​Caregiving Poets

Are You A Budding Poet?

Or one seeking to be published? Then read on.

I recently came across PoetrySoup where caregiving themes wax poetic. This resource offers an excellent list of poems by, for and about caregiving.

For example, here’s a partial list of the categories:

• Short Caregiving Poems
• Best Caregiving Poems
• Famous Caregiving Poems
• Long Caregiving Poems

While the website also opportunities to discuss select poems with others, what’s most exciting is that it could be the perfect place for caregivers who write poetry to submit their own poems.

PoetrySoup also hosts free poetry contests for every level of membership. Held weekly, many contests award prizes as well as publication opportunities. To learn more about the guidelines, click here.

Here's an example of a poem about caregivers by Robert L. Hinshaw (copyright 2012):

I've Seen Angels

Angels are heavenly beings who minister to our needs we are told.

'Tis said they are celestial spirits with wings who play harps of gold.

But I see Angels ministering to others every day here on earth,

And of their tender compassion, love and care there is no dearth!

I saw an Angel yesterday who cleared a widow's drive of snow.

I saw an Angel helping an old gentleman with his back bent low.

I saw an Angel filling a bird feeder on a blustery, winter's day.

I saw an Angel in the park watching over little children at their play.

I saw an Angel who took a shut-in for a drive to view the hues of fall.

I saw an Angel who took a handicapped boy to a professional game of ball.

I saw an Angel preparing a Sunday school lesson for her Bible group.

I saw an Angel at her stove that for a sick neighbor was making soup.

I saw an Angel who simply held the hands of one who had suffered loss.

I saw an Angel playing with his dog with a simple stick he would toss.

I saw an Angel reading a book to an older man who was losing his sight.

I saw an Angel who visited a lonely inmate in prison the other night.

I saw an Angel who was being deployed to uphold the freedoms we hold dear.

I saw an Angel left behind to tend their family alone for an anxious year.

I've seen Angels ministering among us every day upon this earth,

And of their tender compassion, love and care there is no dearth!

J. Dietrich Stroeh is author of Three Months: A Caregiver’s Journey from Heartbreak to Healing (FolkHeart Press) and three free ebooks. For more information, click here.