I’ve been feeling fraught lately. Too much emotion, too much worry, too much sadness about the state of our country and our future.
But last night something wonderful happened – I went to Carol Ann Duffy’s Shore to Shore poetry tour. It was held in my local church, a lovely location at the best of times (I say that despite my atheist tendencies) but on this particular occasion it had a bar serving cask ales in it (it did – honest!) and was filled poetry and music.
Poets Gillian Clarke, Imtiaz Dharker, Jackie Kay and Gillian Allnutt all performed along side the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and with musical interludes by John Sampson. I loved it all. I’m not saying I loved each and every poem equally or that each poet affected me the same way. I think poetry is a personal thing and you can find your own meanings within the words. I let some of last night just wash over me, while other parts made me smile or laugh, and still others brought tears to my eyes. Some poems really hit home. Politics did enter the building (at a time like this how could it not?) but I had a strong sense of being surrounded by like-minded people. And we sat side by side and were immersed in thought and intelligence and warmth. It was an evening of out-and-out soul enrichment.
When I got home I wrote a poem about it. I didn’t really think about it I just walked into the room, exchanged pleasantries with my husband (‘How were the kids at bedtime? Perfectly behaved? What, did the stars align this evening or something?’), grabbed a pen and paper and the words appeared on the page. I can’t remember the last time I wrote a poem like that. I can’t remember the last time I wrote a poem.
Of course I’m terrified to share it here – because it’s a first draft and it’s raw and you might think it’s rubbish. But I want to put it somewhere because, I don’t know, there’s been so much sadness recently and the poem is about how I felt last night, remembering what’s good in life. It was transmitted so clearly through those wonderful poems from those wonderful writers and, though I can’t hope to live up to their words, they’ve given me the strength to throw a few of my own out into the world.
Poetry
They fell like raindrops
drenching parched soil –
words of beauty
of truth
of kindness,
of art and wisdom and thought.They fell like blossom
coating tired streets –
words of culture
of insight
of education,
of rawness and emotion and love.They fell like sunbeams
through the treetops,
a soft wind through the grasses,
warmth beside me,
gentle hands in my hair.
Maddy, I love this poem the imagery is so simple and honest and it really hits home. From one person who feels vulnerable about their poetry to another I think (personally) that you should take the plunge more often. Xxx
Luisa recently posted…Thoughts
Thanks so Much, Luisa. I don’t know what it is about sharing poetry that makes me feel more nervous and exposed, but it does! Really appreciate your kind comment. xx
Maddy recently posted…the uplifting power of words â #ShoreToShore
It terrifies me too, I get palpitations every time I hit publish l. I think it’s because poetry is so personal, almost exposing sometimes and therefore feels risky.
Worth the risk usually though xxx
Beautiful words, thank you for sharing! I don’t consider myself much of a poet either, and yet every once in a while, the words flow in a certain way, and before I know it, a poem has formed. Be proud of your impulsive creation. It is perfect!
https://spookymrsgreen.com/2015/11/11/the-beast-inside-your-head-poem/
Catherine Green recently posted…We Did It! We Survived our First Year at School!
Thank you so much Catherine! Didn’t we ‘meet’ in a campnano cabin a few years ago? I will pop over to your blog for a read. xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-five
Yes, we probably did, I keep chatting to people just lately that I connected with ages ago. Are you doing the challenge this month? I am just over halfway through and on target to finish so I am feeling rather pleased!

Catherine Green recently posted…We Did It! We Survived our First Year at School!
Love these words of yours so much dear Maddy. Don’t be terrified, be very proud my friend xx
Oh my lovely Reneé, you have brought tears to my eyes with that comment. Thanks you so much. xxx
Maddy recently posted…the uplifting power of words â #ShoreToShore
Lovely! So glad you enjoyed it too! Warm, witty, wise ladies… As are you! Well done and keep writing x
Thanks so much Anna, and right back atcha on the warm, witty, wise front. So glad you managed to get hold of that ticket for me.
xxx
Maddy recently posted…the uplifting power of words â #ShoreToShore
Wow, what a beautiful poem, and so uplifting in these scary times. The evening sounds amazing by the way – would have loved to have gone. I think we look for the hope and the things that can soothe our souls at times like this. #Prose4T
Thank you Michelle and yes, I think that’s the best way forward at the moment. xxx
Maddy recently posted…the uplifting power of words â #ShoreToShore
That is a beautiful, evocative poem and I’m very glad I’ve read it. I’ve only ever shared a couple of poems and felt very exposed by the whole business so I do understand the emotion x
Louise recently posted…Up
Thanks for your kind words, Louise, it’s funny how poetry can make us feel so exposed. I think it’s because it comes straight from the heart. xxx
Maddy recently posted…the uplifting power of words â #ShoreToShore
This is beautiful Maddy I love that this just came to you and is the original poem. Somethings are better left untouched, this is one of them xx #prose4t
Tracey Bowden recently posted…Be Careful What You Wish For…………
What a lovely comment, Tracey, thanks so much! xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-four
First draft? Leave it as it as it is please! Amazing emotion and imagery; I love it x
Lisa from Lisa’s Life recently posted…The Prompt: Sun
Thanks Lisa – glad you like it (love it, even)! I did tinker with a few words as I was putting the verses together so maybe it’s a second draft? But I’ve don’t think I’ve ever written anything so quickly! xxx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-four
I love this poem, it sums up everything I love about poetry
It sounds like a wonderful event, I’m glad that you got so much out of it x #prose4t
Sara | mumturnedmom recently posted…Sunday Photo: 3 July 2016
It really was a wonderful evening. Booked it weeks ago so I couldn’t have known how much I’d have needed it. Thanks for your lovely comment. xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-four
Sounds like you had a lovely evening. We are all going to need more times like that to cope with the crazy world we live in.
Your poem is beautiful. Well done.
suz recently posted…Designing my picture book text.
Thanks Suz. It’s so good to know that times like that and things like poetry this exist at the moment. I feel I need them more than ever. xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-four
That’s so beutiful. I don’t know why, I think it is a perfect English poem… I don’t know if it makes sense but you have a great style!
#WhatImWriting
the frenchie mummy recently posted…Computer says ‘NO’
Thank you so much! Yes, perhaps it does have an english flavour – rain, fields… xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-four
Love the poem Maddy. That moment of connection through another person’s words is such an important experience and you express it well. I’m a big fan of Carol Ann Duffy too

Rebecca Ann Smith recently posted…Countdown to launch
Thanks Becky, yes the feeling of connection felt so important at that moment. Words have such power. xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-four
A beautiful poem! I loved poetry as a youngster but have only recently discovered it again!! Your poem makes me want to be listening to it somewhere wonderful surrounded by like minded people! Let the googling poetry nights commence! #whatimwriting
Thanks Emma! Hope you manage to find some poetry readings. Reading poetry in a book is fab but hearing poets read their work and being surrounded by other people enjoying the experience makes it really special. xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-four
A gorgeous poem highlighting the power of words without the heaviness of rhetoric. I’d heard about this tour on Women’s Hour – sounds like it was well worth a visit.
mama elsie recently posted…another place to fall
Oh it’s such a good tour! Glad you liked the poem – thank you for your lovely comment. xx
Maddy recently posted…Book review – Baby X by Rebecca Ann Smith
Beautiful poem Maddy, I really think the imagery works well. And you know, as an HSP I think that ‘gentle hands in my hair’ is one of my most favourite things. Wish I could afford to get a weekly head, neck and shoulders massage but I’ll have to do with my kids brushing (and sometimes yanking on my hair) instead! Anyway… I’m so glad you experienced this lovely evening; it sounds like it was very much needed. Take care, xx
Ah yes, the ‘gentle hands in my hair’ – who doesn’t want that both metaphorically and actually…
Thank you, I really appreciate your kind comments (here and on FB) xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-four
Lovely!
Bronwyn recently posted…Useful Tips: Uses for baking soda you might not have known
Thank you!
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-five
It’s not very often you get an insight into how the poet was thinking and feeling as they wrote the poem, so it’s brilliant to get this with yours. I think so many people are seeking some form of comfort and you’ve encapsulated it so well with your poetry evening experience in this poem. Lovely
x #whatimwriting
Thanks Hillie, That was one of the lovely things about hearing the poets read too – we got a few insights into what they were thinking at the time. xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-five
I loved it when you put your poem on FB, and I love it just the same now. How lovely to have had an experience that felt so inspiring, I certainly feel like they are in short supply for me at the moment, so I’m feeling envious. I need to look for more opportunities like that near me. I hope the words and creativity are still flowing. xxx
Alice @ The Filling Glass recently posted…Fact or fiction?
I almost didn’t want to go because I was feeling so wrung out and had to come straight from a school thing too but it really goes to show how uplifting something like that can be. Yes, look for opportunities near you! And thanks for your lovely words about my poem. xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-five
I think that the best poems are often the ones written on the spur of the moment when you have to express something that you are feeling. You have done this so well here – and it is so great to see a piece of poetry from you once again lovely lady. Well written and well done
Thank you for linking to Prose for Thought x
Verily Victoria Vocalises recently posted…Tips for Fighting Tiredness. A Poem #FightFatigue #BlueIron
Thanks Victoria – yes, writing from the heart does have a certain raw impact I think. Thanks for your kind words and for encouraging me to share it when I was nervous beforehand. xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-five
Oh so beautiful Maddy, the imagery is really striking #whatimwriting
Geraldine recently posted…A Little Night Time Reading – 5 Books for Toddlers
Thanks so much Geraldine!
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-five
Love it, and wish I was there!
Thanks Cara – you would have loved it! xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-five
Second time I’ve read this now. I love it. Absolutely beautiful and evokes so much with so few words (the dream!) x
Thank you so much Nicole, that really means a lot. xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-five
So I might be late to this post but I love this poem reading it again just as much if not more than I did the first time. It sounds like the most amazing evening! What a line-up! And with cask ales! Awesomeness xx
Sophie Lovett recently posted…Crocodile tears
Thanks Sophie, yes it really was amazing! I could do with an evening like that every week really. xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-five
You write beautiful poetry. That’s the beauty of life: When we least expect something, it beautifully flies to adorn our lives:)
Thank you Vishal – what a lovely way of putting it!
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week eighty-five