During my conversation with Claudia Castro Luna on the Peaceful Exit podcast, we dove into the transformative power of poetry in processing grief and loss. Claudia has held the title of Academy of American Poets Poet Laureate fellow (2019), Washington State Poet Laureate (2018 – 2021) and Seattle’s inaugural Civic Poet (2015-2018). Claudia came to the U.S. from El Salvador in 1981, and much of her work explores how language, specifically English and Spanish, allows her to express different aspects of her grief and identity. Claudia's own experiences during the civil war in El Salvador inform her book, 'Cipota Under the Moon,' which pays tribute to the resilience of children in war situations. She uses her poetry to navigate and understand the deep loss and rupture that accompanies leaving one's homeland. Through her poetry, which she writes in her second language, Claudia metabolizes her grief and seeks acceptance and reconciliation.
During our conversation, I felt inspired by how Claudia moved through her grief using creative work. What follows is some of the wisdom Claudia shares that might be helpful to those seeking creative outlets for emotions.
Cultural Rituals of Grief
Cultural rituals surrounding grief and mourning vary significantly across societies and regions, each with its distinct customs, symbols, and traditions. These rituals not only provide a structure for the living to express their grief but also form an integral part of acknowledging and remembering the deceased. They serve as a collective outlet for sorrow beyond the confines of personal lamentation. In the episode, Claudia expressed a profound connection with the cultural rituals regarding death in her native El Salvador. Spanish, her mother tongue, she feels, resonates with these customs and norms, best facilitating her expression of grief. She explores how language and culture intertwine, shaping and channeling our emotional responses differently.
Contemplating Death
Life is a cycle from birth to death, and all life is interconnected. While this concept may seem daunting, acceptance of death as a natural part of life can bring about a transformative sense of peace and understanding. This perspective aligns with the idea of a peaceful exit, where death isn't seen as an end but a transition that returns us to the whole. In this podcast, Claudia expressed her desire for a non-violent, prepared death that allows for an understanding and acceptance amongst her loved ones. Drawing parallels with nature, she compared death to the process of decomposition and reabsorption, affirming it to be a transition that ultimately reunites us with the universe or heaven or whatever you conceive it to be. This holistic view of life and death weaves seamlessly into her poetry, further underscoring the transformative power of her art.
Poetry as Inspiration
For many people, literature and poetry offer avenues for exploring experiences, emotions, and thoughts in a deeply personal yet universal way. When faced with grief or trauma, transforming those experiences into poetry can become a cathartic exercise that empowers individuals to reshape their narrative.
It aids in processing grief and gives us a chance to reclaim sorrow through beauty. This engagement with art in a deeply personal way facilitates mental healing and fosters acceptance. For Claudia, writing poetry was a means of metabolizing the grief associated with her past in El Salvador. By recalling her childhood memories, Claudia channeled her experiences into art, utilizing the written word as a means to transcend the barriers of time, place, and circumstances. In particular, her book 'Cipota Under the Moon,' is borne out of this transformative journey, as it provides a poetic tribute to the child victims of war.
The Impact of Life Experiences
Each individual’s life experiences shape their perspectives, beliefs, and reactions to various situations. From uplifting moments to heartbreaking losses, these experiences contribute significantly to personal growth and self-realization. Handling stress and adversity can often act as catalysts for this journey towards understanding oneself, encouraging individuals to learn, adapt, and grow. In their conversation, Claudia spoke about the life-altering moments that re-defined her as a person. Her childhood spent in the El Salvador civil war, every day scared for her life, left an indelible imprint on her psyche. It is through this lens that she approaches her poetry, drawing on her lived experiences to construct narratives that are intensely personal yet universally resonant.
The transformative power of poetry in processing grief and loss is of particular importance to individuals who are grieving and seeking a creative outlet for processing their emotions. Poetry can provide a cathartic and expressive outlet for exploring and understanding grief, allowing individuals to find solace and acceptance in their life experiences. Try harnessing the power of poetry to navigate your grief journey and reclaim a sense of peace.