I like poetry!

I do, I really do but it took me a lot of courage to say so because as soon as I say that I like it people expect me to be sort of knowledgeable and I'm not.
I can't quote poets, i haven't got a clue about poetic form, I can't discuss it in an academic manner.

When i say I like poetry I mean I like how it feels, what it does to me (and sometimes for me) I can read or hear a piece and feel it so much and I don't care whether it's true to form or written in the poets 'striped cheetah' period, whether it's 'famous' or whether it's someones only ever attempt (and yes, I do think that everyone has poetry within them).

I like writing poetry as well, sometimes I'm silly, or sad, sometimes I'm awesome or bad but it really doesn't matter because it's my poetry, my life, my feelings and as a sort of human being I do have many facets.
Whenever someone shows me a poem that they have written I remember that it is an extension of themselves and \I am privileged to be allowed that glimpse

blah blah

just thought I'd drop in and blow off some steam.

Spent a while this afternoon watching my family disintegrating and feeling as though I was watching from the outside. How strange that I felt no real emotion, that I could see all the anger and the vitriol and do nothing but hum quietly to myself. Hey perhaps I've finally lost it!

Moving on to other things I found I had two anonymous replies on my blog today. One, on a post about England's performance in the rugby world cup final (how long ago is that!) saying that the writer disagreed with me and could provide evidence if I just got in touch via PM errrrr, you're anonymous mate! and do i really care, my blog=my opinions. The second 'reply was on my flash 55 yesterday. Bloody spammer, I do not like people using my work to push their crap, my friends don't need it and I don't want it. I do not want to go down the road of checking stuff before it is allowed because I'd rather trust people to be nice (maybe that is my failing)

On a much more positive note , I'm enjoying writing again and just hoping that people aren't getting sick of me pushing my writing down their throats, going back to helium has done me good, I have re-discovered some old friends and made some new ones. Wow, two of my kids are writing on helium now. Jack lied about his age and signed up and Sophie re-activated her old account and has a poem at the number 1 spot (out of 112) which has made me very proud (and, as I introduced her I will earn a little on her success lol)


There, I feel better now, don't be strangers xx

Fame at last (pt 1)

I blogged about the fact that I was going to have the chance to read some of my poetry in public a while ago but forgot to say that it happened, it was a great experience and I think people liked what I read.
The members of my writing group read a selection of our writing at The Red Shed in Wakefield (there is a web site but I can't find it at the moment)I decided to read a serious poem and a more humorous one and it seemed that the audience were into humour.
This is the first time I've read my stuff in public but now I know it won't be the last. The Red Shed have an open mike session and I'm going along in a few weeks.......

I'm rather pleased

but also a little nervous.

My writing group have been invited to do live poetry readings in March so I'm busy trying to decide whether to use something I have already or write something new.

More later

at last

received a parcel today containing the poetry anthology containing my poem.
I have decided that if every contributor buys a couple of copies then the publisher will have made money, it's not vanity publishing but almost lol.
At the end of the day I feel proud that I can see my work in print (even if no-one else does!)

I like being a child

the last couple of poems I've written have been for children and a comment was made that I should treat poetry seriously and write on a deeper level.
It made me feel that I shouldn't put them on my poetry blog but then they ARE poetry, they are what I'm writing and enjoying and I LIKE BEING A CHILD

my scribbling

I have finally started putting some of my senseless cognitive\literary rambling on my musing toad blog. I say begun because I've only put two on there so far.
I have decided that i should just put everything on there and not try to decide if individual pieces are worthy.

employment for a surplus blog

Did I ever mention that I have three blogs and that I have difficulty throwing stuff away?

Well I have decided that I am going to start putting my poetry (forgive my pride in calling my scribblings that)onto my existing blog 'A musing Toad' there-by making use of a currently underused resource and collecting my jottings in one place.

Oh, except that I will keep some jottings hidden because they were never meant for public consumption.

Please be patient as i don't do anything fast these days.

Carefree days, playful,fun
lazy times 'neath summer sun
little thought, no future planned
hot days and nights go hand in hand

hand in hand through autumn trees
hiding from the chilling breeze
snuggled up with books and wine
preparing for a darker time

Through the darkness,
holding fast
seeking warmth
in bonds that last
remembering much brighter days
good friends both voice and spirits raise

But as we slip on icy verges
we see hope then spring emerges
washed and cleansed by gentle rain
the world is new, life starts again

poem - half a world

So many wished for meetings
plans of what to say
if you weren't a distant dream
half a world away

A life so carfully scripted
where love has paved our way
except that you're a distant dream
half a world away

but when reaching hands fall short
soul song might hearts belay
and you'll be my forever dream
only half a world away.

it's my trumpet and I'll blow it if I want to

ok, it's not a major deal but......

I'm having one of my poems published in an anthology.

I won't make anything from the deal but I welcome the affirmation that i wrote a poem that was judged good enough.

another wholesale theft from my good friend KB

You Should Be A Poet

You craft words well, in creative and unexpected ways. And you have a great talent for evoking beautiful imagery... Or describing the most intense heartbreak ever. You're already naturally a poet, even if you've never written a poem.

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

just a poem

I wandered lonely
no romance
seeking just one kiss, one dance
but I couldn't win a heart
so I decided I'd depart
and find true love
away from here
I'm packing up
with not a tear
I'm going to move to Mills and Boon
where men are men
and women swoon
where love is just a gasp away
the sex is hot
and no one's gay
The sun always shines
the people tanned
bills and traffic jams are banned
Handsome sheiks with many wives
and all of them with bedroom eyes
the nurses simper
their bosoms heaving
when they hear that Dr Love is leaving.
Ever man is rich and fit
with chiselled jaw and charming wit
perfect hair
and deep blue eyes
washboard stomach
muscled thighs.
Women's lib?
no need for that
no single parents
unsightly fat
every lady is complete
perfect figure head to feet.

I tried to move there
I really tried
but those oh so perfect folk inside
locked the gates and barred the doors
they couldn't cope with normal flaws.

what do you think?

following on from my previous posting about my writing ability.
I realised that all poems submitted to the site are available for public rating so follow the link and give your opinion please
MY POEM
be honest, I can take it lol

comment on my writing

I recently submitted a poem to a poetry site hoping that I would get some constructive feedback or (fingers crossed) win a prize.
Some time later I received an e mail rejecting the poem and I quote

'try to choose a recognised style'
'read some of our poets and look at how they use verse'

I was a little hurt but I know that poetry is a very individual thing.

I then submitted a second poem and today I received an e mail announcing that I had won an award! I felt so excited.

Opened the e mail and found that my 'win' entitles me to purchase an award pin, a plaque and a watch in recognition of my achievement.

*sob*

Flash 55: For that special someone

Like the returning sun
after a long, cold winter
you filled my days with warmth and joy
you drove away my demons
you illuminated a world of beauty
bade me turn my face to you
to feel your caress

I close my eyes now
and like the summer sun
you are imprinted on my eye.

Grow up! (flash 55)

Grow up, feel the pain
of labouring in vain

Hear the ticking of the clock
growing faster, keen to mock

See the leaves fall from the tree
wondering how long spring will be

Believe that you just can't win
with your spirit lost within

Chase deadlines until your dead
where once you chased dreams instead

On being a sausage

I wish I was a sausage
oh what a life it is
just lying in a nice warm pan
going
plink, bang, fizz

I 'd get an even sun tan
without using factor eight
and then I'd join the eggs and beans
lying on the plate

Unemployment

Job Centre

It's over
while I wait to begin
at the end of the road
looking back

I wonder if it's possible to believe
that what's behind
can give me hope
that the road so far
can pave future ways

The carefully placed building blocks
my firm foundation
lie cracked and broken
hardcore for another future

Crush

CRUSH

Give no sign
not word
or smile
our balance is precarious

don't go ahead
stay behind
masks of indifference

never reveal
forever concealed
dream on

feign coolness
but know
the heart beats still within