Cherita (pronounced CHAIR-rita) is a linked poetry form. It consists of a one-line stanza, followed by a two-line stanza, and then finishing with a three-line stanza. It can either be written solo or by up to three partners. Cherita is the Malay word for 'story' or 'tale.' The cherita aims to convey a story. It was created by ai li (A UK poet and artist) on June 22, 1997 in memory of her grandparents, who were renowned storytellers.  The cherita arose out of the English-language haiku and tanka tradition, but is more  narrative, in nature than are the 'momentary' haiku and the more lyrical tanka,  It uses images and depends on concise word use and suggestion for its effect. It can be written solo or with up to three partners each be being responsible for a stanza. A Cherita poem does not require a title, something that adds to its unique qualities.  The three separate stanzas are in effect 6 lines: a single line, a couplet, then a tercet. The line lengths a...

Last week I shared the poetry of the mysterious Brian Bilston, who has been called 'The Poet Laureate of Twitter.'  This week I have the pleasure of highlighting another Brian Bilston poem, 'Refugee.' The poem is contained in Brian's first book of poetry, 'You Took The Last Bus Home.' This very powerful poem is a technically brilliant example of a Reverso poem. A Reverso poem is a passage which can be read from top to bottom or bottom to top.  The poem will often express opposite opinions depending on which way you read it so it can really make you think.  A Reverso poem is like a picture turned upside down, a frowning face upended to reveal a smiling one. The poem read in reverse, contradicts itself with an opposing message. In 'Refugee' Brian Bilston focuses on a societal issue that tends to polarize feelings and the opposing views are clearly in evidence when the poem is read in both directions. Firstly, you are invited to read the poem ...

Brian Bilston has been frequently described as the 'Poet Laureate of Twitter.' He remains  a poet clouded in  mystery. He possesses a Banksy type persona. Very little is known about him other than the fragments of information revealed on social media and through his poetic offerings.  In 2014 he became the first person to retain the title of Pipe Smoker of the Year [Poetry section] and, over the years, he has won numerous awards  He won the 2015 Great British Write Off poetry prize for a poem disguised in a Venn diagram. His first collection of poetry 'You Caught the Last Bus Home'  has now been published. Bilston has been described as wordsmith who takes great pride in his use of language, making words dance before the reader's eyes. He is bringing poetry to the masses through social media employing topical, witty, thoughtful and very accessible poetry. Perhaps the most famous of his poems is the powerful message contained in  'Refugee.' I have j...

I have gained so much wicked delight creating an imaginary beast to be feared and loathed -and then writing a poem where this  creature became a central character in the telling.  This is why I refer to the ' making' of poetry. Words and ideas are rehearsed and rolled around in the writer's mind before they emerge. You want them to fit the mood of the poem. You want the best words you can imagine to land on the page. A lot of inward chuckling accompanied my writing of this poem.  I was also enjoying myself. Talk about conflicted.  I feel this is my Frankenstein moment. This is my cautionary tale. Hope you like it.  And, if you don't eat your greens- be afraid, be very afraid! Slugger-Mugger The Slugger-Mugger’s coming Slugger-Mugger Slugger-Mugger The Slugger- Mugger’s coming Sliding in on slime The Slugger- Mugger’s coming The conditions are just right The moon is hidden by the clouds There’s very little light The Sl...