Poetry—A light by which we may see: A tribute to Tricia Anderson

Abstract

Whenmidwives engage in creativity we have an opportunity to bridge the gap between art and science and stimulate new ways of thinking about our practice. Poetry can be particularly useful in stirring complex emotions, making the personal universal, and stimulating thoughts that we process as meaning. The condensing and rhythmical arranging of words and phrases that inspire imagination help us consider the possibilities within us, thus generating newwaysof reflectingandcommunicating. Inwriting formidwives about poetry and child birth, the late Tricia Anderson explored how poetry can be a rich resource for empathising with women’s experiences of child birth. She referred to poetry as ‘a light by which we may see’ and wrote of how it can be used in midwifery education, research, antenatal education and professional development. This presentation (or workshop) pays tribute to Tricia Anderson’s love of poetry and her understanding of its importance in midwifery. Tricia was a much loved friend to me and many others; I will pay tribute to her and present her ideas about the potential of poetry in a way that she would have enjoyed.