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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 ❤🙏

Categories
family motherhood personal development wellbeing

Reminders, and a poem about the balance, changes you go through when becoming a mummy/parent!

Hello you!

I wrote the following poem a few months back after joining a poetry writing group for mums. Since the beginning of this pandemic (when I started writing poetry) most of my poetry was written about Covid and nature.

When I started writing about motherhood, it made me think of the changes you go through when becoming a parent; but also the pure joy and unconditional love that you have for your children.

Parenting is hard, it’s rewarding, full of surprises and it’s a pick and mix of emotions: and throwing a pandemic on top of it all? Well. But the laughs from your little people, their little funny ways tugs at those heart strings like nothing else. And you would do ANYTHING for them..

I often sit back and watch my 4 and 2 year old girls playing, to absorb those precious, precious moments that flash by in an absolute heartbeat! Savoring those little moments, that you will never get back. Hugging them to pieces: without the rushing about and before they tell you to ‘get off’.

If I’ve learned anything, it’s to stop trying to be a perfect parent (that’s impossible) and to enjoy every moment. Doing the best you can is the very best you can ever do.


Poem:

Reminders

I often look at the bride beaming down
from the canvas photo –
two stone lighter, a wife,
running enthusiast: not yet a mummy.
I often look at my tummy; it sits like a bag of wheat,
my thighs dimpled like an orange.
I often look at my ashen roots,
reflecting every bit of my years.
I often look at how I indulge in chocolate,
A withered flower blowing with those gales

The beaming bride? Two stone lighter,
but gaining two of the most
precious gifts to run after.
My bag of wheat? Two beautiful little cakes were created.
My ashen roots? Life doesn’t stand still
and there’s no cheating that
(a trip to the hairdressers does pretty well!).
My chocolate craving?
A tired mummy, lockdown mummy, craves that chocolate:
In a lower gear –
while sipping that obligatory glass of gin & tonic.

Reminders of life. A wife.
A mummy. Lockdown
and my birthing tummy.


So here’s a toast to you as a parent, the juggling act that goes along with it and YOU are enough.

Have a beautiful day, savouring those moments with your little blossoms and also being kind to yourself throughout the process.

Categories
poetry writing tips

Ten tips, to help you on your poetry writing journey and some styles!

When I started writing poetry I was eager to learn more about the skills attached to this incredible creative outlet.

The following tips can help ‘you’ strengthen your writing skills and to understand more about the art if you’re just starting off.
Its a few pointers on what helped me (and still does) starting out. I continue to learn every day and I’ve had a few poems published to date.


Ten Poetry Writing Tips:

1. Read a poetry handbook to learn more about the craft, highlighting sections for future reference so you can always refer back to (I still refer back to mine!)


2. Read poetry every day, from a range of different poets, styles, themes, even if its just one or two poems each day.


3. Listen to online poetry readings and recordings, feeling the flow of the words and to connect in a form different to reading.

4. Listen to a poetry podcast


5. Keep writing when in the flow, when inspiration hits and feel that poem.

6. Edit later, or leave for a few days and return to edit with fresh eyes and read aloud.

7. If feeling overwhelmed with writing, give it a breather and read poetry instead (you’re still learning and absorbing all about the art)


8. Find what style you prefer and work on it.


9. Join poetry clubs and share your work

10. Lastly, enjoy the process 🙂


Styles:

Recently I’ve been focussing on writing shorter types of poetry such as Limericks and Haikus.

A Haiku consists of 3 lines in total and the traditional rules are:
Line one has 5 syllables
Line two has 7 syllables
Line three has 5 syllables

A Limerick consists of a five line poem and it can be witty and fun to write. Traditional rules are: First second and fifth line rhyme
Third & fourth line rhyme (AABBA)
First, second & fifth lines have between 7-10 syllables
Third & fourth lines have between 5-7 syllables

Hope these tips help ‘you’ with your poetry writing – its what helped me when starting out!


A haiku to start your day with!

Turning the page to

A crisp new day, breathe a smile

Wipe away the dust

Connectwithpoetry.com

Stay safe, keep smiling and happy writing 🙂

Categories
Humour

A Lighthearted Spin on a Covid-19 Home Testing Kit!

Now, If anyone had told you this time last year that sticking a gigantic cotton bud up your nose, and swirling it around your tonsils was the new normal; you wouldn’t believe it and would’ve laughed your head off! Well here I am, giving a detailed account through an instruction type poem of my experience (overall it wasn’t that bad) of such a test. We all need a bit of lightheartedness right now!


Pilot Home Testing Kit

Covid-19 test arrives in the post.

Contents:
Instructions pamphlet (here we go)
DIY flat cardboard box the size of an Ipad.
Small clear plastic bag and a slightly larger bio hazard bag (scary)
Swab (a gigantic cotton bud, note to self – DO NOT insert into ear)
Pretty lilac cap test tube with saline solution and barcode (so cute)
Security label.

Test:
I wash my hands thoroughly for 20 seconds as instructed.
I unwrap and place the gigantic cotton bud swab into the back of my throat (thrilling)
Rub each tonsil 5 times (as instructed, trying so hard not to gag of course).
Best bit to come…
I Place the gigantic cotton bud swab into nostril and twist while
going as far up as I Can (lovely)
Test over.
Relief.
I sneeze about twenty thousand times before washing my hands yet again!

Final part:
Unscrew pretty lilac cap, place swab into tube with clear solution –
while snapping end off (as instructed, just so you know)
Place into clear plastic bag, seal, then place into scary bio hazard bag.


Register barcode online to register your name and details (why of course)
Fiddle about assembling the small cardboard box while flustered/annoyed. Place bag with pretty lilac cap test tube, and swab into box (while flustered/annoyed after assembling).
Attach security label and seal with a kiss (maybe not)
Skip to the nearest priority post box, and post.

Two days later I receive a text:
“Your test result is negative” (Woo hoo)
“You did not have the virus when test was done” (oh ok)
Pilot home testing kit complete.
Great –
I will not be included as a daily figure stat.
I cough –
Oh no…

(A mummy trying to stay sane
during a global pandemic!)


Categories
paddys day

Heres to You Paddy! A Limerick For the Day Thats in it…🍀

So being from the Emerald Isle, I wish you a ‘Happy St Patricks Day’. Whether you’re Irish, whatever your connection is. I hope you manage to drown that shamrock over your favourite drink!

So paint those cheeks (now, now, now I meant cheeks on your face), get the music pumping – the irish dancing shoes on and show that kitchen who rocks!!


Limerick 🍀

So Paddy your Shamrock is here
Parades bloody cancelled this year
But your spirits so big
We’ll dance an auld jig
As we toast with a cold bottled beer!


Stay safe, keep smiling and may the luck of the shamrock be with you 🍀

Categories
motivation

A Limerick to Spur You on & how we Miss our Family & Friends

Limerick

Together we’re witty & wild
Loving our true inner child
Connections so strong
Oh its been too long
And that’s just putting it mild!!


Oh you do miss the banter (as we say in Ireland) with great friends and family. Its hard in lockdown – with all the restrictions in place and family/friends being spread out in different countries. But, all the funny moments and the memories are precious – making the much needed hug when all this is over, even more special!! A drink of choice over a video call will have to do for now, but thats ok.


Family and friends

Tea with milk

The perfect blend

-connectwithpoetry.com

Categories
mindfulness

Mindfulness

I wrote this reflective poem, just after a mindful walk. Being present, focussing on nature and the beauty that surrounds you, while appreciating the small but important things; makes such a difference!

Lost in the Moment of Life and its Art

A Flock of wild birds
they fly in chilled air
I walk, embracing
the earths open heart.
A seagull it sweeps,
alone with no care
lost in the moment
of life and its art.
The ring of church bells,
white tracks,
a blue sky,
children,
they giggle
dog walkers pass by.
Bare trees that stand tall
with nests where birds grew,
leaves lying crumpled
and soggy from dew.
Clear beads as they rest
on blades of green grass,
autumn alive,
soft clouds as they pass.
A squirrel,
It dances,
I watch, he’s aware,
Its bushy long tail,
he captures my stare.
This vision absorbed,
the rush is no more,
nature alive
unlocking my core.
Connections so strong
I open my heart,
lost in the moment
of life and its art