Everyday Poetry

I had my first online tutorial recently. It was a little intimidating, as although it wasn't on Zoom (which I hate) it felt very similar. As part of the 90 minutes we had two sessions of free writing, each prompted by a quote. We were encouraged to use these ramblings to inspire new poems. The second one needs a third verse, but it's not come to me yet.   1.  " There must be a name for this moment of change" There must be a name For this moment of change  This reach for a new horizon, This stepping off a cliff Not knowing if the sea hides Sharp rocks, Or warm waves Far below.  Somewhere in the world Someone has the perfect word  Easily at their fingertips  For this excited anticipation, The anxious thrill of the plunge. 2. "Some summers it hardly seemed worth getting up in the morning" Guilt found me under a warm duvet, Calling me to trim and weed, To cut and plant, to mow and prune. I was in no mood to listen. There's no getting ahead in a garden Only t

I've been learning about repetition of various types this week,  and have to write a poem of 15-20 lines using some of the ideas.  The last poem we had to read was 'To a Young Poet' by Mahmoud Darwish, which is full of sage advice on how to write poetry.  It's stuffed full of clever repetitions, not as repetitive or as everyday as what I've come up with, mind you. But I took the idea of writing a poem giving advice to a novice and combined that with the time Phil did the monthly shop alone, when my knee was first injured. He's actually much better at shopping than this gives him credit for - poetic licence!  This is a draft - I've learnt that the course expects you to rewrite in line with comments from fellow students,  so they are not polished as much as usual.   Go to Lidl, go to Asda, You won't find everything in one place.  Go to Lidl for the basics, they're the cheapest,  Go to Asda for the rest.  You know what you need, that'll be easy, I&#

A short poem written in short lines, which started off being about my knee injury, but may have ended up with the possibility of a wider interpretation, say for example the recent American presidential election. As to whether Attention was paid To the right thing, At the right time, You tell me. As to whether Lessons will be learnt From the wrench, The twist of fate, Wait and see. Until then One step Leads us forward, The next one Drags us back.  © Copyright 2024. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved.

This one came in a rush, while listening to a podcast this morning.  It was a really helpful podcast about how to react to triggers so they don't result in a spiral of emotions.  For me that spiral can lead to comfort eating, which ultimately creates more emotional destruction than the original trigger! But I'm getting there, slowly.  The rush of blood The flood of heat The hit in the pit The quickness, the sickness The hole that needs filling The filling, the filling The feel of the feelings The shame, the blame The here I go again The pain left behind The whole thing unkind. © Copyright 2024. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved

Draft a poem in which the speaker reveals something about the other/s who exist outside the poem. See if you can include or imply what others might be voicing. Swathed in a comfy sweatshirt Easy fit joggers Well-worn slippers She's let herself go She's got herself dressed Kitted out in leggings Breathable top Supportive trainers Not so much a gym bunny as a hungry hippo  Every journey begins with the first step Dolled up in a new mesh top Leather look jeans Cute boots Dog's dinner Sexy mama Ignore those negative voices Brush off those shoulders Live as a wise woman once advised:  Wear what makes you happy. © Copyright 2024. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved

Our latest exercise is to do with Voice, using each person's idiolect to strengthen and reinforce my poetic intent. Right you are then! I don't think this is quite what they had in mind,  but I'm doing this for me.   Don't talk like that it's lazy! It's flowers, not flahs. My mum was always picking me up, Worried this street talk would not help  Attain the future she wanted for me.   Years later,   As middle class as she could have desired,  I overheard a man say he had to buy  Flares To sweeten his girlfriend.   I'm assuming it wasn't trousers. © Copyright 2024. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved