self portrait by Mark Gertler

Poem 3

The secret tree is not a secret
It stands on the edge of the field
Roots in the brook seeking water
Old man willow, your nooks are rooms
For hedgehogs, your limbs shape the den
That is supposed to be secret
Don't tell anyone, a child says
His shoe slips from his foot and falls
Deep into the tree, his sister
Breaks a stick and pokes the darkness
Retrieves it and silences all tears
Don't tell anyone this green tale
The secret tree is now your secret

poem 2

No toy guns, no plastic replica of a lethal device
I was firm about it; no guns, life is sacred
Then a stick was slashed into a whippy sabre
The thrust and parry of the common hazel twig
Lego built with care can be transformed into a star
Wars blaster; don't worry mum, we are only killing
Robots

poem 1 (yesterday)

NaPoWriMo

After trying national poetry writing month last november (and getting 5,000 word beginning of a novel that I have carried on with...slowly!) I am now going to try NaPoWriMo which is the national poetry writing month.

Starting tomorrow, I need to produce one poem for every april day.

On top of all my other tasks (lets not mention the dissertation proposal I am currently writing)

I am going to look at some poetry prompts to give me some good starting points.

I like the website because you can click on all the other participating poets and get to their websites, a wealth of browsing delights.

Go on, join in... http://www.napowrimo.net/

Pay Attention: A river of stones

During January I took part in an intriguing poetry exercise; to really notice one thing every day and write a 'small stone' about it. It was a calm, focusing exercise and I noticed some interesting things and some that were incredibly personal and helped me to gain some perspective in life.

The river of stones project is run by Fiona Robyn and Kaspalita to encourage people to write short observational pieces (small stones) as a way of engaging with themselves and with the world. They are really interesting and kind people who have a mission:

Fiona and Kaspa

'We would love for people to walk around with their eyes, fingers, mouths, noses and ears more open. To enjoy writing things down. And to love the world a teensy bit more as a result.'

 

When I took part it was for the poetry aspect but I finished by finding a great deal of spiritual illumination. I would like to thank Fiona and Kaspa for their encouraging blogs and especially Fiona's very useful book that is a pleasure to read and it is free to download. So generous to share it like that : )

 

"Lorrie, who has pea-green eyes and mousey hair, lives in a narrow grey house and works in a call-centre in a grey office building. If you asked her whether she was happy, she wouldn't know how to answer you. Until she is shown something that's right under her nose, and which changes everything...

Lorrie's story is stitched through my brand new e-book, 'How to write your way home'. It also contains simple instructions to help you feel more connected to yourself & to the world, information on hunting & polishing small stones, advice on how to build a creative network & much more."

 

 

 

You can download 'How to write your way home' HERE

 

 I would suggest people take part in the next project in July because it is really a wonderful experience, find out about the next river of stones project here

 

After the month was ended I was lucky enough to be selected to go into the River of Stones book! If you want to read my small stones and many other wonderful moments of observation, there is a link below.

Pay Attention: A river of stones

Pamela Courson by Jim

My girl waits for me in tender time



 

American Boy, American Girl, most beautiful people in the world

I see your hair is burning, hills are filled with fire, 
if they say I never loved you, you know they are a liar

I love you the best, better than all the rest

She has robes and she has flunkeys



I'll just this about all that, I was the mouse who caught the cat



She has wisdom and knows what to do



She could talk, yeah, we learned how to speak