Photo by AdobeStock/my_stock
by Jessica Taylor, 27, assessment social worker
This poem came about as a release of emotions after a particularly challenging week on duty. I wrote it while lying in bed, unable to sleep as the day’s events kept whirling around my head.
I suppose it was a reaffirmation that I’m doing okay – a reminder to take the good days with the bad days and remember why I chose the profession I did. It was my thoughts, feelings and justifications for putting myself through this job poured onto a page.
The Job by Jessica Taylor
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This is absolutely beautiful and painfully sad at the same time. It really captures the nature of our work and why we do it.
Glad Jessica had the time, don’ t forget the casenotes, assessments and ticking boxes on time! Ha ha
This poem really says it all for the life of a frontline practitioner. Really poignant and absolutely brilliant
Oh wow so beautiful. The job we chose a vivid description.
Jessica has hit the nail right on the head. Reading The job, it made me smile, it made me wince, nearly cry.
A lovely reflection to get you through the day , especially when one’s daily toil stretches individuals too far.
Wow this is lovely
What a beautiful poem, it definitely makes you realise why you do your job, it also allows you to reflect on how tough it is.
Spot on. Well done and thank you for expressing things which are sometimes hard to express!
Beautiful poem. This would always remind me of social work in practice. Thank you.
This poem captures the highs, the lows, and the in-betweens of the social work profession now and when I was there many years ago. Not much has changed in that respect. It remains often rewarding, often uber challenging and sometimes impossible.