After nearly a year now of the deadly, life taking, strangling and restricting Curse Covid, I guess I’m like many people who are currently taking stock of a much changed life and world. We certainly have enough time to reflect back due to lockdown, with most places closed or giving limited service, thus much social contact and interaction is almost impossible.
For my part I have largely been concentrating on my “Poetry World and Help for Heroes Support” which has really been curtailed, with reduced ability to sell my books, cancelled and not allowed reading Gigs, promotions, meetings and networking etc, so to this end I am looking back on my quite short 7 years published and prolific writing journey, although I have seemed to have packed a lot into that time with quite a bit of success. A brief resume follows:-
Eight published books in just over 6 years, poems printed in Daily Mail, two poems and articles in Daily Mirror (June & July 2020) Five of my poems read out with multi mentions on National Radio that broadcasts internationally, regular interviews and reading of my poems on BBC Radio Sussex & Surrey, with many other local radio interviews and guest slots, plus further publications and various prizes from competitions.
I have written a monthly article with poems in them on the article theme, for The Sussex Newspaper online (thesussesnewspaperonline) for nearly six years.
I guess after that I should post my first poem in this article that’s from my 4th book “Life Scene in Verse” with the poem entitled as follows….
Poets and Scrollers
The news comes flooding into our lives
From places nationally or world wide.
Amusing, frightening or tragically sad,
Yet from it all, it’s hard to hide.
Graphic images often feature large
As the world comes to our door.
Exposing to us the very worst of man,
As the news channels try to explore
All aspects of life to fully scrutinise
Under a glaringly microscope.
Making you angry, laugh or cry
Or possibly give up all hope.
So how do we deal with a bombardment
Reeking havoc on mind and senses?
Confronting us with with manic thoughts
That causes mass upset and offences.
Some will merely just look away
Denying they have seen, or know it,
But others take it all to heart
And most likely they are a poet.
For poets tend to write on things
With strong thoughts and burning phrases,
That encapsulates and rams it home
To the indifferent who it amazes.
So having seen it put into words
These ostriches or rock and rollers,
Still prefer to avoid any sympathy
By being just news reel scrollers.
Who turn a blind eye to sad events
Until something happens to them too.
When a poet will then come forward
To comfort their tragic view.
*
That has got us started well, and I must quickly qualify my view on some “poets and observers” who as my following poem suggests, believe their opinion carries all. Oh really? Yes they do, but as my Publisher called them “jealous, small minded and afraid”, although of course you’ll have your own view or maybe couldn’t care less?
This then from my 3rd book “Reviews of Life in Verse” =
Poetic Prigs Presume
When is our poetry not poetry?
Apart from decree by a pretentious prig,
Who decides his opinion carries all
Like a judge presiding in his wig!
But away from all his dogma
There are mostly differing views,
For some like to tie up every line
Whilst others rhyme in twos.
Of course there is prose then
That forms up in no special way
And flows about a subject,
With no need at all to stay
Exactly to a point or course,
Or even with a topic theme.
Then leads you across anywhere
As if you were in a dream.
Thus as long as it is a pleasure
Poetry can be anything you choose,
From simple usual rhyming verse
To flyaway words about a muse.
That mine is very down to earth
And modern with a story telling style,
Suits me and many who like it,
Though elitist snobs may rile.
At this usurper who is new
And writes simply so you can see,
The essence of the poems
Which certainly pleases me!
*
The essence of my view on “pedantic prigs” is that they put off, and perhaps intimidate people who are nervously just starting to write, with no great expectations or illusions above enjoying writing and experimenting with often a very new experience. Such nit-picking people I find, are often impoverished in their own abilities, save being critical of others, perhaps you have met such folk too?
I mentioned earlier regarding “taking stock”, my charity Help for Heroes support, which of course like most, has seen a reduction of their funds raised of about thirty percent which is a critical, but not terminal, loss. I continue to do what I can, but opportunities to raise funds are very limited at present. Sad times all round as the “needs” remain…..
My next poem is slightly different and from my 7th book, which like all of my books, is tabled at the end. So poem “Filter” follows…
Filter
As I have to live within myself
I often contemplate my mood,
For although fairly rare with me
On some occasions I will brood.
And at those unusual times
When thoughts can be quite dark,
It’s best that I restrain myself
As any comments could be stark.
Thus I need to have a tight filter
Controlling what I say or send,
In words or communication text
So no relationships I need to mend.
For like the saying about drunks
Who will tell the brutal truth,
On thoughts they once guarded
In an attempt to stay aloof.
Because that alcohol can loosen
The most protected of views,
Which can cause grave reactions
And some friends to lose.
Now I’m not saying I do that
But I do try hard to control,
Little opinions and any feelings
Not totally happy in my soul.
So when discontent or chagrin
Come calling to seek me out,
I have to be so very wary
My deep thoughts I don’t spout.
*
I do have a slightly self-mocking, sardonic view on a somewhat contradictory poem there, but Hey, poetic licence I have……
On further taking stock I got an excellent “memory” flashed up to me by Facebook recently, of an enjoyable and amusing interview live on Eastbourne Radio DGH way back in 2016, where the terrific presenter Tracey Alexander and I had a great time, chatted, and I read out four poems. The Link seems to be confused now, but should you wish, (come on there’s not too much else to do lol) you CAN get it easily from my Facebook page “Laurie Wilkinson”. Give it a go.
Nearly time to close so last poem follows from my 6th book now…
Loneliness of the Long Distance Poet
With apologies to the famous sixties film
That has virtually the same name.
About a long distance runner instead,
But other things are near the same.
For pounding the fields and streets
And running hard can take its toll,
When all alone with your thoughts
And concentrating on your goal,
That is to beat all of the others
Probably running lonely like you,
But you must have more resolve
And determination than they do.
So actually there is a connection
Between our lonely runner and a poet,
For whilst both think hard and deep
Neither is all that keen to show it.
Because for me some poetic times
Can be quite solitary and stark,
And I’m also quite sure the runner
Feels alone if in the dark.
For it’s the same for me regarding
His public school competition,
As I must face some stuffy views
That is trotted out in repetition,
With all the criticism and asides
Such poetry snobs can decree.
But again just like that runner
Their rules are not for me.
Though loneliness presides at times
When standing to read poems out,
And whilst always well received
I still get moments of doubt,
But continue my poem reading
As I traipse a long weary road,
Towards a poetic understanding
Which for me is the only code.
*
So that is my quick “taking stock” of my Poetry World, so will leave you to your choice.
All eight of my books :–
Poetic Views of Life
More Poetic Views of Life
Reviews of Life in Verse
Life Scene in Verse
Life Presented In Verse,
Poet Reveals All (in your world).
Poet Reflects Your World
Poetic Seeds to Fruition
These all ensure my donation to the excellent charity I support, promote and donate to, that being Help for Heroes.
My first 3 books are only priced £4.99 each, with my 4th and 5th bigger books at £6.99. My new 8th and sixth & 7th books, all bigger are still £9.99. and all are for sale on Amazon, book stores or preferably from me ………….. lw1800@hotmail.co.uk Or 07967 355236
I can now also write a “Personal Poem” for you, your family, any event or your business too…….
I also have a Facebook page “The Psychy Poet Laurie Wilkinson”, and a website:- www.psychypoet.com please sign/join up absolutely free.
