A request earlier this year for contributions to a book of poems and visual art about mental wellbeing has culminated this week with the publication of ‘Deep Well’. Rebecca Strivens has been coordinating the efforts.
Rebecca explained the origins of the book telling HI HUB: “For many, the journey to becoming and staying mentally well has resulted in some astonishing insights, and creative outlets, but sharing them can involve risk – of being judged crazy, weird or, sometimes, attention-seeking… There is so much to be gained from sharing: the connections made by others who struggle, seeing they are not alone and that someone else understands; communicating to the well what it can feel like to suffer, making for a more empathetic and understanding community”.
The book of poems and artwork is on sale now through The Topiary Tree shop, at the St Andrew’s Centre, and will be sold from a stall on the Green in the mornings of Saturday 3rd and 10th July. All proceeds go to the charity HI Friends.
Rebecca will also be selling copies of ‘Little Steps’, a poetry book about bereavement and life’s journey by Carol Key, a local Histon lady. She published her book in 2015 and has given copies to sell alongside Deep Well, contributing her profits to the charity. Both books will sell for £5 per copy.
Among the beautiful and heartfelt contributions to ‘Deep Well’ is one by Rebecca’s own daughter, Anna.
My mind is a sky -by Anna Strivens
On clear days, I shine
Brightly
Blindingly
My warmth saturates the world
I bring colour
I bring life
Clouds pass across me
Casting shadows
They pass, fleeting as a thought
When they gather in multitudes
I am grey
I am dulled
Overcast, I walk
Sap colour
Sap life
To those not watching
I am normal
I am fine
Grey turns to black
The thunder in my head is my voice off the walls
The lightning flashes are ice in my veins
Rain pours
I flood
I weep
The world weeps with me
My heaviness lifts
On the horizon, it is grey
Grey, again
But the rain heals the damage of the storm
Roots grow strong and new growth blooms
Clouds may stay
The rain is gone
Was it ever there?
Overcast, I walk
The clouds break
Light shines through
(And the rain is gone)