By Avonlea Cummings
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Marcie Schwartz, a dedicated Mommy and Me teacher in Westwood, has been an active contributor to the local community for years. Recently, she has embarked on an endeavor to educate the youth about the intricacies of poetry and the profound depth that each poet can infuse into their creations. In addition to her work with children, Schwartz holds certification in Poetic Medicine, an approach that empowers individuals to find their voices by utilizing poems and poetry to forge connections around specific themes and emotions. This practice has proven particularly effective in helping those who have encountered trauma, anxiety, or stressors. On Tuesday, August 15th, Schwartz unveiled her own children’s book, When Someone Deeply Listens to You, featuring illustrations by Eric Funk.
Schwartz's journey into Poetic Medicine commenced during her retirement while teaching Mommy and Me classes in Westwood under her business, Marcie and Me. Since attaining her certification, Schwartz has been ardently imparting her wisdom to local youth, emphasizing the significance of poetry and the power of acknowledging and validating one's emotions.
"For me, Poetic Medicine is about affording people a platform to express themselves and assuring them that their voices are heard. Transcribing emotions from within onto the page holds a therapeutic quality. While individuals often suppress their feelings, there is a theory suggesting that bottling up emotions might contribute to health issues and underlying conditions. Within the realm of poetic medicine, the worth of a poem is not determined by whether it is 'good' or 'bad'; rather, the authenticity and heartfelt nature of the poetry take precedence. If it emanates from the heart, that is what truly matters," Schwartz explained.
When Someone Deeply Listens to You represents Schwartz's second publication and Funk's debut as an illustrator. The book encapsulates the diversity within communities, encompassing a wide array of ethnicities, hair colors, religious backgrounds, and more. Schwartz was steadfast in her commitment to ensuring that every child reading her book felt included and heard.
"Eric and I invested two and a half hours meticulously selecting skin tones, hair colors, ethnic backgrounds, and more. A librarian shared that this book enables every child to find themselves within its pages—an observation that profoundly touched me," Schwartz recounted.
The book, an endeavor that spanned around a year and a half, delves into eighteen distinct emotions commonly experienced by children in their daily lives. Originally conceived as a poem, discussions with various librarians affirmed its potential as a valuable resource for schools, households, and libraries.
Illustrated with vibrant and captivating pages, the poem seamlessly draws readers into a journey of emotional exploration while underscoring the importance of articulating feelings and the inherent value of being heard. This poignant message is one that Schwartz is fervently dedicated to sharing within the local community.
For more information, visit Schwartz's page at https://www.marcieschwartz.com/shop/p/when-someone-deeply-listens-to-you-1.
