The H Word….

Hello Poetry Lovers

This week, we give another nod to lovely poet and tutor Sue Burge who feeds me a poetry gym keyword every week. I would thoroughly recommend it.

A very recent task was to make a poem using the word H. This particular letter has a distinct sound as you draw breath to say it. And it’s at the front of all sort of fun words and emotions.

Here’s a hapless piece (you’re getting it already, aren’t you!) I drew up. Grim in places but you know how it is…..

Hapless Piece

Homesickness woke me but hope warmed my coffee

Happiness not at home but humility washed the dirty plates

Hovering cigarette in the ashtray and an unwashed floor 

Hatred could so easily take over the household, with 

Humiliation moving in as its housemate. 

Haplessness could so easily succumb to hysteria but

Home is the only place I have. 

H Moulson 2023

And if that one didn’t depress you, this one will….

Got up. Happiness not at home so 

Hope warms up my coffee 

Heartwarming clothes on the dryer

Wool engulfs my cold skin 

However, the day looked dire 

H Moulson 2023

Do have a shot at this. All the letters we take for granted can open up a new meaning. I look forward to your H pieces first.

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. More poetry action real soon…..

Domestic Corner…

Hello Poetry Lovers

Now I love writing about housework, I have no idea why. I’m not an avid follower of this practice. (Sneezes from the dust).

I mean, my dollshouse is immaculate, not a hair out of place but a 1:1 home …. Well….

The lovely talented poet Trisha Broomfield has given us a sharp insight into the nostalgia we carry of our mothers doing housework as we were growing up. Who remembers Fight the Flab by the hallowed Terry Wogan? Everybody, I think. This is so well summed up.

Do read on for this lovely piece….

Dusting

Mum wore stilettos to do the dusting

kicking them under the sideboard

the minute Terry Wogan began his

Fight the Flab.

She bent, stretched, 

plied her way round the dining room,

stopping only to make a coffee

with full cream milk.

The dust awaited her return,

settling down softly

behind her back.

Afternoons were filled with ironing

she burnt through dad’s vest

while watching the racing on TV,

as her choice romped home lengths ahead.

The next day, more dusting,

spraying surfaces with Pledge

daring dust to settle.

It took no notice.

Motes floated, 

slid along sunbeams chuckling

daring her to flick her yellow duster.

But she did, 

stilettos at the ready, duster in hand

she gave battle daily.

20/04/2023Trisha Broomfield

Wasn’t that wonderful, PL’s. Thank you so much, Trisha. Please keep them coming. There is housework in all our souls, as cherished as cooking…..

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon….

More Cat Action…..

Hello Poetry Lovers

Yes, we’re back to my favourite subject – Cats.

Clever and talented poet Trisha Broomfield has written a beautiful nonet and tanka on our feline pals, and put over their personality with skill.

Thank you so much, Trisha. Please keep them coming. Read on to enjoy these clever pieces ;

Cat Nonet

Cat

slinking,

thinks unseen,

soft pads slowly

sinking into grass,

believes birds unaware

cat breathes, pausing, life on edge,

blackbird, alarm call, all awakes.

cat feigns nonchalance, silent spell breaks.

Trisha Broomfield 2023

Cat Tanka

Cat wakes and stretches

a warm night spent on cushions

twitches his whiskers

long-limbed looks for birds to catch

up above blue tits hatch.

©TB

Weren’t they just stunning pieces, PL’s. Thank you again, Trisha (and Perry).

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s, we’ll be back with more poetry action real soon…..

Blackout Poem

Hello Poetry Lovers

Today we look at the Blackout poem. Thanks to a prompt from Surrey New Writers Festival, I took on this daunting task. For the uninitiated, you have to find an article or piece of about 500 words, and select 30 to 40 words

Like so, as they used to say on the TV. It can be quite fiddly. So I selected 30 words from Matt Rudd’s column in The Sunday Times magazine. Then listed them all and composed some sort of logical piece.

The idea is that they can summarise the original piece, or present a counter-argument. Not sure if I’ve done either but it’s been fun trying.

Easter   Choirboy

Vicar   Desired   God 

Sin   Forgiveness 

Woolworth   Pilfered  Sweet

Bonfire    Spreadsheet 

Pearly gates  Absolute  Hell 

Almighty

Religion  Concluded  Childhood 

Christian   Reason 

Seventh  Day

Death  Nothingness  Eternity 

Kinder    Neighbour 

Magical  Comforting 

Purgatory 

H Moulson 2023

Phew! Another form learnt. Now, PL’s, there’s a blackout poem in your soul – don’t argue – and I would love to see them. Cheers to Surrey New Writer’s Festival for opening another door to me

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back real soon……

Introducing The Booming Lovelies

Hello Poetry Lovers

Well I said there was some exciting news and here it is. I cannot believe we are doing this wonderful venture at the Guildford Fringe Festival this year.

However, it is all confirmed, booked, decided and I still keep pinching myself (ouch!).

Upstairs at The Keep Pub – opposite Guildford Castle – on Friday 7th July at 8 pm, we – the Booming Lovelies, with Sharron Green and Trisha Broomfield – will be performing there. Our first ever Fringe! So exciting.

To think, last June, when we went to see the fabulous poet Robert Garnham perform at that very same venue, it did not occur to us we would be performing there ourselves. How unpredictable life is.

The lovely Robert will be back there on 28th June so do catch his act, and please catch our’s a week later. There will be many many updates…..

This is an extract from the online brochure….

“Meet the Booming Lovelies! Ladies of a certain age, unafraid to share their wealth of life experience with anyone brave enough to listen and curious to hear. Poetically primed and eager to charm with verses on everything from nostalgia for the last century to lost loves, the menopause and the joys and complexities of modern life. All welcome – there’s something for everyone – so relax and enjoy a wonderful performance.”

TICKETS £10

These are pictures of us at rehearsal yesterday:

So watch this space, PL’s, for further updates. Thanks for tuning in…..

Click on the link below for more information and how to get tickets….

Meet the Booming Lovelies

Seasons…..

Hello Poetry Lovers

How could I not write about seasons during this turbulent weather?!

Glimpses of sun and warmth filtering through vicious wind and chill.

So I selected the verse that used to be on the back of exercise books. There are two versions but I chose this one because it was longer. Now, we all know this one and it’s followed by a beautiful piece by Christina Rossetti, which is far more visual…..



Thirty days has September,


April, June, and November,


All the rest have thirty-one,


Save February at twenty-eight,


But leap year, coming once in four,


February then has one day more.

Traditional

My Lady Spring

My Lady Spring is dressed in green, 

She wears a primrose crown, 

And little baby buds and twigs

Are clinging to her gown;

The sun shines if she laughs at all, 

But if she weeps the raindrops fall. 

Christina Rossetti

Wasn’t that a lovely piece? How I wish we could see her read live.

Now, you must tell me your favourite seasons and poems! That’s an order!

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action and some exciting news real soon….

Scandal….

Hello Poetry Lovers

Do you remember The News of the World, that old Sunday staple? Well, this following poem is not dissimilar to one of their scandalous headlines!

Our cub reporter was there in person, readers, and brought us all the scandal of this poetry party and their lewd behaviour! Such an expose! Read on if you dare….

Sestina fell in love with Haiku

Swearing blind their love was true 

Limerick swooned over Trimeric’s verses

So did Villanelle – who muttered curses

Triadic held tight onto Epic’s arm 

Staying susceptible to Elfchen’s charm

One Minute Poem with Tanka flirted 

All Serious issues completely skirted 

Didactic gave their orders and instructions

Tritina went through the usual functions 

Ekphrastic and Dactylic Hexameter kissed 

While the sonnets were busy getting pissed 

The Chant poem just went on and on 

While nonet and couplets got it on 

For Triolet, it was love at first sight

Walking with Madrigal in the moonlight 

(The Italian version!) 

H Moulson 2023

Would you believe it, PL’s?! Those nice innocuous poems! Or so we thought! Stunned and shocked by their behaviour! Any poetry scandal you have, please pass this way! Good for circulation!

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back real soon….

Party of the Year….

Poetry Party

Well Hello, Poetry Lovers

I’m afraid this post is by invitation only, and NO trainers beyond this point! This is the party event of the year.

I was just reading about Truman Capote’s Black & White Ball in ‘66 which was the triumphant event of the season! Well, not anymore, Mr Capote! Eat your heart out!

Wonderful poet Sharron Green has given us the party to end all parties. Only the very elite are sent a gilt-edged invitation. Those chosen guests, please line up at the door……

Poetry Party

A poetry party’s odes of fun,
it flows so well, excuse the pun.


There’s room for all from far and wide,
both long and short stand side by side.


There’s Limerick who’s such a card,
and Sonnet posing as the bard.


Pantoum all dolled up like a dame,
and Villanelle the household name.


Sestina leaves all guests in awe,
but Epic has been known to bore.


Elfchens and nonets take good care
they count their words so none are spare.


Haiku and Tanka spend the night
ensuring syllables are right.


A few like ghazal and rondeau
repeat themselves but charm us though.


Some guests are free verse others rhyme
and all rejoice at party time!

@rhymes_n_roses

Wasn’t that just a terrific party?! Thank you for that, Sharron. Please keep those invitations coming.

Now, PL’s, I’m sure you’ve got a terrific social engagement to share with us. Answers on a postcard please.

Thanks for tuning in, Poetry Lovers, we’ll be back real soon…..

Poetry Dinner Party

Hello Poetry Lovers,

Now I usually have a bit of a block with dinner parties – meaning I avoid them like the plague!

However, not this one, I’d be breaking down the door to attend, and I wouldn’t be fashionably late either! I’d be the first in the queue.

Clever poet Trisha Broomfield has created an ideal poetry dinner party which everyone in town would dream of being invited to. An equivalent to Truman Capote’s Black & White Balls in Manhattan. What a great piece, Trisha, thank you so much

Dinner Party Verse

Begin with simple couplets,

(You don’t want to overwhelm your guests).

Serve a sparkling Villanelle (shows a knowledge of form)

place bowls of acrostic around the table

Offer a choice of meaty sestina or light cinquain,

season with vowels (a and e only)

this course is best accompanied with a light lyric,

or a more full bodied pantoum, one glass per guest.

Make allowances for any guest who may have haiku,

and those who require a triolet break.

Nonets will calm digestion,

you may include free verse for those rhyme sensitive.

Dessert, serve softened sonnets.

For a bit of sauce, spoon over senryu.

Limericks to finish and a selection of epigrams.

And all will be well.

©TB

Wasn’t that a great dinner party, PL’s?!

Certainly the talk of the town! Fantastic Trisha, please host another one sooon!!

Now, I would like to see some of Your poetry table concoctions, PL’s. Follow Trisha’s good example and get that recipe to me Now!!

Thanks for tuning in, we’ll be back real sooon…..

Poetry Soup

Hello Poetry Lovers

Well, I keep hearing the words Poetry Soup lately and I couldn’t resist sharing my family poetry recipes. All out of my dog eared poetry cookbook, natch. I hope this piece inspires some great poetry meals…..

Poetry Soup

Put in some vowels 

Cook on a low heat 

until they grow 

Then throw in some rhymes 

and a drizzling of syllables 

before pouring in some humour

Cook till there is genuine warmth 

and interpretation 

At the least you’ll be simmering 

a nice juicy triolet 

At the most an alphabet form.

Left to mature they could become 

a duplex or a chant 

Tuck in and enjoy 

Alternatively fry 17 syllables with some nature 

and creative oil for a haiku. Or 11 words

for a tasty Elfchen. Avoid limericks if you can. 

Skinny poems go on a more medium heat but beware of lines 2, 6 and 10. Do not over season. 

Or just throw some ideas in a big pan haphazardly for a free form piece. 

For a Trimeric broth, or a Golden Shovel stew, see page 17 

For the more ambitious who want to make a 

villanelle or sestina, use your slow cooker for 

several hours. 

For an epic poem simmer overnight.

Be wary that the dactylic hexameters and stressed syllables don’t over cook.  

I hope you jotted these recipes down, PL’s, because I want to see the finished products. I know you’ll brew up a fine concoction. A Ghazal pie perhaps? Or a couplet soufflé? The possibilities are endless.

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon….