Relational poetry in the expression of social identity: Creating interweaving dialogues

Abstract

Social constructionism holds that meanings are produced in social interactions, which are, in turn, shaped by specific socio-cultural, political, and economic forces. These forces also affect our sense of self, social identities, knowledge, and interpretation of realities. Following the work of Witkin (2007) on relational poetry, this author interweaves a second poem within the lines and verses of Kumsa’s (2007) poem, thereby producing a poetic dialogue and a new poem. This article highlights the inter-subjectivities of the human experience and the co-construction of meaning arising from multiple experiences, realities and truths. It presents relational poetry as another entrée into our co-constructed realities. It is an experiment with a mode of writing and engagement about inter-subjectivities. In using this literary style, this article also fulfills the ethical responsibility within social work of bringing awareness to voices and perspectives that have been marginalized and oppressed.