Death doula joins Midwest Writing Center to host workshop on navigating grief with poetry

By NINA BAKER – Quad City Times, Davenport, Iowa (TNS)

A Davenport doula who specializes in end-of-life care has joined with the Midwest Writing Center to host a workshop on poetry as an expression of grief.

The Dec. 28 “Narrating Grief Through Poetry” event focuses on using poetry and sound to capture, process and release feelings of mourning. The program features readings and a discussion, and time to write and share with others.

Becky Nakashima Brooke, end-of-life doula and owner of Illuminate Healing Studio, will host the workshop alongside Ryan Collins, executive director of the Midwest Writing Center. The workshop follows a Nov. 9 “Narrating Through Grief” event on the same themes.

The timing of this series near the holidays is no accident, Nakashima Brooke said.

The season often reminds people of deceased loved ones no longer around to celebrate. Navigating this grief through the holidays can be overwhelming, she said.

“Everyone is jolly and is opening presents,” Nakashima Brooke said. “And then it hits you.”

Collins said that when people write, they transform these tumultuous feelings into concrete language, allowing them to reflect on their grief in a new way.

Poetry uses few words to punch a high impact, he said. Every word in a poem carries an emotional punch.

All forms of artistic expression, including poetry, allow people to slow down, focus inward and confront grief, Collins said.

“I’m interested in people being able to use writing as a tool to improve their life,” he said.

Nakashima Brooke said she hopes to foster an open and non-judgmental space at the workshop.

“I want to have a place where your grief is no smaller than my grief, and my grief is no bigger than your grief,” she said.

As an end-of-life doula, Nakashima Brooke provides non-medical, professional guidance and comfort to those facing terminal illnesses or preparing for death. In her work, she often includes what she calls grounding sounds, which include lower-pitch sounds like gongs or drums that set listeners at ease.

Like at the November session, she hopes to create a comfortable atmosphere through sound. The start of the workshop will feature a “sound bath” to soothe participants into the session.

Collins and Nakashima Brooke said they may hold another series in the future if people are interested and participants continue to find the sessions meaningful.

The Dec. 28 workshop is pay-what-you-can. Attendance at the first workshop is not required. Sharing poetry aloud at the workshop is optional.

Interested participants can register for the workshop by emailing Collins at mwc@mwqc.org.

The workshop will be hosted from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28, on the second floor community room of the Rock Island Public Library Downtown Branch.

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