I was prompted by the unique significance of the date on Sunday 10th October 2010 to write some words – and set myself a light hearted challenge to only use words containing the word ‘ten’…here’s the result:
Tender Words
Earth Mother Tender Words
Listen, attend:
Countenance
Brightened,
Heartened,
Lightened.
Tension softened,
Sentences sweetened.
Tendrils extending,
Tenacious,
Glistening,
Stencilling
Molten intensities,
Insistent, persistent,
Smitten.
Potent portent,
Hastening
Enlightenment.
Penitent, chastened,
Quietening.
Contentment,
Tentatively tendered.
©Christine Miller
10/10/10
Christopher Reid’s Costa Book Awards winning collection of poems arrived today - ‘A Scattering’.
Costa Book Award Winning Poetry "A Scattering"
The surprise winner of the important £30,000 literary prize, and only the fourth poet to achieve the accolade, Reid joins the ranks of Ted Hughes, Douglas Dunn and Seamus Heaney. The choice was supported by ‘a substantial majority’ of the judges, according to novelist Josephine Hart, chair of the judging panel. It seems a fitting further tribute to Christopher Reid’s stunningly beautiful tribute to his wife Lucinda Gane, who died in October 2005.
Christopher Reid has described this poetry as his way of surviving Lucinda’s final illness and his widower-hood. When I read a couple of extracts their intensity and emotion, delivered in a sparely evocative fashion, brought me to tears. You can see them here: Scribd. I found ‘Late’ especially powerful.
It’s a real joy that poetry triumphed – hopefully indicative of the more general recognition which is starting to build of the power of poems to eloquently express our inner and outer worlds.
I notice there is also a poetry event taking place in London this weekend at Central Hall Westminster, in support of Haiti, organised by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and Poetry Live – details here.
http://www.poetryliveforhaiti.org/
A a rare treat for the soul for £10 and all for a good cause. See you there?
I’ve had a lot of messages from people telling me they haven’t written anything for many years, or that they dry up when they pick up a pen, or that the blank paper/screen stares back at them like a mean teacher as if to say ‘who do you think you are, writing poetry, writing prose – writing anything!’
If you’ve ever had that feeling, here are a couple of ideas for getting started. Remember that writing words can easily be about play and enjoy yourself.
Pick a topic - any topic, the first thing that comes into your mind, everything is a possibility …..simply say to yourself “I want to write about…(in the instance of writing a Valentine’s verse, then Love rather naturally springs to mind) and start. It’s the same with most things in life – just begin. Getting started is (I know it sounds ridiculously simplistic) the key. Don’t edit your thoughts or words, let them spill out – you can come back and refine them later….
Pick some random words: for example, I’ve got a piece of paper near me which says ‘Identity Card’ and the words that catch my eye on the computer screen are ‘Save Draft’…. What could I do with those?
Here goes:
My identity as occasional bard
Is sending you a Valentine’s card.
I thought of you and sweetly drafted,
So cherish and save these words I crafted.
It doesn’t have to be a rhyme, it can be anything – just get started. You could say something like:
What do I think about identity Cards? Will they really make us more secure, and save us from possible terrorists attacks, stop illegal immigrants, will they help prevent extremist cells from drafting in new, impressionable recruits?
See if this gets your creative juices flowing – look at what’s around you and start writing about it – you may be surprised how easy it can be to get into the flow!
FOR YOUR FREE GUIDE TO WRITING SHORT POEMS, LEAVE A MESSAGE HERE OR EMAIL ME ON POETRYGUIDE AT GOOGLEMAIL.COM
Sharpen up your writing tools
A Valentine's Message
Hallmark Cards are running a great competition, of which I’m really delighted to be a judge, where you can win a £500 holiday - simply by composing a 140 character Valentine’s message - your verse can be any style you like – funny,witty, romantic, serious, light-hearted….whatever best captures the thoughts and sentiments you want to express to your Valentine. You can find out more here: Hallmark
Get your entry in by January 29th for a chance to win a £500 holiday for two in a romantic cottage…..
Shortly, I’ll be posting some tips on writing poetry to help you be inspired.
