musings, life lessons & poetry from Theresa Jarosz Alberti

Poetry Challenge – Day 16

Welcome to Day 16 of my 30-Day Poetry Challenge!

Comment on today’s poem to win a copy of my poetry book, “(After) Confession… I’m giving away a copy every day. Scroll down below the poem for more details about this Poetry Challenge.

But first, congratulations, Chris, for winning a free copy of my poetry book! (I do a raffle from those who commented on yesterday’s post.) Chris (I think it may be Chris C?), please email me your address so I can send your prize: theresa.sapphire@gmail.com

Now onto today’s poem. Don’t forget to comment, and check back tomorrow to see if you’ve won!

 *     *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

Back-to-Back


There’s the therapy,
two of us on the couch,
spilling our guts all over the place.
Tears, chuckles, frustrations, anger.
She helps us examine,
pointing out truths like giant specks
we never seem to see.
Cheers us on and challenges us,
draws diagrams like football plays
on the white-board.
50 minutes later:
tenderness, relief, and or exhaustion.

There’s the ramen place,
two of us in a booth,
hunger as if we’ve lifted boulders.
The comfort of tea, hot steaming
bowls of soup, full of so much
for us to slurp, chopsticks busy,
slippery noodles, spicy broth,
dabbing our chins, more water
please. We laugh, chat, remark,
remember, share tastes,
a communion of sorts. We leave
resurrected, soothed, hopeful,
both sessions filling us up,
bringing us back to the
best of parts of us.

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

DETAILS:

  • I’m writing and posting a new poem every day through the month of April (yikes!), for better or worse.
  • AND, as a gift, I’m giving away a copy of my poetry book EVERY DAY this month. FREE!
  • Sign up to WIN a copy of (After) Confession by just leaving a comment beneath the poem of the day.
  • I will pick a winner every day in April! So comment every day for a new chance to win.

OR, you can purchase your own copy of (After) Confession for the new low price of $9.00 USD, shipping and handling included! Click here to read sample poems and purchase a copy.

April is National Poetry Month, which was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996.

This month’s posts are part of the  NaPoWriMo challenge — that’s National Poetry Writing Month. At NaPoWriMo.net, you’ll find links to other participating writers and their poetry. AND daily writing prompts for inspiration to write your own poems. Check them out.

I’m so looking forward to your comments–  it doesn’t have to be about the poem. Write anything, share the name of your favorite poet or poem, write about the weather, whatever! And thanks for reading.

**Subscribe to Pen and Moon to receive easy updates by email. See the Subscribe link in the sidebar>>>  or at the bottom of this page.

Photo credit: J-434646 and Jacalyn Beales, courtesy of Unsplash.com

6 Comments

  1. Sharon

    My copy of “(After) Confession” arrived today!It’s a nice change from the regular mail . . .

    This was an interesting poem. A therapist once told me that couples therapy can take a lot of energy for the therapist too.

    I like the juxtaposition of the therapy and the noodles. Two different, but equally important experiences.

    And now I really want noodles and tea!

    • Jennifer D-K

      Wow – Sharon just wrote exactly what I was thinking! “Both sessions filling us up,” lovely.

      And my copy of “(After) Confession” just arrived today too! I turned right to the Jane Eyre poem because I loved the title, and it’s wonderful. Can’t wait to curl up with a cup of tea and savor the whole thing. You are so talented, my friend!!!

      • Theresa Alberti

        Sharon is a poet too… click her name to check out the poetry she is writing this month (hope that’s okay, Sharon! If not, LMK and I’ll take down the link).

        Yay for your copy arriving! And glad you read the Jane Eyre poem… I had to do a lot of growing to write it. Thanks for your kind words!

    • Theresa Alberti

      Oh good, glad you got it! And yes, I can see where it is extra work to be a couple’s therapist, to untangle all the stories and feelings flying around. They really do help so much.

      Noodles and tea… so good!

  2. Nora Krahn

    Theresa
    I really love your honesty and yet simplicity when speaking of life’s challenges.
    The weaving together of therapy and warm noodle soup allowed me to see the couple through your words.

    • Theresa Alberti

      Thanks, Nora… that comment was so lovely and full of poetry itself! 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

© 2025 Pen and Moon

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑