Heather Moulson

Baggage ….

Hello Poetry Lovers

My return to Tenby for the pamphlet launch is looming, and I was taken with poet Trisha Broomfield’s terrific piece on packing. Not only is this beautifully written, it’s also so relevant to me and my current packing.

Sad, wistful, nostalgic and very amusing contents are listed here. Not to mention how high maintenance we get as the years shed away. Do have a look and see how it strikes a chord;

Rucksacks and Other Packs

I was always happy to pack my rucksack;

socks, t-shirts, teabags, toothbrush,

Stergene and Silverkrin, in sachets,

clothes old, rolled, rollers, spare boots and vest,

rice, Fig Rolls, toilet rolls,

Rimmel face powder, Orchid, I think,

a black eye pencil.

Now my suitcase groans,

despite the lack of aforementioned items,

there is more ladies intimate apparel,

conditioner, moisturiser, eyebrow pencil, eyelash curlers,

(really) foot cream, hand cream, brushes, paperbacks,

I’m not a Kindle lover, notebooks and pens,

(I like to write real).

now I pack a host of ‘in case’s in my case,

which weighs more than my trusty rucksack ever did,

just because it can.

02/11/2022Trisha Broomfield

Wasn’t that a marvellous piece of writing?! And so true! Thank you so much, Trisha, keep them coming. That will be all my contents in a poor groaning suitcase this week..

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

Joy in Kentish Town

Hello Poetry Lovers

I simply have to share my new discovery of the Torriano Meeting House in Kentish Town. The home of so much innovative poetry, and many wonderful poets. A place I only heard about but never thought I’d enter…

A night organised by superhero poet Julian Bishop (he neglected to bring his cape and mask!), so us SKEGS online group could get together, and I fell in love with this bijou venue on first sight

I finally embraced four of our lovely online members face to face:

The beautiful, amazing Charlotte Baldwin

The powerful and enigmatic Sarah Perillo

The gifted and very moving Vanessa Lampert

And the man himself, the talented Julian Bishop

Not quite sure who this pushy poet was, or who invited her.

We were joined by two wonderful open micers – the fabulous Dan Kennedy (above right) and a lovely poet called Tom (I didn’t get your last name, Tom, forgive me). And I knew them both!

Superb poems were read, which included rabbits, moths, ice cream from Clifton Village, and Ramsgate. Plus Julian’s magnificent eco-poems, especially Serendipity which has now been shortlisted for the Morrab Library Competition. Well done!

And even better is that I will be returning on 4th December to read with the wonderful and enigmatic Wendy Young. What a birthday treat that will be!

Thank you so much, my lovely SKEGS friends for this super evening. Thanks also to Penny for taking this photo and running such a wonderful place.

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s and sharing my Sunday night adventure. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon…….

Halloween

Hello Poetry Lovers

How could I let Halloween go by without mentioning it?! Which I nearly did, and I’m very grateful to superb poet Trisha Broomfield who wrote this wonderful piece.

It’s marvellous and clever and I had such fun illustrating this wonderful poem. Especially as there were cats involved, needless to say….

Do read on

Broomstick F Type

I didn’t buy it for the label

and the ride is rather hard

I feel each bump and boulder,

the back end’s rather charred.

The suspension’s a bit iffy

the turning circle’s poor

but it shoots at speed in seconds

and you should hear it roar.

You do not like the colour

and for some magenta shouts,

it’s not black and sleek like others,

but it’s me, there is no doubt.

There is no room for passengers

except, of course, the cat,

he has his own gold seatbelt

and a black and pointy hat.

If you hear a whoosh and soft meow

it’s only me and Perry,

we do our rounds of witches’ pubs

and get ourselves quite merry.

So on Halloween, close curtains

but keep on your outside lights,

I find navigation tricky

on these dark and spooky nights.

Trisha Broomfield 2022

Wasn’t that just wonderful and atmospheric?! Thank you so much, Trisha. Keep them coming!

Well, Happy Halloween, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon……

Nostalgia Corner..

Hello Poetry Lovers

Once again I have become nostalgic and have turned my attention this time to Talcum Powder.

Not that boring Johnson’s one for babies in Superdrug, but the Christmas present staple we used to receive by relatives and family friends. Scorned publicly but privately treasured, especially in their beautifully decorated tins.

Anyway I’ve written down my thoughts, do read on;

Talcum Powder

Where have you been, talcum powder?

I miss your lingering tang on other people’s bodies

Not to mention your caress under my armpits

And other enticing places.

Your very white softness flouring up my pasty skin,

the fine powder reaching the back of my throat

How come I can only find you in obscure chemists?

When you were once a Christmas present staple?

A tight smile as the wrapping was stripped away

On a par with socks for Dad, and Eat Me dates

Unwelcome but compulsory at Yuletide

It was your tin I loved the best – especially a

Lavender one.

Reassuring on the shelf, next to Dad’s razor

And Old Spice that was never used.

I hope you identified with that one, PL’s. Old Spice was in abundance in our house but I don’t recall it ever being actually used. Talc found it’s use, and the white speckled bathroom floor was a common sight.

Thank you for tuning in, PL’s. Now you can’t tell me you’re not wistful for something like this – certainly bath cubes or many other obscure items. I want those answers on a postcard…..

Alphabet Poem

Hello Poetry Lovers

Today I would like to share an abecedarian poem with you. Inspired by the wonderful poet Sue Burge’s Mind Gym, this alphabet form has very rich pickings for any subject. Mine for instance, is about knickers! Now 26 lines may seem a tall order, but once you get into it….well, see for yourself ;

Knickers …..

A huge wet mess left there on the

Bathroom floor, tiles scattered with

Chamomile talc, red bath gel and

Discarded underwear, the Lacy

Edges still there, formerly white

Frills that were so pretty, now

Going to seed and worn right through,

Holes in abundance, you need to get

It together and go up Marks & Spencer

Just to get some more plain cotton

Knickers that would be comfortable plus

Lipstick, eyeliner, powder and mascara

Max factor is always good, you’ll rid the

Notion that you don’t fit in. Is it

Only me who can see your beauty and full

Potential? How you could easily become

Queen of this town, and how you could

Rightly hold your head up high and

Stare at people in the eye, not look away.

Things are waiting beyond that dark

Underpass you constantly hide behind,

Violently and relentlessly resisting and

Willing to put over yet another

Xerox of your self in very faded ink.

You know better than that, so jump in my

Zephyr car and get some decent knickers!!

Wasn’t that just a fascinating form of poetry, PL’s?! Get writing now and send your alphabet poems on a postcard to the usual address.

Thanks for stopping by, we’ll be back with more poetry action real soon….

That’s Poetry II

Hello Poetry Lovers

I can’t believe my luck, talented poet Trisha Broomfield has come up with my favourite subject to define what poetry is to her. Yes, her cat, Perry!

Such rich sketching ground and a very beautiful piece. I couldn’t resist adding cats of many colours too. Drawings aside, it is a very moving poem about someone who is a big part of us.

Do read on;

That’s Poetry

Your sinews when you stretch,

the leap, effortless, sleek

black satin, shiny, chic.

Your sound, merely a squeak,

you turn the other cheek.

All muscle your physique

a cat, you don’t do meek.

I admire your technique,

with claws your mark you etch.

Your profile is Bastet,

each prey you stalk you get

a kill to you, no sweat,

to songbirds you’re a threat.

You’re someone else’s pet,

yet me you don’t forget

though vanish at sunset.

You’re black as a Plantagenet

I long your grace to sketch.

Wasn’t that a stunning piece?! And so personal and moving. Thank you so much, Trisha. A terrific way to show what poetry means to someone.

And I know You could also do a wonderful interpretation of what this enigmatic medium means to you, PL’s. I look forward to those postcards….

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

That’s Poetry…

Hello Poetry Lovers

Recently there was a mini-competition on Instagram on the theme of “That’s Poetry”. Now, I see poetry in many things as I’m sure you do. It goes beyond the written word and structure and rhymes and that stressed thing, It can also be a very visual medium.

However, the competition organisers did not think so as I didn’t come anywhere. Although in fairness, another competitor could have simply put this over better than me. Anyway, this is my interpretation;

That’s Poetry

Anticipation on Christmas Eve

A child’s face lights up

Mother’s affection

A stranger’s Random kindness

Consideration

A cat’s purr

A hot meal cooked with love

Favourite song on the radio

Someone smiles

Weak sunlight after a lonely winter

Closing the door on a long day

Someone pleased to see you

A good cup of coffee

Water after a long thirst

Surely that’s poetry?

Heather Moulson 2022

Now, PL’s, I’m sure you can send me a lovely interpretation of what poetry is. Answers on a postcard please……..

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

Hello October

Hello Poetry Lovers

October already! And despite the mildness, we seem thrust into Autumn. Summer put on its hat and coat, without so much of a bye or leave.

And here we are, treading on conkers and watching shorter days. It used to be my favourite month, but nothing really good happens to me in it.

Anyway, I penned this piece with past Octobers in mind. There’s no real structure to it but I hope you enjoy reading it ;

Hello October, it’s me again

Turning up like an old friend

You’ve seen me as ;

A timid child

Spotty teenager

Lovesick gal

Newly wed

Heavily pregnant

Harassed Mum

School runner

And a far older woman than I ever intended to be.

You’ve seen me be;

Tired

Grumpy

Disgruntled

Dismantled

Disenchanted

Incomplete

Disjoined

Disorientated

Miserable

You’ve seen me in

Plimsolls

Miniskirts

Hot pants

Platform boots

Stilettos

Flares

Smocks

Maxis

Only one thing has been consistent between us – I’m always in a coat

Heather Moulson 2022

Now, I’m sure some of you Poetry Lovers will have a very good poem about this particular month. Send them on a postcard and I will put them up in lights on here…

Thank you so much for reading, PL’s. We’ll be back real soon……

A Tribute to Buttons

Hello Poetry Lovers

Now I don’t mean that well-meaning, if irritating, character who loved Cinderella, I mean Buttons, the ones on our coats and cardigans. Or not, as the wonderful poet Trisha Broomfield points out in this superb and beautifully written piece.

So many memories in this poem, especially with the button tin. Who doesn’t remember playing with a battered button tin at some point in their childhood?! Mum’s had a white dog on it, I recall.

Anyway read on;

To Buttons Everywhere

Once cardigans had buttons,

though buttoning was a chore,

it saved pulling ourselves together

all the time, which was a bore.

Buttons are a blessing

when out in breezy weather

buttoning from top to toe

keeps us all together.

Hanging onto garments

doesn’t look too clever

we need those pearly buttons

to keep ourselves together.

Sadly I think buttons

have probably had their day

and a life without the button

seems to be the way.

My gran once owned a button tin,

which now gives me great pleasure,

a feast of buttons different sizes,

to keep me all together.

Wasn’t that such a lovely piece and observation on our changing times?! I have to agree, there’s something loveless about having a garment with no buttons. The comfort has gone from it.

Thank you so much, Trisha, please keep them coming. A very detailed and personal piece.

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

The Network Theatre

Hello Poetry Lovers

Yes, I have been getting around lately, and I want to tell you about last Sunday at the Network Theatre.

An amazing theatre, established for 80 years, under the railway arches of Waterloo and us poets were thrilled to discover this great venue. With thanks to Alain English and Jason Why who gave us the Golden Key.

At first we were apprehensive, walking down this dark tunnel, a scene not dissimilar to Clockwork Orange and a Rupert Bear adventure. But there was definitely a light at the end of this particular tunnel.

A lovely building and a real sense of community. As you can see, I settled down quickly in the dressing room. A place I had not frequented for some years, and this time there was no Leichner nor ashtray! However, there was still the roar of the crowd, and we waited our turn with trepidation as the lovely Alain announced each poet.

This is me reading, with the wonderful Lee Campbell backstage. How unnerved I was to read on a proper stage! Exhilarated too.

The interval came, and I had the chance to catch up with Lee and his lovely pals outside.

So I was honoured to share a bill with such fantastic poets such as Hannah Stanislaus, Raymond, Office Girls, Lee Campbell, Jason Why, David Lee Morgan, Frank Mariani, Bryan Baker, Frankie Calvert and Keith Bray, Steve Tasane, Anthony Fairweather and Redeeming Features. And of course, Alain English.

Now, I don’t want to sound like someone off The Apprentice but thank you for the opportunity. This is a great theatre, I recommend we all go regularly.

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s, and sharing this great adventure with me. We’ll be back real soon with more poetry goings ons……