Poetry in three – take two!

Tags

creative writing, creativity, generosity, kindness, poem, poetry, poetry to order

Last Friday, while on a half-term break from the weekly writing workshop I lead, I followed through on a personal promise to warm up my three-minute poetry writing skills for real, in preparation for several upcoming events.

It was a truly magical morning, during which I went to the cafe in Exeter Library, and asked if I could write three minute poems for their customers while I drank my coffee. These people would give me a subject of their choosing, I would write the poem in three minutes, and then, if they liked the poem, I would invite them to make a donation to the cafe’s fund, which pays for a coffee for those who can’t afford one. In just half an hour I’d approached five tables, written three poems, and had £15 pounds to donate, as each person who’d received a poem had given me £5, and enough tears/smiles/appreciation to fill my heart to bursting.

I could have continued but I didn’t wanted to push my luck, or break the spell, or get  greedy. I’m sure I will become more accustomed, but it really is a very powerful and connecting experience. When a total stranger reads and receives my words, and responds with tearful eyes, material generosity and an emotional exclamation that I’ve truly captured something of their own thoughts and feelings, that is just…well it’s pure energetic alchemical gold. It’s also the closest I come to the experience of knowing that I receive all that on behalf of something much larger than individual little old me. During those three minutes something is gifting me, and I am accepting my role as the one allowing that gift to be passed on by making it manifest. That is an honour.

“That’s amazing!” said the cafe manager as I gave her the £15  “you should come again!” Indeed I intend to. You can read the poems in the photos. Remember these were written in just three minutes so no, they’re not brilliant, they’re far from perfect, but they spoke to the people they were written for…and that’s all that matters.

 

 

 

 

I’m very much looking forward to writing in collaborative circles again, both tomorrow and Friday, feeling creatively re-inspired and deeply re-affirmed in my belief in the potential power of poetry, and in general spontaneous writing in from a place of heart, humility and courage.

May you too know the experience of being blessed by the act of blessing another, until there is no distinction between the gifter and the gifted.

Poetry in Three!

Tags

creativity, poems, poetry, poetry to order, writing

Here’s me writing poetry to order at a Christmas Fair last year

I’ve been rediscovering my love for writing poetry for others on the spot in 3 minutes, to warm up for some Christmas ‘gigs’! Here’s one I wrote last week, for a guy who runs a local cafe. He asked for a poem on the topic of ‘Growing Teenage Girl’. Poetry has power people (but you know that…) – the conversation we had after that! And when I left, 2 hours or so later, he said I’d made his day…and it only took 3 minutes  Make someone’s day in your way today…it needn’t take long! So here it is, cheesy and raw, yes, but hey – it’s unedited and straight off the page…3 mins!

 

I know you’re growing

But I try not to see it

It was easier

When I could hold all of you

Your joys, fears

Lift you out of danger

Kiss sweet dreams

Into your forehead

Before you slept

But you’re growing

And some of those branches

Are out of my reach

Nobody teaches

Us to be parents

We have to learn

And grow too

But much as I stretch

I can’t always reach

The tips of you

So I feed the soil

With my love and trust

That if I take care

Of your roots

Keep you safe

As much as I can

Keep the fridge full

Of more than ready made crap

If you’ll eat it

And keep out home

A place filled with space and light

You’ll grow

Thrive

Be happy

 

 

And here’s another, written at a reunion with college friends. Some of it, well, you probably had to be there…written in three minutes, in a busy bar, on the sign that had reserved our table…

30 second stories

Can’t capture the lives

That have come together,

People who’ve not changed

In 21 years

And tears haven’t started yet

But the laughter’s there

And we fall

As a Renault crashes the party

We’re just getting started

But the leaving will come

Eventually too

No house to return to

Together for a party

In Postman Pat land

The fizz is flowing

Because we’re grown up now

But it’s the little ones

That give many of us

Life’s meaning

While others are dreaming

Of a life beyond the 9-5

And so the photos will capture

Moments and smiles

Until the next time

We reminisce and remember

This is what life’s about

Laughs that don’t change

And the chance to be

18 again

 

Want to try? I have an egg timer I can lend you… 😉

Family

Tags

family, love, marriage, poem, poetry, poetry on demand, poetry to order, wedding, wedding fair

I had a lot of fun writing some more ‘poetry on demand’ at another local wedding event this morning, and would like to share one here – written, as usual, in just three minutes – on the requested subject of Family. They gave me more background that just that one word theme of course, but I’ll let the poem speak for itself. Enjoy 🙂

A family as big in heart
as in number
where love runs
thicker than blood
and all are welcome
whatever the connection
but it’s getting harder
to stay in touch
more movement now
more spread out
but we do our best
to keep that glue
of love and connection
strong and true
and though it’s not
all joy and bliss
I wouldn’t trade a thing
for this
solid rock of family
foundations of a life
rooted in, but going beyond
that bond of man and wife

For more information Wedding Poetry information, check out:

https://wordsthatserve.wordpress.com/wedding-poetry/

 

 

Mist, sacred, fire

Tags

challenge, creativity, fun, poem, poetry, poetry to order, prompt, writing

 

image credit:http://www.scenesofmilford.com/walnut-beach/

Below is a poem I wrote in three minutes (I haven’t edited!) in response to the three word prompt in the title of this post. I’ve written five three minute poems to warm up for a more public offering this Saturday, but I’d love more practice! If you’d like me to write you one, want to read the others, or just for more background to this challenge, please check out my previous post.

https://wordsthatserve.wordpress.com/2016/11/27/poetic-practice/

The fire in the belly
of mother earth
rises water ways into
a mist that fills the air
and cloaks the dawn
to meet the sacred sunrise
for each day birthed
anew is welcomed
with equal beauty, splendor
the moon bows out
to the sun
the birds sing
the new day in
and old and new
rise again refreshed
by the turn, turn, turn
that keeps life moving
always moving
and the elements
rising, falling, rising, falling
as one who remembers
walks on the beach
away from walls and noise
and feels for herself
the sacred start
of a new day