Notes from our first meeting

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11 September 2012

Phillipa had requested someone take some notes for the Dying Matters Coalition in her absence.

I am not sure it will be that sort of a meeting. I asked people to send me comments afterwards if they wished. I am starting a web log for the group members to share thoughts, feelings, poetry and pictures, if they wish to do so.

Christine has kindly sent some “well pictures” we might use.

Four of us gathered at seven o’clock in the crypt room at The Albion Beatnik bookstore. Three others sent apologies and will be there for future meetings. Brightly coloured poetry and poets’ names spiralled or striped the walls. The place had a kind of cosiness to it. Several people ordered tea and coffee from our ever helpful hosts, Lucie and Dennis.

I allowed the meeting to evolve organically rather than follow an agenda.

We shared something of who we are and why we were there.

Poems and pictures were shared.

Personal histories emerged. All of us have been through major bereavements in the not too distant past. We have all tapped into the well of creativity to help us reach different points on the journey through grief.

We started to explore the ways we had used our creative energies to help us through the grieving process and will be continuing to do so.

There was joy in this encounter at a raw and real level. I came away feeling high.

“Fallen among angels,” was one person’s description of her experience.

After about ninety minutes I started to suggest structural elements. We discussed confidentiality without a clear conclusion.

I would prefer it if things that are shared are only confidential if the sharer asks that they be so.

Anything personal will be checked with the author before it is shared or published on line.

We decided to give ourselves until the 30^th of October before meeting again.

We may meet informally between sessions. I showed one member how to use the internet for the very first time this week.

The theme for our next meeting will be the “Kicking the Bucket” festival.

We will attend one or more event and report back.

Anticipating the kicking the bucket expression I share here a poem I read at the meeting.

Big Black Brick

At the end you did your cooking

In a big black brick

The base was very heavy

And the sides were awfully thick

The sauce would burn

While you relaxed

The washing up

It had me taxed

Impacted

Congealed

Contracted

Although it was a part of you

From which we fondly fed

I’ll never use the thing again

Now you are dead

Next meeting: 30^th October 6.30 p.m. at the Albion Beatnik Bookstore, Walton St Oxford.