Everyday Poetry

Day 29: ' write a poem that takes its inspiration from the life of a musician, poet, or other artist.'   I've chosen to write about Maya Angelou, whose poems and sexy vocal growl I find really mesmerising. She truly was a phenomenon - known primarily as a poet, writer and activist, she was also an educator, actress, singer and dancer. During her lifetime she was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Clinton, the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama, and over 50 honorary degrees.  All this despite a deprived background where she was the victim of child abuse.  Phenomenal Woman            "A wise woman wishes to be no- one's enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone's                   victim." Maya Angelou . Her voice rises  an unstoppable force from the depths of her subterranean growl to the soaring flight of the freed bird, teaching us all to walk with diamonds...

Day 28: " Music features heavily in human rituals and celebrations. We play music at parties; we play it in parades, and at weddings. In her poem,  OBIT [Music] , Victoria Chang describes the role that music played in her mother’s funeral. Today, we challenge you to write a poem that involves music at a ceremony or event of some kind." Falmouth Funeral Blues Don't ask me what hymns were chosen, What I sang, in my triple forked grief.   All I remember is the rawness of silent tears Shed at the hollow words I could not believe When they spoke of the better place; Her loss of the years she should have lived; T he new hole at the heart of our family. Those hymns with their empty promises  were endured. Comfort came f rom the love, and the sorrow, Reverberating round the packed church, Every pew full, with more standing round the edges, Bearing witness to the woman I knew only as Mum. © Copyright 2025. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved

Day 27: " W.H. Auden’s “ Musée des Beaux Arts ” takes its inspiration from a very particular painting: Breughel’s “ Landscape with the Fall of Icarus .” Today we’d like to challenge you to write your own poem that describes a detail in a  painting, and that begins, like Auden’s poem, with a grand, declarative statement." I'm sitting in my conservatory looking not at a painting but at a mosaic of a dog made from broken crockery:  Cleo Mussi, A-Z Handbook, Pp is for Pat a Pet.  I've had it since my Aunty Gladys passed away and left me a little money, and it always brings a smile to my face.   The hand that feeds She knew what she was doing Gathering discarded plates and bowls,  Selecting their colour and pattern Smashing them into sharp shards,  Long and pointy like the dog's bared teeth As it nears the hand that feeds it treats.  Yes the dog is bug-eyed, his nails extend Wide from all four paws, but he's rendered In pale creams, soft browns and gre...

Day 26: 'try your hand at a sonnet' - great,  this is a form I rather enjoy trying to update.   I've been becoming aware over the last couple of years that more and more wrinkles are taking up residence on my face, a fact remarked upon by my 8 year old grandson recently!  Laughter lines My grandson described me, just last weekend, As warm and round, and with lots of wrinkles, A fond description not meant to offend As there's no denying all the crinkles.  For years I accepted each compliment About my skin: so smooth and so unlined; 'I guess I'm just lucky' I would consent, Or insist they were being far too kind. But age has caught up with me, now its grip Is showing plain in lines upon my face,  I feel so lucky, instead of hardship Laughter has given every one its place. I wear all my wrinkles with carefree pride,  My feelings about 'round' best kept inside!  © Copyright 2025. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved

Day 25: ' write a poem that recounts an experience of your own in hearing live music, and tells how it moves you.' I'm getting a bit tired of all the music based prompts,  but I will persevere. This one is about a live concert we went to in a field near Peel on the Isle of Man, as part of the TT centenary celebrations in 2007. Unbelievably the warm up act were The Stranglers! Madness, 2007 The first note on the saxophone And the crowd are jerking to the beat of ska, Arms pumping, feet rooted to the grass, Sweating under the rain soaked marquee, Grinning at the oh-so-familiar notes,  Singing along, drowning out the band.  Our hero, pork pie hat, loud-checked suit, Belts out "Morning miss; Can I help you son?" And the crowd responds, following the 4/4 beat, Thirty years disappearing in an instant, Middle-aged teenagers, lost in its rhythm, In love with the sound, in love with life. © Copyright 2025. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved.

Day 24: " In her poem,  Duet , Lisa Russ Spaar tells the story of two sisters making music together, based on two pre-existing songs by different artists. Today, we challenge you to write a poem that involves people making music together, and that references – with a lyric or line – a song or poem that is important to you." For a while now I've been wanting to write about bringing Jenny, my first baby, home from hospital. It seemed interesting to try using lyrics from songs from the Top 20 that week as a way of expressing how my mum and I were feeling.  Wonderful Christmastime No crib, no manger, just a bottom drawer, Hastily emptied when the shop phoned With an apology for the missing order. She sleeps, unaware of her humble bed, Tucked round tight in white, Her blanket crocheted by her nan, Who can't stop smiling As she sings along with Paul McCartney:         'Simply having a wonderful Christmas time ' My exhausted smile at the makeshift cot  S...