Heather Moulson

Halloween

Hello Poetry Lovers

I know this is a bit late in the day, but I thought I’d do a one minute poem for Halloween and share with you what I really think of it all.

Let me remind of you of the rules for a one minute piece; 60 syllables, three stanzas with the first line taking 8 syllables, it goes AABB.

Read on;

Halloween

Halloween is such a crashing bore

So shut that door

This trick or treat

Is such dead meat

I would chuck it all in the fire

It is so dire

Ghouls don’t exist

Don’t take the piss

Gather up that stupid black cloak

Do not provoke

Too many sweets

Are not a treat

H Moulson 2021

Phew! Feel better after that.

Thanks for listening, PL’s.

We’ll be back real soon….

Eye Rhymes

Hello Poetry Lovers

I’ve come across another interesting poetry form this week – Eye Rhymes.

Clever poet Tony Josolyne, a popular regular at Poetry Performance, has come up with some corkers!

Forgive me, Tony but I don’t possess a photo of you, so I’ve drawn a picture. An artist’s impression, I hope that’s okay – it’ll probably go for a fortune at Sotheby’s in the near future. Or turn up at the Tate, you never know!

Anyway, thank you so much, Tony for letting me share these to the world;

Eye Rhymes

Conjuring at the age of eight

His youthful hands were sleight.

Modern women who can sew

Are now becoming very few.

I fear this to be an omen

For the skills of future women.

Your savings will soon grow

From the sums that we endow.

Aren’t these wonderful? So simple and yet not. You’ve probably surmised for yourself but they have to be words spelt the same but would not rhyme such as slaughter and laughter.

Great fun but not as easy as you think. I’ve had a feeble attempt, read on;

Eye Rhymes

I walked the lonely road to Slough

I couldn’t get there fast enough!

I watched as she put on the crown

Wishing I could have one of my own.

I told my child until he was grown

That in the river you could drown.

I’m really not messing about when I say feeble, PL’s, but I enjoyed having a go. Would you like to have a go, if so, do send them in. Great poetry form. Thanks once again, Tony

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

Celine’s Salon Launch

Hello PL’s

I had the best time last night at Celine’s Salon Anthology Launch So proud to be a part of this wonderful collection

Held at El Camion/The Pink Chihuahua in Brewer Street in the heart of Soho, we went down to this groovy basement. I really felt a big part of old Soho, with its alcoves and cubby holes. The sensation of being in a secret underground full of exciting things.

The biggest joy was seeing my wonderful pals read and perform

Amongst others, talented and prolific poet, Barney Ashton Bullock read from his magical book ‘Bucolicism’ and the Lucy’s (Lyrical and Gaster) were in great form as they played together once again. So lovely to re-embrace these people after the cold hand of lockdown.

My readings and voice still need work but this lovely happening has set me on the right road…

Thanks for tuning in, Poetry Lovers. Keep your hand on that dial for more poetry antics real soon….

Dobby’s One Minute Poem

Hello Poetry Lovers

Today our feline poet is presenting her one minute poem.

I’ll remind you of the rules ; 60 syllables, 3 stanzas, the first line is 8 syllables the next three lines are 4. Rhyming is AABB

Well, read on…….

I must have a sardine to eat

There at my feet

I want it now

I don’t care how

I demand to have some more fish

There on a dish

One nice and fat

for this black cat!

Now it’s time for my bowl of milk

It tastes like silk

which I will lick

until I’m sick

Wasn’t that fun?! Now, I’d better keep an eye on the cupboard as there’s tuna in there! Any one minute poems are most welcome, do try one

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

The Cherita

Hello Poetry Lovers

Now, here’s an interesting form of poetry. I discovered this on an Instagram thread by the inventive Soul Craft Poetry.

The Cherita, a Malay word for telling a story, or tale, consists of six stanzas; one single line, two lines then three.

There are two examples below, the first is extraordinarily unsubtle, penned by a ruthless poet, followed by a tender and gentle one by the lovely Trisha Broomfield.

Read on;

Soul Crafting

Don’t you tell me that!

I can read you like a book, and see your soul crafting through you.

Do you think I was born yesterday? Come and finish ironing your shirts! Your ties and shoes are in a sorry state too!

And now…..

Cherita

I stretch my hand towards the fire

it is my only source of light

my soul crafts out for you tonight

I hear the creaking of the gate

an owl calls out, the hour is late

an answer swiftly from its mate.

08/10/2021Trisha Broomfield

Wasn’t that last one lovely?! Thank you so much, Trisha for rising to that challenge and sharing such a beautiful piece.

The Cherita is a fun form, do try it at home. I’d welcome any submissions.

Thank you for tuning in, PL’s. Back with more poetry japes real soon….

A Fag Villanelle

Hello Poetry Lovers

I thought we’d start the week with a bit of fun. Now I don’t know what possessed me, but I wrote a villanelle about cigarettes. Almost a taboo subject now but so irresistible.

I usually find villanelles very hard but this one took me 10 minutes to write while I was having my morning coffee, so it just goes to show you.

Anyway, it’s just a bit of a laugh so do read on;

Fags Villanelle

Please give me back my fags

You’re a scrubber and a thief

Rifling through our handbags

You really should be wearing tags

Or turning over a new leaf

And please give me back my fags

From the sweet shop you nick mags

From Tesco, joints of beef

You’re just like the other slags

So please go and nick more swag

To be honest, it will be a relief

When you give me back my fags

Remember it was Rothmans fags

Don’t hide behind that sheath

And get some more carrier bags

You didn’t do it? Good grief!

It was your boyfriend Keith

But you were still behind the blags

So please give me back my fags

H Moulson 2021

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. Any villanelles, or other forms of poetry, do send in. Have a good week

The Paradelle Challenge

Hello Poetry Lovers

To my delight, the lovely poet Trisha Broomfield has accepted my paradelle challenge and has come up with a corker.

To be honest, I think it’s better than its source of inspiration. A lovely poignant and clever piece, thank you so much Trisha. Truly talented. Do read on;

Paradelle

You’ve left me and I’m all alone

Your cheating heart now turned to stone

You’ve left me and I’m turned to stone

Your cheating heart now all alone

My life moves on while you hang back

It emphasises all you lack

My life emphasises all you lack

It moves on while you hang back

I hope you will find contentment soon

Your emotions tugged by the full moon

I hope your emotions will find contentment soon,

You, tugged by the full moon.

You’ve left me; I’m tugged by the full moon

and my life moves on, while you hang back

your cheating , heart, it emphasises all you lack

now you, all alone, turned to stone

I hope your emotions will find

contentment soon.

09/09/2021Trisha Broomfield

Wasn’t that a beautiful piece of writing?! Really well done, Trisha. Please keep them coming.

A paradelle, PL’s, is a very hard poetry form and I’m still at the coalface with mine. If you think you can take on a paradelle, please send it in…

Thank you for visiting, Poetry Lovers, tune in same time, same channel……

The Paradelle

Hello Poetry Lovers

Discovering American poet Billy Collins, in a second-hand poetry book sale, I was drawn in by his honest style. Not to mention the paradelle form that he used for the following poem.

Has anyone tried this?! What a swine to do! Basically, there are 4 stanzas with the last two lines having to use their above words precisely, then the fourth stanza has to use all the words of the poem.

Confused? – you will be. Read on…

Paradelle for Susan

I remember the quick, nervous bird of your love.

Always perched on the thinnest, highest branch.

Thinnest love, remember the quick branch.

Always nervous, I perched on your highest bird the.

It is time for me to cross the mountain.

And find another shore to darken with my pain.

Another pain for me to darken the mountain.

And find the time, cross my shore, to with it is to.

The weather warm, the handwriting familiar.

Your letter flies from my hand into the waters below.

The familiar waters below my warm hand.

Into handwriting your weather flies you letter the from the.

I always cross the highest letter, the thinnest bird.

Below the waters of my warm familiar pain,

Another hand to remember your handwriting.

The weather perched for me on the shore.

Quick, your nervous branch flew from love.

Darken the mountain, time and find was my into it was

with to to.

Billy Collins

Wonderful, but difficult, although I know a certain talented poet has come up with (a frankly better) one. I’m still at the coalface, and I don’t like to admit defeat.

Okay, PL’s, I challenge you to come up with one of these. In fact, I demand it.

Thanks for visiting, Poetry Lovers Stay tuned, same time, same channel

All Seasons

Hello Poetry Lovers

Well, the weather may be balmy but I’m certainly turning out my drawers and sorting out my winter clothes. Isn’t it lovely when seasons turn?

September to many of us is like a new start. That’s why I was inspired by Sharron Green’s beautiful poem below. It says so much about the nature that surrounds us and how we should appreciate it.

Thank you for this, Sharron, a real corker Do read on;

A Taste for all Seasons

Spring sends us all a-spin with a fresh spurt.
From slumberland, new life aspires to grow.
Slim saplings through the frost with danger flirt,
and tulips pop up trumpeting ‘Hello!’

Summer’s slick swallows swiftly swoop and soar.
Seeds sown, now grown, sway softly in the breeze.
Butterflies bid blue buddleia ‘Bonjour!’
Chic sunflowers seize kisses from the bees.

Autumn blazes forth to wild ovations.
Its incandescent energy ignites.
Each leaf’s decease draws soulful incantations.
Flamboyant flair incites a raw delight.

Winter cloaks the sky in clotted clouds.
It’s crystals form a fragile filigree.
The Earth is enveloped in icy shrouds.
While nature rests, this perfect pause is key.

If you want every day to be win win
Be fully in the season you are in.

@rhymes_n_roses 2021

Wasn’t that such a beautiful piece? Such detail that defined the seasons we live through Thank you, Sharron, and keep them coming ….

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

Milestones a Cotswold Home

Hello Poetry Lovers

before I set sail on holiday, I really wanted to post this touching poem from clever poet, Trisha Broomfield

A strong and poignant recollection of a childhood home. I remember longing to live in the country, and after reading this, I realise I still do.

I also had the pleasure of Trisha face to face last week at the Roger McGough Finalists Competition. Hence the lovely selfie above. What a day that was….

Read on;

Milestones a Cotswold Home

Four cottages knocked into one

the ghost inhabited number two