Hammonton Center Social Worker Creates a Poem From the Heart

Last month, Michelle Wolfson, Director of Social Work at the large 240-bed nursing and rehabilitation facility on North White Horse Pike, Hammonton Center, was inspired when the facility had been cleared to open for family visits, more so than it did briefly back last summer. So inspired that her poetry talents awakened and the words came flowing out.

Ms. Wolfson, who had just turned a proud 50 back in April, has been married to her husband for 21 years and she lives with him and her three teenagers in Blackwood, New Jersey. Originally, she was born and raised in Philadelphia and in addition to having her degree in Social Work which she loves, Michelle has another love and that’s writing poetry. In the past she did some freelance writing and blogging for various publications and websites in South Jersey, having her pieces published prior to joining the Hammonton Center team a little more than two years ago. As much as Michelle would love to write poetry for a living, it's nearly an impossible task in the real word, but she loves social work and has no regrets.

“If I can marry the two loves of my professional life (social work and writing), that would be great, but for now, I need to be in social work,” said Wolfson. “After being an English major, social work was not my first choice of majors in school. Sadly, the creative writing and poetry job market is not what one would hope, but I’m happy.”

Michelle has done a number of poems when the moment arises, and as any professional creative person would tell you, these things are hardly ever planned, they are born at the spur of the moment . This was the case in early April when Hammonton Center Administrator Eli Goldman happily announced to the staff that the facility has been cleared for reopening to the families.

"Having families return to the facility in person to see their loved one, is magical," said Wolfson. "You see the cries of joy right in front of you, the love and the togetherness just re-blossoming. This is the inspiration that comes from way down, deep inside to write poetry."

Goldman asked the front desk to when families call to schedule an appointment with their loved one, have something cheerful and welcoming to say. Michelle, having heard this, decided to write a poem which took her no more than ten minutes to flush out. Her heartfelt pure talent for poetry is born.

***************************************************************************

The Indoor Visit Poem

“We hear you want to visit with your loved one oh so dear,
We’ll be happy to set that up for you, now that we’ve gotten the all clear

Only four visits can be happening at any given time,
So call us up to schedule, I’m sure that will be fine

30 minutes is the most your visiting may be,
And of course it is required you wear proper PPE

If you’ve had your shots, a touch or hug is perfectly OK,
If not you can still visit but you’ll need to stay away

Screenings of your health will happen when you hit the door,
Rapid tests encouraged so that we can be sure

Each indoor visit will be set up in the dining room at a table,
You may visit us on Tuesdays or Thursdays if you are able

10:30 to 12 and 2 to 4 are the times that you may enter,
We can’t wait to see you for visiting’s return to the folks at Hammonton Center.”