A Missive From Mallows
Michael Mallows, Writer, Broadcaster, Therapist, and Wit
I recently e-mailed Michael Mallows on the subject of using literature in training people in the art of therapeutic communication. I wrote:
Very pertinent comments about projections!
Years ago in college I suggested to a tutor that we might learn something by discussing literature rather than therapeutic techniques. He backed me and suggested that I prepare something for the next seminar.
It happened at the time that I had acquired a government surplus sleeping bag that had a hood and was a kind of green turd colour. It had toggles as well as a zip and when these were done-up one looked like a giant insect.
Naturally I decided to discuss Metamorphosis in the next seminar and did so by writing a synopsis of the story and placing it upon all the chairs. I then got into the wondrous sleeping bag and refused to say a word for the next forty minutes.
The reactions and projections were revealing.
Michael responded with the following verse:
Years ago, in college, Stephen Bray
Thought literature might help the group educe.
Sleeping bag encased, with nowt to say,
Verminous (his classmates did traduce).
Bug like, bagged and hooded, carapaced
Zipped and toggled, almost arabesque
Silently the hostile group he faced
Impassive and impressive, Kafkaesque.
He made them blink, he made them think, he made them mad
He sat there like an insect on a shelf.
And they came back with everything they had!
With every word revealing more of self!
Thank God his classmates didn’t opt to spray
Else we would be deprived of Stephen Bray!
