Editor’s Note

Journal of Poetry Therapy, Vol. 7, No.1, 1993 Editor's Note Honesty in expression and behavior illuminates this issue of the Journal. When art, poetry, and narrative are created and shared, the human connection in personal, therapeutic, or social situations can be a powerful force for change and growth. Through an appropriate and sincere sharing of self, the healer offers a valuable gift. This is a poetic approach to practice that transcends technique. The combination of art and poetry for therapeutic purposes is examined in a drug and alcohol abuse day treatment program by Mury Rabin. The author shares personal works developed from the therapeutic relationship. Diane Hodges describes a program combining art and poetry therapy with terminally ill patients in a hospice day care center. Many poems spoken by the patients to the author are provided in the article. Georgia Thomas Henry offers a personal narrative on her own poetry writing as an aid in her movement through the grief process. Each of the above pieces deal with transitional issues including loss. To keep the poetry alive in our professional practice we must pursue the poetic with those close to us in our personal lives. Drawing from Karen Bernhardt Savage's poem, "becoming" is a long process that is sometimes lonely but also offers joy. In the end (or along the way) it's all a matter of restoring or instilling choice. Although every choice involves a loss, it offers a way to travel with dignity and respect. It's your call. Hope to hear from you as we begin our seventh volume year. We have provided some light. We go on .... Nicholas Mazza 3 C> 1993 Human Sciences Press, Inc.  (...truncated)