Category: poetry

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gratitude poetry wellbeing

Poetry as comfort: Seamus Heaney and that wonderful poem Blackberry-Picking!

I have to admit, poetry wasn’t an art I was into until this pandemic hit. I remember studying it for my exams in secondary school but that was it. I just didn’t get it.

Well. Talk about what I was missing. Maybe its getting older, life experience, sadness in our world, heightened emotions: but it really has been a means of comfort to me throughout COVID. Have you found comfort through this art?

Learning all about the art, writing my own poetry and reading from many great poets; transports me right back to familiar, relatable places while bursting with imagery and power.

Seamus Heaney’s Blackberry-Picking

Oh what poet doesn’t like Seamus Heaney? When I first started writing and reading poetry (during COVID) I started reading an anthology with a collection of his greatest poems ( I remember studying a few at school).

He was such a beautiful and talented poet; and could really hit the five senses in such a powerful way.

Blackberry-Picking:

Blackberry-Picking by Seamus Heaney

Being from the country in Ireland this poem just transports me back to that place of innocence during my childhood – where you would run through those fields picking those juicy blackberries from those bushes.Children just loved to run wild with anything they could find, in order to collect those blackberries. Living near my grandparents farm and even his description of the bath in the byre (you country folk will know this well)

Finding comfort through poetry during COVID

The pandemic has been difficult for you and I. We’re lived through something we could never have imagined. Connecting through poetry if its writing or reading some of the greats, has really opened my eyes and tapped into the emotions in such a powerful way when you let yourself ‘feel’ and get lost in those words.

Some of the greatest poems have been written through the hardest of times. Does this tell us that poetry isn’t dead, but is very much alive?

I’m so thankful I connected with poetry throughout the pandemic as a therapeutic outlet and is part of my life now going forward.

What poem/poet do you like that takes you down memory lane in the country?

Thank you for reading my post and have a beautiful day, reading some wonderful poetry!

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book reviews poetry poetry community Uncategorized

Poetry book reviews

Hello you!

So, with poetry being a “big” part of my I’ve bought many books: accumulating my fair share during g COVID (to get a feel for the different styles and to learn more about the art)

So I’ve picked a few of my favourites; and all for very different reasons.


Billy Collin’s work is witty and bursting with imagery. His conversational style makes it so enjoyable to read. A poem could have you laughing your heart out and pulling at those heart strings at the same time. His poems take you on a journey full of surprises. I LOVE his work and it’s no surprise he was appointed Poet Laureate twice.
This gorgeous anthology is relatable in so many ways from such raw, honest, heartfelt and beautiful accounts on motherhood! I’m part of this beautiful writing group (the mum poem press) who published this collection and it’s a great community of mums sharing experiences and learning about different poetry forms.
Oh Seamus Heaney, what can I say about a  poet who has written beautifully about the landscapes of Ireland, his childhood, his children,  love and loss.  Being Irish, his work transports me right back to many of my own childhood memories, especially being from the country myself. This collection (selected by his family) is filled with his greatest poems and many I remember studying in secondary school.
Stunning poetry/prose collection! Full of soulful, heartfelt poems. Covering love, heartbreak and growth. Taking you on a journey of self discovery. I love this book and is also the poets first collection.
This little book of inspirational quotes from an amazing poet is full of reminders on love, strength and empowerment. Full of inspiration to dip in and out of.
I’m still working my way through this lovely collection ( a gift from my lovely sister in law) of poems from many great poets… Lovely to read a poem every day and to have by your bedside table!
Not a poetry book, but a stunning inspirational book on love, kindness, trust and friendship. Everyone should read this. And you could have it read within the hour.

I also enjoy reading work by Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, Carol Ann Duffy, Mary Oliver and William Wordsworth.

So these are just a few from my poetry collection. I love discovering new poets, and also reading from the greats. However, at times it can be hard to get into a poem when you are first introduced to poetry; but taking your time and “feeling” those words just adds to the experience. I also enjoy reading inspirational books to empower you and keeping that cup half full!

Have you read any of these collections/poets? and who are your favourites?

Thank you for taking the time to stop by. Have a lovely day!

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growth poetry poetry community Uncategorized

Poetry and growth

So over the past 18 months I’ve fallen in love with reading and writing poetry as a creative outlet. This pandemic has opened my soul up to new experiences and coming out of my comfort zone by sharing my written pieces and also blogging/writing with pure honesty.

I’m so thankful for this and it really has been beneficial to my wellbeing, growth and being more present.

I wrote the following poem in response to a writing prompt from the mum poem press “I choose poetry because” for national poetry day on 7/10/21. It certainly sums up my relationship with poetry.

I choose poetry because…

It reaches the depth of my soul

Pulls on every heart string –

Every avenue is beautiful,

Breathtaking, painful, invigorating

Still, raw and full of growth.

I choose poetry because I had to,

It just happened.

Sometimes words flow; I can’t help it

Sometimes words are harder to find –

I dig deeper

I will choose poetry ” always”

Bernie Egerton

Poetry handbook to learn more about the art

Great poetry handbook to learn more about the art and from Mary Oliver, who was a beautiful poet ❤

Have you discovered poetry during these times and how has your relationship with poetry been? Or what have you discovered as a new hobby?

Thank you for taking the time to read my posts and have a beautiful day ❤🙏

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poetry

Poem: A new way of life

Hello you!

The following poem was the first poem I ever wrote, just after the first lockdown in England last year. I started writing to make sense of such a daunting situation. It was also the start of my beautiful journey with poetry and writing, which is very cathartic.

Most restrictions have been lifted today (19/07/21) in England and everyone is feeling mixed as cases still continue to rise. How are you feeling about it all at the moment? Its so normal if you’re feeling a mixture of emotions.

Thank you for reading, and hope you have a lovely day (sun is shining here in England 😎)

Continue doing what ‘you’ enjoy!