Art & Poetry Showcase 2024: An Interview with Poetry Winner Stuart Monk
Welcome to our new blog series, where we shine a spotlight on the winners and runners-up of the 2024 Art & Poetry Showcase. In this series, we’ll delve into the stories behind the works, exploring the inspiration, challenges, and transformative power of art and poetry.
We’re kicking things off with an interview with Stuart Monk, a winner of the 2024 showcase, whose poetry captures resilience, hope, and the profound interplay between art and mental health. Stuart works for Mind in West Essex as a peer Support Worker, and his lived experience contributes to his passions in this role.
"Final Destination" by Stuart Monk
You have reached your final destination!
Quiet minds contemplating
How far have I come?
From stormy clouds and procrastination
Final words could have come too soon
Now he listens to bright and an upbeat tune
From screaming minds and twisted heads
And restless nights unable to rest
Final calls and sorry goodbyes
I’m ok, I’m fine and other stupid told lies
You hit rock bottom to reach the top
Too soon for you to want to stop
For your work is still yet to be done
To stop others reaching their final destination
No, not this stop, not this way
You have too many words left to say
So I use my journey to heal those sick and in pain
To stop them hurting as pain is the same
For those that feel emotions dark and too deep
To find help as empathy is all that they seek
To not feel alone in their anxious filled heads
To be there beside them, sometimes nothing needs to be said
For I got there and survived that lonely train station
Thank God I still have time before I’m told
“You have now reached your final destination”
What inspired you to create the piece you submitted, and how does it reflect your personal journey?
It was not really an inspiration. I did not start writing poems until my mental health was very poor. I was like a sponge observing things and when I was asleep, which was very disturbed at the time, words and rhythms would pop into my head. I would leave a note pad and pen by my bed and write them down. In the morning I would finish them as I could not rest until they were completed. It is a bittersweet time as most of my inspiration comes from moments when my mood is dark but it helps me lift the mood as I try to write with hope and inspiration. I also paint watercolours and a lot of my poems reflect colours as I refer to words as my palette. I think a lot of artists are troubled as it seems to be a way of connecting to the inner self and expression. I have been inspired by my journey of survival and coming back from very lows. My journey inspired me to help others and I hope my poems may reach others and give them hope as brighter days will always come. Some poems are questions as to why things are the way they are but they all offer hope and empathy.
How has engaging in poetry impacted your mental health? Were there specific transformative moments?
It has really helped but it is a bit of a paradox as I am most prolific when the black dog creeps in. When my mood lifts I try to write lyrics but unfortunately I am not as connected as I am when my mood drops. I am now in a good place so my poems to date are reflections on my journey and I hope to give readers belief that they too can lead a great life after experiencing poor mental health. There are specific moments mainly from listening to music or at times I get impacted on someone's emotions or moments in time. One of my favourite poems was from when I was picking my son up from a fireworks display and there were people laughing and chatting and I was watching the moon wondering who else was watching the moon and what was going on in their lives.
What role has community played in your journey and your poetry?
Oh massively. I wanted to use my journey to help others and somehow was able to work within a charity. This sector is an amazing community and I really enjoyed meeting with other inspirational organisations such as ERF. The energy from the voluntary sector is absorbing and inspiring. Part of self care is to help others and I have found a great balance in working to assist others in their recovery. My main influences are from artists who have recovered from adversity and loss or those that have a powerful voice to observe social inequality or the overcoming of loss or hardship.
If someone struggling with addiction were to view or read your work, what message or feeling would you hope they take away from it?
I would encourage them to keep going one step at a time and to look at their struggles in a positive way not a negative one. We all learn from hitting the lows and I came back from a moment that was close to my final destination. It has made me stronger and a better person. No storm or darkness lasts for ever. There is always a way to keep going and learn from the experience.
What has poetry made your learn about yourself that you didn't expect?
It always amazes me that the words came from me. I have the same feeling when I paint as it seems to come from another parallel inside me. It makes me proud to have created something from nothing in a way and have painted my words into an inspiring piece of art. It never fails to amaze me! Coming from someone who lacks self esteem and belief it really helps me to feel grounded in life and gives me a purpose to carry on. I hope when I am gone my words continue to be out there in the universe and others may read them and it hopefully lifts them.
Discover More with Stuart on "The Healing Pen" Podcast
Stuart recently appeared on the podcast The Healing Pen, where he discussed the benefits of creativity for mental health alongside host Mike and mental health professional Millie. Together, they explored how journaling, art, and poetry can transform lives.
Listen to Stuart’s episode here and dive into his inspiring perspective on the healing power of words.
Stuart’s journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of art to heal. Through his poetry, he continues to inspire others to find hope, even in the darkest times. As he puts it, “No storm or darkness lasts forever.”
Stay tuned for more stories from the Art & Poetry Showcase winners and runners-up.