking the right publishing home for my book, which is an exciting and patient process in the world of traditional publishing. I’ll be sure to share more when the time is right.

2. I’d love to spend more time crafting this poem, elevating the language, and adding some heat with concrete, vivid, sensory details. Maybe I’ll make some more revisions and share another edition if it comes.

3. If you’re noticing an emotional charge or judgment coming through, let it be. See what emerges. Be curious and open.

4. Here’s this poem on Instagram if you feel like sharing:

kristinvanderlip

A post shared by @kristinvanderlip