Hi everyone.
It's National Poetry Day in the UK today and the theme this year is Truth. There are lots of poetry-related activities going on around the country and if you want to find out more, have a look at this link:
https://poetrysociety.org.uk/projects/national-poetry-day/
I must admit that I haven't been writing (or reading) much poetry lately but I recently got back in touch with a friend who is a very talented poet and after encouraging her to write a poem for National Poetry Day, I thought I should practise what I preach, especially as I always prefer writing when there is a theme and a deadline to work to. I was rather shocked to discover from my notebook that it is almost two years since I last wrote a poem and I must admit, I'd forgotten how hard it is.
After writing down lots of ideas (the easy bit!), then deciding that none of them were any good and tearing up the piece of paper, I was watching a TV programme about the rock star Suzi Quatro when a completely new idea suddenly came to me. As soon as the programme had finished, I went straight to my notebook, wrote the first draft in one sitting and then edited it on the computer over the next couple of days.
It may not be the greatest poem I've ever written but at least I have written one and more importantly, I've reminded myself of the process that works best for me when it comes to writing. Put the initial work in and then trust your subconscious to deliver.
Anyway, here it is.
It's National Poetry Day in the UK today and the theme this year is Truth. There are lots of poetry-related activities going on around the country and if you want to find out more, have a look at this link:
https://poetrysociety.org.uk/projects/national-poetry-day/
I must admit that I haven't been writing (or reading) much poetry lately but I recently got back in touch with a friend who is a very talented poet and after encouraging her to write a poem for National Poetry Day, I thought I should practise what I preach, especially as I always prefer writing when there is a theme and a deadline to work to. I was rather shocked to discover from my notebook that it is almost two years since I last wrote a poem and I must admit, I'd forgotten how hard it is.
After writing down lots of ideas (the easy bit!), then deciding that none of them were any good and tearing up the piece of paper, I was watching a TV programme about the rock star Suzi Quatro when a completely new idea suddenly came to me. As soon as the programme had finished, I went straight to my notebook, wrote the first draft in one sitting and then edited it on the computer over the next couple of days.
It may not be the greatest poem I've ever written but at least I have written one and more importantly, I've reminded myself of the process that works best for me when it comes to writing. Put the initial work in and then trust your subconscious to deliver.
Anyway, here it is.
If Truth Be Told
I could tell you I have a website.
I could tell you I have an email address.
I could tell you I made £600 worth of sales in my Etsy shop
last week.
I could tell you I am in a relationship.
I could tell you we have just come back from Barbados.
I could tell you we have three beautiful children who never
stop smiling.
I could tell you I have seven Porsches in the garage.
I could tell you I am a leather-clad rock star.
I could tell you I have been asked to stand for Congress.
Or I could tell you my truth.
Copyright Melissa Lawrence 2019
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| Credit: Jeanie Mackinder [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)] |
Only £600?! I particularly like the second verse - the way the idea seems to develop from relationship to full-blown perfect family in three easy steps is very powerful. Well done for getting it written too; I didn't.
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