Simply Safe: Poetic Healing with Ayanna Johnson

Join Ayanna Johnson for a healing, in-person session of poetry writing and mask-making to reveal our true authentic selves.
About this Event

Simply Safe is a poetry gathering where you can just be you, you are not too much or not enough!

This is a safe space for poets to come share their true feelings, be themselves and get into meaningful conversation using prompts that go beneath the surface. By the end of this worship poets will take off their mask and produce transformative poetry.
Workshop Overview

• Welcome & Grounding (10 minutes)
  Introductions, community agreements, and a gentle opening reflection to create a space rooted in trust, care, and authenticity.
• Beneath the Surface Conversations (20 minutes)
  Guided prompts that move beyond small talk and invite participants to explore identity, emotions, healing, dreams, and the stories they often keep hidden.
• The Masks We Wear (20 minutes)
  Participants design their own physical mask (supplies provided). The outside represents the version of themselves they feel expected to show the world. The inside holds the emotions, truths, hopes, and parts of themselves that often go unseen.
• Masked Convos (20 min)

• The Unmasking Moment (10 minutes)
  Participants are invited to remove their masks as a symbolic act of releasing what no longer serves them. Together, we reflect on what it means to be seen beyond the surface.
• Writing From the Truth (20 minutes)
  Participants turn their reflections into poetry through guided prompts, allowing their authentic voices to lead the way.
• Sharing & Closing Circle (10 minutes)
  A supportive space for those who wish to share their work, followed by a closing reflection on what they are taking with them.