Page 30 - Storytelling - Storylistening

VII. Reminiscing Ideas for Recovering Golden Memories
E. Alpha Poems – Letters from the alphabet are arranged in any sequence vertically on a page, then the resident uses each letter to begin a line of poetry containing one or more words. The entire alphabet or sections of it, a person’s name, a single word or sentence can form the basis of an alpha poem.
Here’s an example of an alpha poem: Laughing so hard at the e-mail joke, I Omitted the fact that I was
Very much in pain and my Emotions went from sad to happy.
Elder Life staff at Maine Medical use “Angel Cards,” each containing an inspiring word. The patient randomly picks a card and uses the word on it as the basis for an alpha poem.
Creating alpha poems give elders a sense of achievement, and often reveal something from their past as well as their present state of mind, says Barnard.
One chose the phrase, “I wish I could hear from my brother,” then created an entire line of poetry beginning with each letter of the phrase. Several themes evolved in the poem, ranging from the writer’s impatience with the current construction underway near her room, to how important she felt her friends and neighbors were in her life.
Porch Swing SeriesTM Culture Change Workbooks ©Action Pact, Inc.2005-2006 p.26