Poetry As An Act Of Transformation And Resistance
Caroline Reddy reflects on her journey from Iran to New York, blending spirituality, activism, and healing in her poetry and workshops.
Caroline Reddy is a poet whose work emerges from the intersections of ancestry, migration, healing, and activism. Born in Shiraz, Iran, and raised in Westchester, New York, she writes with a voice shaped by displacement and resilience. Her poetry has been featured in Tupelo Quarterly Review and The Institute of Spiritual Poetry, and she is a contributor to Iranian Women Speak, a powerful platform amplifying voices for the ZanZendegiAzadi – WomenLifeFreedom movement in Iran. As both a librarian and the creator of The Creative Breath workshop, Caroline nurtures spaces where writing becomes an act of transformation.
In this interview, she reflects on the alchemy of grief, the wisdom of nature, and the courage it takes to reclaim one’s voice. Through poetry and presence, she invites us to listen deeply—to ourselves, to others, and to the silences that speak.
A powerful, courageous voice guiding others to heal and speak their truths through poetry.
How has your personal journey from Shiraz, Iran, to Westchester, New York, influenced your poetry and writing style?
Growing up in Westchester I often longed for the notion of “home.” I went to a predominantly White high school in Pelham, New York, and felt invisible in the sea of my classmates.
I had a nostalgic sense of the past, who I was, and what Iran could have been; I think that comes from losing my family/homeland. A lot of the Iranian diaspora, and I would imagine many immigrants might feel that way, especially in today’s climate.
Also, as a biracial immigrant (my father is from Ghana) I had an identity crisis. Since I don’t have a close relationship to my father I had to cultivate my African heritage through ancestral healing and poetry.
In a way my ancestry, artistic/philosophical nature and poetic sense has been my personal form of Kintsugi (the Japanese art form of putting back together broken pottery with gold lacquer.)
“I had a nostalgic sense of the past, who I was, and what Iran could have been.” – Caroline Reddy
What inspired you to create The Creative Breath writing workshop, and how has it evolved over time?
Due to a painful divorce and simultaneously the death of two of my spiritual mentors, in addition to all of the daily challenges I knew that I needed to be in a nurturing environment to heal and attended workshops.
At these retreats I grieved properly and was granted the opportunity to explore my identity as a creative being, irrespective of race, religion and nationality; no one had allowed me to live in that space before.
After years of practice in the healing arts, I knew that what I had learned would be valuable to others who had experienced trauma, grief, or wanted to dive deeper into their creative soul.
I began to host events in my own living room and invited fellow writers to join me in a healing expedition, through meditation, creative visualization and writing: thus The Creative Breath was born.
The Creative Breath incorporates all that I have learned from numerous workshops, meditation, martial arts and my own spiritual practices.
I am beyond grateful to New Rochelle Public Library and Poet’s House for giving me the opportunity to teach these workshops in a professional setting.
Shake the Atmosphere to Reclaim an Empty Moment explores themes of healing and transformation—was there a particular moment or experience that sparked this collection?
Throughout my life I struggled with my creative path vs. societal expectations (traditional role as a mother, wife and teacher.) I often felt as if I didn’t have a voice so I gave up writing. Being pulled by the muse of creativity I sent out a poem “A Sacred Dance” which was published, and then subsequently nominated for Best of the Net (Active Muse, 2021.)
That was my resounding sign from the universe to walk this path and to merge creativity with healing. I knew I needed help so I hired Chenee Fournier (a life coach and a healer.) Chenee allowed me to breathe in that creative space of flow again and encouraged me to stay on my journey.
With Chenee’s guidance I began to work on my first manuscript: a collection of poems that explored a plethora of archetypes (healer, wounded child and the rebel.) As I was witnessing ZanZendgeiAzadi, watching the women of Iran being stripped of their rights, all of these elements and life observations formed into Shake the Atmosphere to Reclaim an Empty Moment.
As a contributor to Iranian Women Speak, how do you see the role of poetry and art in raising awareness for human rights movements like ZanZendegiAzadi?
Currently, I am developing a course called “The Immigrant’s Voice” which will be taught at Poet’s House. While poetry helps me express complex emotions, I believe that my true purpose in life is to help others (especially women of color, outliers and anyone who felt like they didn’t have a place in society) to find their voice.
Working on Iranian Women Speak created a sacred space for anonymous voices; I believe that allowing another person who feels oppressed to have a voice is one of the most powerful forces of activism.
Your poetry often draws from Zen philosophy and the natural world—how do these elements shape your creative process?
Throughout my life I always felt at peace with the natural world. I live in New York, and I am surrounded by massive buildings; however, I often visit parks that allow me to breathe in nature’s frequencies.
I believe that meditating, walking, and experiencing nature allows us to become more spacious in our own lives. When we witness a bud blooming or the sun setting and leaving a purple trail in the evening sky, these moments become a reflection of creativity.
I also had the notion to write from the consciousness of a “Starbeing.” A Starbeing is identified as a sentient being who explores different dimensions of the universe. For Starbeings those dimensions consist of intuitive knowledge, healing rituals, meditation, and the natural world.
What has been the most unexpected response to your poetry, either from readers or during live readings?
Because of my work with the International Human Rights Arts Festival, people assume that I am very courageous. Through their response I have been able to feel that I am more courageous than I ever knew that I was; this allows me to hold the sacred space for others who are out there on the frontlines advocating for peace and justice and risking their own lives.
Learning that people care about what I have to say when most of my life I felt as though I coudln’t or shouldn’t have a voice has been powerfully affirming that I am on my right path.
What advice would you give to emerging poets who want to use their voice for advocacy and change?
Write everyday, find people that support and believe in you, and offer your support to others who are also on a creative path. Having people in my life who truly believe in me, and don’t try to change me, has allowed me to blossom into who I am today; and that allows me to have a voice and use my voice to change the world.
