Creative Magpie: Soul Poet Rachel Maullin
Here is my first Creative Magpie post and to kick off this new blog feature I am focussing on a recently discovered poetry virtuoso Rachel Maullin. Rachel is a fellow healer and runs a complimentary therapy practice called Mother Nurture at the Boot Factory in Wolverhampton. When she is not doing therapeutic massage or reiki, Rachel is writing amazingly soulful poetry (see the end of the post for some delicious examples). I asked Rachel to answer some questions about her poetry and the creative process.
What inspires you to write your poetry? And what influences your poetry the most?
My poetry is inspired by the human spirit, by the energy that flows within us all, by the sheer force of nature. I never consciously write anything, it just flows straight from my heart to the page. My influence is the voice of human emotion and the beauty of the natural world around me and of course the entire universe and beyond.
How do people respond to your poetry and does that influence how/what you write?
Very few people have ever seen my poetry. Until last year, only one person had ever seen it. Since joining the shamanic community and becoming more spiritually aware, I have felt a desire to express myself to my fellows on the hearttracks shamanic online group, and the response has been most heartfelt. I feel inspired and uplifted to have received praise and encouragement, which has opened up the possibility of me actually getting something published in the near future.
Do you ever feel creatively blocked and if so how do you deal with it?
The answer to this is yes. I have suffered from serious bouts of depression for the last 20 years or so, and when I am ill, I tend to write prolifically, as I do when I am feeling really well too. But after the birth of my children, I shut myself down, and spent all of my energy on the creative nurturing of them, shutting off any other creative flow. I only really got back on track about 3 years ago, and that’s when things got interesting, being on a spiritual journey, it has taken me this long to piece together the jigsaw, that gives my poetry such personal meaning. I always knew that it had never left me, it was just sleeping for a while.
Do you have any tips for budding poetry writers?
Umm, this is a hard one. I am one to never tell people how they should express themselves. It is my view, that poetry cannot be forced, then it becomes just words, clever yes, but meaningless. Poetry is best when it comes from the heart, letting it flow without too much thought of the reader. Trying to be clever, can seriously dampen the warmth and wit of what you are trying to say. Just letting rip emotionally and being unafraid of what may come, that’s my advice.
What do you feel is the most important element of creativity?
I think that for some of us, due to our life experiences, genes and the way are brains are wired, are naturally more attuned to creativity than others. But I do think that everyone has creativity inside of them, sometimes it is just locked away, and the person is unaware that it even exists.
Trying hard to please yourself and not others is key. The moment you are performing just for an audience, creative works can become contrived. To be free, it is good to allow yourself time to be childlike in your self expression.
What is the greatest gift that poetry writing gives you?
The voice to speak out, when words fail me. The release of emotions and contours of feelings that I cannot express in conversation. Poetry is my best friend and knows all of my heart and my most intimate secrets. Without this expression, I cannot truly exist.
Read some examples of Rachel’s beautiful poetry (each one opens in a new window)…
Get Rachel’s contact info and Mother Nurture treatment list here by clicking on the links to download (MS Word docs).
Mother Nurture Treatment Menu
Mother Nurture Wellbeing poster
The copyright of all poetry is owned by Rachel Maullin and is used here with kind permission.
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Filed under creative magpie, creativity, interesting peopleTags: creative magpie, mother nurture, poetry, rachel maullin, soul poet
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Nicky Perryman is a Birmingham based Shamanic Energy Field Healer & Creativity Coach. She is also a Textile Artist. This site discusses all aspects of the creative process including practical creativity and healing techniques to facilitate getting in the flow of life more deeply.
Some beautiful poetry! Thanks for sharing!