Poetry has the power to speak to the soul. With his new book of poems – inspired by Judaism – Michael Milgraum does exactly that.
“To Seek a Larger Spirit: Reflections of a Jewish Psychologist” includes poems that transport readers to psychological and spiritual spaces, like growing beyond fear, healing from trauma and exploring the longing for human connection and warmth. The book shows how the path to self-understanding and connection with God are inextricably linked through poems on topics like the Akeidah, aliyah, blessings, Shabbat, parenting and sacred spaces.
In “Amidah (As Angels Stand – In Stillness),” a poem on the silent prayer, Milgraum writes:
Our minds have legs, and restlessly they run
To chart our course or find a better plan,
To seek the answer, finish up the job,
So many jobs, we dizzy in the chase.
And so our sages have reminded us:
Stop, for a moment, our tormented minds,
To seek the Soul of souls who surely knows
How angels stand, in stillness and in awe.
The author is a Maryland-based clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience, and he previously published spiritual books like “Never Forget My Soul” and “Written Upon Our Souls.” He put out his latest work now, he said, “due to an inner calling that it is time to share these perspectives with others as a way to provide direction, encouragement, insight and hope to the many people who are struggling, questioning or looking for a way to live more fully and with more purpose.”
Milgraum strives to reach audiences inside and outside of the Jewish community, bringing clarity and comfort in a world that seems increasingly complicated and out of control.
“We live in a time of rapid change, confusion and uncertainty,” he said. “I had a significant body of poetry commenting on the human condition, facing our demons, growing despite the pain, hope, the interconnectedness of humanity and the eternal desire to, well, to quote my own title, ‘seek a larger spirit’… I think the world needs these messages now more than ever, especially because all the social forces, threats and changes around us can make us feel so small.”
This message is especially prevalent post-Oct. 7. Milgraum has offered advice to the Jewish community on how to stay strong and contend with the tragic realities of today; he suggests reaching out to others in need, speaking up and finding our purpose in life.
“If stresses and worries about the state of the world are overwhelming you, remember to make time for your own self-care,” he said. “Exercising, spending time with friends and family, meditation, inspirational reading and praying help us reset, reorient and refocus with a calmer frame of mind.”
Reading poetry is another way that people can indulge in self-care. Initially, what drew Milgraum to this art form was his father, Leonard – to whom he dedicated his book – who wrote hundreds of poems in his lifetime.
“One of my early memories is [my father] sitting by the pool and muttering something to himself while he was counting something on his fingers,” he said. “When I asked him what he was doing, he said he was counting syllables because he was composing a poem. He wrote beautiful lyrical, rhymed poetry.”
When Milgraum reads poetry, he feels connected to his father, and he slows down and reflects in a way that is different from reading prose. This feeling is evident in his piece “Eclipse,” a metaphor for God’s appearance in this world:
The light never disappears;
It is just covered.
The daily turning of the earth
Plunges us into shadow,
But, of course, the light is not diminished at all,
It’s just hidden.
Just like the curving shadow beneath me hides a portion of the sun’s light.
It’s just like God, you know;
He shines His face toward us,
And then, for reasons unknown,
Sometimes chooses to raise up his hand,
Hiding and casting a shadow upon that light.
Reflecting on his full body of work in “To Seek a Larger Spirit,” Milgraum spoke about how words are powerful – but too many of them can, at times, obscure experiences and feelings that can’t be put into words. That’s where poetry comes in.
Words are powerful – but too many of them can, at times, obscure experiences and feelings that can’t be put into words. That’s where poetry comes in. –Michael Milgraum
“This issue is especially salient in regard to psychological and spiritual matters that live in a place that borders on words but cannot be fully expressed in words,” he said. “The great thing about poetry is that within its lines it points to, hints at and evokes the part of our experience that is wordless and, thus, has a power to penetrate straight to the heart and soul. Personally, I also find poetry very beautiful. It is in that beauty that the poetry becomes an alchemist, transforming pain, longing and loss into a work of art that helps us see the beauty in the experience.”
