Thanks Christian – yes, it would be interesting to include the smell of a new book, and even that crisp sound of opening it for the first time. Like an act of worship!!!

Debbie – for me you have captured the essence of meditation – that still withdrawal with permission for thought activity to move away, leaving space for breath and calm…. Thank you for the reminder of this powerful practice!

Gosh – I think we will all relate to this in different ways. So true! I don’t have nearly the same pressures as you appear to be facing, but I too have my “brat” moments and the blankness has been so incapacitating. Your use of rhyme lightens the heavy subject and gives a gentler touch with humour. Take care of yourself somehow, even if it’s…[Read more]

The intimidation is real! I genuinely always start my new books on page two, or start from the back to get past that First Page Fear…

Thanks Shae – yes, the smell, the crispness of the pages and of course the covers that are still firm and neat!

Thank you Peggy – it’s the expectations we have of ourselves that creates the problem I think – fantasies of wonderful works…

Thanks Amelia

Very vivid – this almost reads like a pantoum, with the repetition of Elsie’s lonely condition reinforcing her confusion, her isolation, the apart-ness of her life. Sad but real. Written with compassion..

Wow – a deeply feeling/felt piece. It carefully captures that final goodbye. You create the hospital context very clearly. The word “blistered” in your first line feels a little unnecessary, and maybe even that whole first line is not quite essential? I think the poem would be more powerful starting with the hands rather than the bonds? Thank…[Read more]

I share your trepidation and anxiety..!! And yet we persist, and here we are, with a poem to show for the persistence. Your poem made me smile, thanks

Thanks – I think we all need to pause and reflect a bit sometimes! Right now, it’s about the next prompt and challenge for next week – oh my!

Thanks June – I’m happy if this has given you something to think about!!

Thanks Lauren – I enjoy thinking about things a little more deeply sometimes, and trying to see different sides of a topic/theme. Problem is, when does our poetry cross from being contemplative to just “phoney deep”? There’s no answer to that, I guess!

Absolutely!! This is a public forum and it’s great if we can share creative ideas or additional prompts with one another. Have fun, and avoid the obvious “rose coloured spectacles”….

Chilling. The use of pantoum works so well here. It feels like an accurate reflection of the reality of facing eating disorders and body image issues – when the mirror is effectively the enemy.

The fragility of your heart is conveyed well. A sad poem although the “quiet shout” makes me hope for healing of the spirit… I found the rhyming a little forced in places, especially the “still the glass….sharp shard” couplet, but I like the idea of a glass encased heart. Thank you for sharing this poem with us.

Of course now I want to know what made you throw the stones…. I’m sensing liberation and some anger?

“hover on retirement’s border” – what a good phrase – it is a hovering time – anticipation mixed with uncertainty!! Thanks for a poem that’s so real and wise. I trust you’re thriving in your own time and space…