The Sealey Challenge

Hello PL’s

I’d love to talk more about The Sealey Challenge that Dobby and I took on in August, where we read 31 pamphlets, one for each day of the month (I’m sure you worked that one out for yourself!)

August is a dull and grim month for me normally, full of nothing. At least I don’t have the children off school anymore as they’re grown up now, but it can still stretch ahead. However, that wasn’t the case for August 2021.

Anyway, these are some of the wonderful books me and Dobby took on. If I’ve left out anyone’s, forgive me.

Also there were so many more I would have liked to have covered, but time amazingly, ran out. I tried to focus on women the most but I slipped a few male poets in;

I’m so glad I featured works that were very special to me;

It was an absorbing journey, PL’s. I recommend you get onboard in 2022….

Thanks for tuning in and sharing my journey, Poetry Lovers. We’ll be back real soon…..

Dorothy Parker

Hello Poetry Lovers

Well, Dobby and I had a wonderful August doing the Sealey Challenge. Reading one poetry pamphlet or collection a day for the whole month. More exacting than it first appears, but we learnt an awful lot from it.

I think Dobby’s learning curve was to stay under the bed next August, but I was enlightened to new and wonderful poetry.

Dorothy Parker’s collection, I recall I purchased at the National Theatre bookshop in the summer of ‘85. When I really grew as a person, and learnt about so many new and exciting cultural things.

I’d always adored Dorothy Parker and her witty style. When I devoured her short stories, there were tears of laughter and something else so much darker. However, I didn’t look at her poetry until 31st August 2021, so it’s a mere gap of 36 years but better late than never.

Here’s one of her many wonderful poems, I do recommend a look at her work;

The False Friends

They laid their hands upon my head.

They stroked my cheek and brow;

And time could heal a hurt, they said,

And time could dim a vow.

And they were pitiful and mild

who whispered to me then,

“The heart that breaks in April, child,

Will mend in May again.”

Oh, many a mended heart they knew.

So old they were, and wise.

And little did they have to do

To come to me with lies!

Who flings me silly talk of May

Shall meet a bitter soul;

For June was nearly spent away

Before my heart was whole.

Wasn’t that so beautiful? And I’m about to enjoy more of them. Funny how a book yellowing in your bookshelf suddenly comes back into life.

Thanks for reading, PL’s and stay tuned for more poetry shenanigans.

More Beauty Spots….

Hello Poetry Lovers

Welcome back to the Beauty Spot. Wonderful and clever poet Trisha Broomfield has risen to my challenge and presented us with a beautiful piece titled Make Up.

This is so so poignant, and has such a strong subtext. Thank you so much, Trisha.

Do read on

Make Up

Mum faced the world wearing her face

A confidence painted on, red lipstick the

Key, wearing a touch brittle at times.

Eye shadow blue, spit on mascara curled on

Underneath was her wobbly self

Putting on a show, hoping it would reach inside.

24/08/2021Trisha Broomfield

Wasn’t that just wonderful?! Keep them coming, Trisha and other PL’s.

Tune in real soon for more poetry antics…..

Beauty Spot

Hello Poetry Lovers

Welcome to our beauty spot section.

Adoring any form of cosmetic, I’ve tried to sum up a life-long hankering for something intangible. And I don’t think I’m the only one by any means.

The word beauty promises something so elusive, anyway do read on…..

Made Up 

Mum went out the house with a 

smudge of lipstick and face powder

Sister would do some self-mutilating 

eye-liner, and spit on cake mascara

I longed for false eyelashes and baby

pink blusher 

But toner took off half my skin

loose powder granules swum in my handbag

Mascara on my pillow

traces of red lipstick on a tea cup

Tan soaked tissues on the dressing

table – all slovenly attempts at beauty 

Foundation only good for covering 

love bites – and tears.

I wasn’t going to find my other face.

One that other’s put on so easily.

Glamour would never be my friend 

destined to stand in the beauty playground 

all alone 

  • Until I discovered bronzer!        

H Moulson 2020

I hoped you like this piece, PL’s. We’ll be back real soon for more poetry shenanigans.

More Nursery Rhymes with Dobby….

Hello Poetry Lovers

Jetting off for a couple of days so I’ve left this site in Dobby’s capable paws. She has come up with more nursery rhyme variations. Do read on, and I’ll see you soon

Diddle Diddle Dumpling

my black cat

went to bed on my best mat.

One claw off and one claw on.

Diddle Diddle Dumpling

my black cat.

Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake

Fishmonger man.

Get me a sardine as

fast as you can.

Pat it and prick it

and mark it with D.

Put it in the oven for only Me.

Weren’t they great?! Excellent work, Dobby. I’m actually getting the cold shoulder because she’s seen my suitcase but hopefully I’ll get round her soon and then we’ll be back with more poetry fun and games real soon…..

Seguidilla part two

Hello Poetry Lovers

I am very pleased to return to our Seguidilla section, part two.

Lovely and talented poet Trisha Broomfield took up my challenge of a seguidilla and it’s a strong and wistful piece. Certainly one that will strike a chord. So thank you, Trisha, beautiful piece.

Do read on ;

Seguidilla

In that swimming pool azure 

I swam alone, pure,

sheltered from the world out there

naked, not a care

streaming out my hair

only gazing at the sky

not wondering why

Now I cover up to swim

self-conscious, knowing

no going back, no return

clinging to the past

memories to last

a lifetime, thinking of you

our lives diverging.

20/05/2021Trisha Broomfield

Wasn’t that beautiful?! Thank you so much, Trisha. Please keep them coming….

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

Dobby’s Test Card

Hello Poetry Lovers

Lovely to see you again.

Today we are showing a test card (like BBC2 used to have) with Dobby’s poetry.

This is an interim while another exciting poetry concept is being rehearsed. So feast your eyes, and enjoy;

I hope you enjoyed that little collage of Dobby’s rise in the poetry world. Thanks for tuning in, PL’s.

We’ll be back with some poetry antics real soon…….

Seguidilla

Hello Poetry Lovers

Today we feature the Seguidilla, a Spanish poetic form with 7 lines. It goes in syllables of 7-5-7-5-5-7-5. I found this one hard work but had to share it with you, read on;

Seguidilla

I stir my homemade curry 

Fenugreek and seeds 

Its pungency cloaks the air

And fills all my needs 

No more takeaways

When we would go collect it 

In those salad days 

I need the memory and

Our takeaway 

 That now sells coffee 

Come and visit me

And see for yourself 

How our special world has changed

But I’m still myself

H Moulson 2021

Thanks for reading, PL’s. Now can any of our lovely poetry lovers come up with one of these? I’d love to see them. Answers on a postcard please.

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

Dream Reunion

Hello Poetry Lovers

Do you ever get those half-asleep kind of dreams? In the very small hours before morning really comes into its own? And are they about people long gone?

Suddenly, they’re there before you and you’re talking to them like you used to. In this case, it was a friend who had been gone for over 10 years. And there she was again – albeit briefly.

Bit of a maudlin piece but do read on;

Dream Reunion

Last night I saw you again –

reunited at last.

Your voice had changed.

I hadn’t heard it for so long.

We tried to recapture the intimacy of

the classroom and girl’s bog secrets.

Reading Henry Miller when your Mum was out,

a dab of powder puff before I ran

round your house to listen to Dory Previn.

What have you been up to?

Not much, I’m guessing.

Did you know Laura Ashley’s shop isn’t there anymore?

Do you remember when Biba closed?

You’re slipping away, your voice faint.

I didn’t get shortlisted, I blurt out in panic,

and the Columbo’s on Channel 5 are all repeats!

The cat’s been sick, and my husband won’t

leave the dishwasher alone!

I woke up then, and you’d gone.

The changing world and my problems were

too much for you.

H Moulson 2021

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

The Babysitter’s Lament

Hello Poetry Lovers

Well, I’m thrilled to say I’ve got a poem into the Mother’s Union London Diocesan News.

An unlikely place for my sort of work to be, but they accepted it, and it’s the equivalent of a T S Eliot award to me.

It’s a wistful sort of piece.

Do read on;

Babysitter’s Lament 

How did you get this big?

When did I become the child?

And you the adult, studying my

spreadsheets?

Should you even be up this late?

I used to read you a bedtime story.

The roles now truly reversed and

you’re reading me a different story

altogether.

Saturday nights I would come to your house,

I can still see you in your pyjamas and

Thomas the Tank slippers.

None of this will mean anything

to you now, you’re too busy chasing

paths and fulfilment.

But later on, you’ll wonder who

hugged you and put you to bed.

How much tax do I owe again? 

H Moulson 2020

I hope you liked it, PL’s. A wistful, rueful looking at things passed and how quickly it all went. I recall those tender babysitting moments so clearly, barely noticing how these children grew up, and how quickly they didn’t need you anymore. No more Saturday nights….

Dobby has just dropped a large hint there, so I’d better pay attention to her every whim.

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. Same time, same channel……