Hello Poetry Lovers
Now don’t faint! I am actually addressing a contemporary issue instead of looking back as usual. You can hardly avoid these current times and lockdown, but I’ve made a bloomin’ good attempt!
For this issue, however, I will embrace it – or at least the wonderful poet Trisha Broomfield will. Fantastic Lockdown piece, showing us all the positive side of this unique and bizarre era. Fabulous reading.
Here’s a portrait of the poet herself, Trisha.
So, read on for this very personal and detailed poem….
Who and what got me through Lockdown
That jolly poet/artist Heather
those cheery girls from fab Bucks Leather
chatting with my dear chum Kirsty
countless cups of dark strong tea,
recording my own poetry.
Modelling clothes in my back yard
was fun, not even vaguely hard.
Zooming verse that was so new,
reading mine for all to view.
Walking very early, daily
greeting other walkers gaily
growing carrots, spuds and beans
living in my oldest jeans.
Live chats with my dearest sis
from my hubby, hugs and kiss(es)
that got me through.
Writing stories about people who
like me were caged in, in a zoo,
yoga helped to keep me supple,
the gift of living in a bubble.
Making soup in great big vats
talking to the neighbour’s cats,
watching calm Professor Whitty,
not giving in to much self-pity.
Reading chapters, stories, verse
from writer friends, who’re not averse
to editing the ones I send
suggestions of what I should amend,
Painting, sketching reading crime
scrubbing at the household grime.
Meeting Celia for coffee
who was fed up, bored as me,
we were brave and sat outside
gave others a berth quite wide.
Clapping for the NHS
eating chocolate to excess,
phoning friends from far and wide
knowing we’re on the self same side.
Sitting in my pal’s green acres
breathing countryside and spaces.
Gifts of eggs, more mugs of tea
beeswax from some local bees,
making face creams, in job lots
coming out in big red spots.
All of the above and more
have seen me through this viral chore.
Trisha Broomfield 2020
Wasn’t that just amazing?
Hands up who have embraced these things! I know I have. Not so hot on scrubbing household grime though – nor have I attempted soup for some years (my vegetable attempt was not to die for!). Otherwise, Trisha’s account struck a tender chord. Any other lockdown poems welcome.
Bless you, Trisha, thank you so much.
That’s all we’ve got time for, PL’s. I want to see those Lockdown poems flooding in….
Tune in for more poetry antics, same time, same channel……
Heather Moulson 