Ever since I was in secondary school, I’ve had a pen and paper in my bag. I’d use them anytime my head was full, just to get some of the thoughts out rather than have them put me in a permanent spin.
Writing has been very good for me, even before I ever shared my writing with anyone. Some people keep a journal to document what’s going on, while people like myself scribble random stuff just to get thoughts and feelings off the chest, especially when feeling stressed or anxious. It’s as if though the page becomes a place to unload and clear the head.
Over time, I began writing stories, poems, articles, and any type of text I could and found it equally freeing and stimulating. When writing, I disappear out of reach of my worries, and I am free.
And, it didn’t even matter if, when I looked back on some of the notes months later, the words seemed silly or disjointed. They did a job at that time and that was and is enough for me.
It didn’t take long for poetry to emerge as my favourite kind of writing. The way poems can hold entire lives within a few lines still amazes me. I started writing poems, bad poems, good poems, it didn’t matter.
I joined poetry communities and eventually set up the Poetry Cooperative to share ideas and enjoy poetry. And it was through my Poetry Cooperative, that Gerald Cosgrove got in touch with me first.
Pre-Covid, he staged many fundraising events under the banner “The Language of Music”. Gerald’s intention is to inspire people who are struggling with mental health issues to play music while raising funds for local mental health charities.
And, when he got in touch with the Poetry Cooperative a couple of months ago, he did it to add a poetry element to his efforts. After a long chat, we decided to collaborate.
A couple of weeks ago we staged a fundraising gig and poetry live mic at the Roisin Dubh in Galway. It was a great night of music and poetry, raising funds for Jigsaw while encouraging people to pick up a pen or an instrument when they are struggling.
To add a visual arts element to our campaign we are now also partnering with Art in Mind, Galway.
We are going to publish a book with the title “Fear-Less” and inspire people to write and engage in visual arts for mental health.
The proceeds of the sale of the book will go to Art in Mind and Jigsaw and the book should be ready for the Christmas sales later this year.
Submit Your Poem or Painting Now!
This is our official call for submissions. We are looking for 75-100 poems and works of art for our Fear-Less collection. Please email your submission to fearless@poetrycooperative.org by September 30th, 2022.
Please share this initiative with friends, family, and anyone else whom you think might like to contribute.