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ol of Social WorkNorth HallCity, IA 52242School of Sa.edu/ socialwk/creativewritingNational PoefoSocial W2013 Firs32
The judges for the 2013 contestfounder and director of Write Nveteran writer, writing coach, increative writing workshops; Sarfrom the Iowa Writers’ WorkshBollinger, public art coordinatoincluding the Poetry in Public p2
Contest for Social Workersthe world-renowned Iowaational Writing Program, theFestival, The Patient Voicetival and the Iowa Youth20, 2009, UNESCO designatedrd City of Literature, makingSCO Creative Cities Network.iting Seminar for Helpingy 90’s when then director Tomp graduate to teach creativey, the seminar teaches bothof writing for healing and socialntest for Social Workers wasnt Coordinator Jefri PalermoBern-Klug with support fromhool of Social Work. Questionsriting at the School of Social19-335-3750 or by email atparticipating in the 2014ions can be made ateativewriting/e a donation to the School tove Writing Seminar students oryou can do so online atalwork30About The UniversiSchool of SoThe University of Iowa isuniversity located on a 1,900-acsoutheast Iowa, on the Iowa RiU.S. Interstate Highways 80 andIowa is composed of 11is the College of Liberal Arts anIowa's undergraduates. Moreat Iowa each year. The Universia wide variety of cultural opporevents, and a number of businescientific and educational reseaAll year major poets, writers, aand others speak or perform inat local bookstores. Excellent pucomfortable neighborhoods, antion mean that Iowa City frequeplace-to-live” listings in nationaEstablished in 1847, Iowrecognition for its wealth of aches, and humanities. Iowa was thto admit men and women on anstitution of higher education inwork in theater, writing, music,advanced degrees. It establishefirst educational radio station wcast the world's first educationadeveloped and continues to holtesting.
School of Social Work in thences is the oldest andIowa. The school is noted forthe entire state through disgrams to facilitate the educas, the professionalization ofcation, an the origination of inces.been continuously accreditedEducation (CSWE) since 1951.cial work became available inwhen CSWEe social work curriculum and974. The UI PhDk doctoral program in the statehort of students in 1998 andFifty-twoe and work in Iowa.g the Creative Writingals, in 2012 the Schoolcial workers and showcasenal poetry competition. In ourpoems from social work stuwenty states. Forty-nine of thet of a 7 lineFor more information aboutgo to page 30.4Traci Kay Schank, Indiana UniveWhat We AreUsing education to fight oppresChoosing questions and sessionShowing individuals their possiHelping them see all they can beFighting the bullies and breakinEmpowering the vulnerable, heWe are social workers; it’s more
aFIRST PLACE WINNERAnna Forbes, Bryn Mawr CollegLeaving TodayWith broom and dustpan in theShe’s sweeping up the china froHer mouth a bruise, she movesAnd, praying he’s asleep, she mStill scared but, this time, stron“That shelter lady said to comeSuitcase in hand, she softly locky South Bendold them up high,ther and die.SECOND PLACE WINNERwill I walk away,r this day.ry and have gone astray.Sara Staggs, University of HoustTuesday at 3My breathis stolen from my cheste by your side.p you find hope again.hearing her story of pillaged chwishing I could go backwhisk her from her past. InsteaI hold her pain and remind herto breathe28
Julia Knipe-Mills, Indiana UniverThe Social Workerniversity, St. LouisWhere you are may hurt, but mYou feel a terrible known is betAnd so you stay.But what if someone offered yochallenge to take the risk of mo"It will not help" you say, "I amShe listens, and asks you "Whatand cares.Her nearness says "Let's journecourse".And so, having faith and hope indles against the wicked winde sweater shields her from theight in her tired eyesected designer frockned for this lonely alleyted on the woolen weaves always meant to shelter herJulie A. Sims, Indiana UniversityYou MeniversityMy mission is to help you.Will you let me?My desire is to show you a freeWill you trust me?My goal is to empower you to dWill you allow me?Will you help me, help you?tmaresfrom the lightins to crackabove a hand extendsnshin6
-Purdue UniversityNicole Neverman, The UniversityRead Between the LinesWhen you live someplace wherit screws with your mind.Each person silently screams prProve that you’ll stay.Where I don’t need you meansYou don’t own me means giveF* off means you won’t be herewill.We need to read between the lire.in and suffering.power and learn.h and happiness of others.niversityorkerkerr storynd Ended in gloryll to Pieces, only to come toesyour baby Steps that led to thatr inner Flame that trulyker26Katie Niehoff, Washington UniveThe Senses of DementiaYou have given me more than IAs I enter your home, I am eageYou may not recall my name, buOur conversations may not makyou.When you are experiencing frusdisease, I feel you.Being with you, makes MY day.You have given me more.
Mollie Lazar Charter, Universityws; the lingering despair –ople matter and that lives shallo wrestle in turmoil and inand often displaces blamets of faith, characterpurpose; to be loved and to be-m guiding change to right aSocial Workers IgniteWe dive in tear filled eyes searcWe wade through tragedies thalabor through oppressions thatwe do not stop until we find thathat shimmering strength.Then, we are kindling clinging tclients and communities to expto breathe in oxygen to exhale hdetermination.We help them to ignite.Kelli May Wilson, Chadron StateThe Drive, the Desire, the DeIt’s a click in your brain or a lifeIt’s the desire to help others wiFor some it’s always known, foIt’s an instinct to comfort whenIntegrity is grace and compassiWhen others ask why, say it isSocial workers perform what isbut the decision to be one comeoment so many years agoowingal workeressionI do8
Angela Roberts, The University oois-Urbana/ChampaignGoodbyeevelop a magical power to cureyears of abuse and poverty andories and trauma andkling fairy dust just doesn’tor sprinkled in my license likee; just me, am I hearing youut; maybe some glitter or aNYYou watched me grow to waistshoes to tie.You left without a goodbye. Maydie.Money in mom's hand, I was takmoney buy?Dirty and forever changed, hiddwould deny.You left without goodbye. May Idie.She cleaned me with gleams ofcry.You left without a goodbye. Maydie.Kristene Brown, Pittsburg StateApplying for Food StampssoilgyntdgetyourneyThe mother opens her empty haelegant arch of a bird’s slim winbut still. Not the stillness of babsleep, more like hummingbird hsweet, fluttering with invisible sstill-life of beak, head, wing—thborn not of greed but necessity.24
Melody Anderson, University of Sana University EastCounselor, Mediator, Mentor, EdHelper, Tutor, Collaborator, AdvGuider, Supporter, Advisor andDefender, Cheerleader, DesigneGiver of Empathy, Compassion,Patience and Kindness for thoseSocial work. Wow! What an AwDo they say that with pride orou claim justice is blind andthe mentally ill, chronicallyirt poore horrortheir eyesdeniedAmerica Obregon, The UniversitTo others: violent and dangerouTo me: compassionate and thouTo others: a woman lost with thTo me: a woman lost in the systTo others: a clientTo me: a motherA mission to eliminate misconcwish to be friends, not only clieodnesseharge10
Colin Ryan, The University of Iowf GeorgiaA Message to New Social WorwthThere is a fire that burns for allLike moths to a light, or seekersdraws us closer,It will not always radiate as a beIt will flicker in the chill winds oIt will seem like darkness has enworld to nothing,Hold fast and scan the landscapembers,Lighting silhouettes of fellow trnot alone.in this collage of spring.water again and a spidere buildings above aremaculate scene.IowaJill Schreiber, University of IllinoSocial Work .I am in social workbecause I am social.little ones weep.n runs deep.ve and careen to bear., as the stories unfold.der heart I hold.with each account retold.22
rsity of IowaRichard Kenney, University of TeHigh Plains AimsIn the high plains of Nebraska,students ride hard for people inThey learn about values, advocahow to help others map futuresWith careful aim at social injustthey know the range of integritto be the gauge of social work.xas at AustinHeather Lujano, The University odertoday I see my fate before mewith a clasped hand as I reach tmay peace be our focus througheternity ensnared inside the criour crystallized breath as proofcan still make a changeand hope livesm,oom.ing her gifts,ed, the poor and the rich.path.ng back.social work track.12
Jon Pyon, Cal Poly San Luis Obisnois-Urban/ChampaignThe clients are what make sociThe clients are in need of mentThe clients are in need of emotiThe clients might lash out and tThe clients may or may not getBut no matter what the client nThe social worker is always wilell planned, voices raised fore.othed and in health. Thriving!learn with alert interest.deep, dream and exhale.ervice. Guided byjust. Lending hope. GivingTammie Knick, Minnesota Staterength and change.We Are Social Workersof Iowahis fleshd containment.the gilded halls of power.rred,eard.the fragile dream that still we20We are social workers, action tpolicy makers.We are social justice pursuers,vulnerability protectors, barrieWe are good listeners, task orgpromoters, empathizers.We are thought provokers, comcultural responders, story summWe are informed consent discloCode of Ethics followers, risk taWe are global explorers, soul sewe are social workers.
nesotaSusan Razzano, Rutgers Universg of an epiphany for Iowa CityMedical Social Work Promiseuld don a Santa suit and pranceSince 1905, in those hospital wawe have servedhearing your dreams and concrsharing the bitter and the sweepart of the team, advocateshelping your whole selfto heal.he Decembers to come heund of belly and had a smileoy of the season profound, wee hosted his own ChristmasNicola Rose Vogel, Indiana UniveSanta, “The man who would beThe StationThey sit in the chair before me ato the hardship, the pain and sucourage to share,I tell them that they have been orest a while.My job is to supply the vision thheart,to give them the tools and mapwayto a life of fulfillment and happiand to help them on their way.niversitypair14
yGreg Nooney, Loyola UniversityOld White Men in Dinersion,ng one mission:r, sex, and color, disability and,Red noses and fat bellies,Surgeries and high blood pressuClustered together, birds of a feJohnny now on oxygen.Fred's grandson married Ben.Ted has to have his hip done.unimagined,work profession."More coffee, hon?"rsity-IndianapolisEmily S. Logan, Grand Valley Staow my place.o stand with fellow villagers asof staggers and falls,onger; giving energy toon, creativity and a focus ongside others; methodicallydefine; but it’s a place in the18GhettoHer referral said she was “ghettDid they know she was imotherwise disadvantagedOr was it known by the belongated decorated nailHer speech, her brown bOr her defenses against aThat with kindness, respShe might reveal her pain
Missouri-ColumbiaKelsie Kennedy, Indiana Universed MemoriesSubletiesrsity to enter another world,n.confronting a hidden buto see.ge abounding, quiet.ful memories;verwhelmed. Another day?Can you see the hidden pain beAnd would I buy the lies that mWould you notice hints that I coTo let you know the depths thaeyes?Will you find the puzzle piece thRevealing every inch of me I’veage?And if I seek to be free of this dato bury the stark truth of “themrsityLindsey Ford, Indiana Universityss, parks and daycare centers.mily reunions, bowling alleys.Ready, Set, ChangeI may not be perfect, but I'm cerI’m a work in progress but Service, importance of human rworth of a person, competent, sthe standards I live byEven when I encounter ethical d“Every child is an individual, andGod has allowed me the opportfamilies overcome their challenyou don't hire my kind.children, nieces or nephews.16
When you live someplace where ties don't bind, it screws with your mind. Each person silently screams prove that you're different. Prove that you'll stay. Where I don't need you means don't leave me. You don't own me means give me some control. F* off means you won't be here forever, so quit acting like you will.
