Autumnal Offerings Autumn giveaways Golden vestments Shed  Alan j Wright

In his 1954 poem, '13 ways of Looking at a Blackbird,' Wallace Stevens wrote thirteen short verses providing different images of blackbirds.  Michelle McGrane adopted a similar stance in writing her poem 'Thirteen Ways With Figs' where she wrote 13 slightly longer stanzas.  Looking at a particular  object from different perspectives  we learn to trust the images that offer themselves up. I decided to imitate the style of these earlier poets to inform my own poetry writing. I chose as my subject the enduring image of a large oak tree that stood in the yard of our family home, when I was growing up. I have modified the format of the earlier poems slightly, choosing to use seven, three line stanzas. The lines possess a consistent brevity. Oak Tree Perspectives Shade giver,  Backrest For a young reader Autumn giveaways Golden vestments Shed  Time resistor  Gnarled weathered skin Mossy trunk Climbing frame Lookout spot For spying eyes An acorn carpet B...

New VIDEO, Read Aloud of the poem- ' Summer Comes Rushing' taken from my most recent anthology, ' What The Poemster Found.' Enjoy...

 'In our lives we need both the comforts of repetition and the delights of change and they need to be in balance. Too much repetition means a routine of dull habit, of closing out the world. Too much change and we lose our centre. The same principle applies to poems that use repetition.' Kim Addonizo and Deborah Laux, 'The Poet's Companion : A guide to the Pleasure of Writing Poetry, 1997'   Repetition can be used in a variety of ways: A word is repeated at different points. A phrase is repeated. One line is repeated throughout the poem. An entire stanza is repeated. Many times, repeated phrases or lines come at the beginning and end of stanzas or poems. The repetition of words become an echo; a familiar melody running throughout the poem. Here is a poem by English poet John Rice that uses repetition and rhyme to good effect. ON SOME OTHER PLANET On some other planet  near some other star,  there’s a music-loving alien  who has a green estate car  On some o...

This week I'm focusing on food. Well, not just this week, if the truth be known.  Food is a universal theme in our respective lives and a favourite topic for writers and poets.  I love cooking and as a consequence have written extensively about all things culinary. When we know a subject well, it tends to feature strongly in our writing frame.   For me food is a continuing theme for my poetry. Sometimes it features in reflective tones, but at other times I have an inclination to  indulge in a bit of food fun. Here are three poems concerning food related matters. A poetic snack, an appetizer for you to enjoy. I urge you, fellow poets, to serve up some foody, flavoursome words... SOMETHING SIMPLY GRUESOME Something simply gruesome  Is sitting on my plate I can't identify it It's simply far too late Something really gruesome Is pretending it’s my dinner With a shape and smell Straight from hell -It's not a dinner winner Something quite obnoxious Is waftin...

Here is my reading of the poem, 'Summer In The Hills- Monbulk Memories' from my 2016 anthology -'I Bet There's No Broccoli On The Moon' made possible by my recent visit to Monbulk, where I spent my formative years. -my fortunate years. It's Poetry Friday and this week's host is Carol from Carol's Corner, who is highlighting the concept of being 'woke.' Carols sees it as being aware your surroundings and challenging how we strengthen our relationships with the government, with community, and nature.To be woke is to fight for your civil rights, and the rights of your neighbors... To be woke is to understand that equality and justice for some is not equality and justice at all. We must stay alert. We must ask hard questions. We must stand for what is right, even when it is difficult and scary. Carol presents the poetry of three young female poets who have collaborated on a book suitably titled 'Woke.' A laudable pursuit... You can find out ...

  A Rispetto, an Italian form of poetry, is a complete poem of two rhyme quatrains. Rispetto, (Italian for respect) plural rispetti, is a Tuscan folk verse form. The Rispetto has a rhyme scheme of ABAB (first quatrain) CCDD (second quatrain) . In its earliest form the rhyme scheme was usually abab abcc. Later, the scheme abab ccdd became more prominent. However  other variations can also be found. The form reached its pinnacle of both artistic achievement and popularity in the 14th and 15th centuries, particularly in the work of Politian, who is said to have written some 200 rispetti.  Earlier this week I returned to my childhood town of Monbulk. Scouted around my old  haunts for a few hours, quietly reminiscing. Spent some time rewalking the old track through the forest beside the Sassafras Creek. As boys we caught rainbow trout, blackfish and yabbies on our regular visits. The old wooden bridge over the creek has met a sad end. There was a time when we rode our bik...

Alliteration is the repetition of the initial consonants of words.  It involves the use of the same letter or sound at the beginning of a series of closely connected words.  Alliteration does not depend on letters but on sounds, so 'Kerry came' is alliteration, even though  the words start with different letters. The word -alliteration is derived from the Latin word, 'Latira'. It means 'letters of alphabet'.     If you have had experience with tongue twisters, you've met alliteration. ' Show Shawn Sharon's shabby shoes.' is an example of alliteration. Alliteration is used by many writers and poets as it adds style to the sound of the words.  British poet, Michael Rosen believes literary elements like alliteration possess secret strings that sew the selected words together. I really enjoy using alliteration. In fact, I have to guard against over using it at times, such is its appeal to my ears. In the poem below, I have deliberately liberally ...

A form of poetry called Naani , was created by one of India’s renowned poets, Dr. N Gopi. Naani is a short form of poetry, and shares some similarities with haiku. Like the Japanese form, Naani poetry has a set line- and syllable-count.   It is a 4-line poem containing a total 20-25 syllables. Subject matter is not confined to nature or a particular subject. It is fairly wide open. The term ‘naani’ refers to an expression of one and all.  The Naani poem frequently touches upon emotions, relationships, and the human condition, depending upon human relationships and current statements for its spark. It is slightly less structured than Haiku.   I like this affirming Naani poem by Julia James. It follows the Naani guidelines with  4 lines and 24 syllables. Balancing Act Life is a tightrope Sometimes you will fall But step out in faith You are only inches off the ground  Julia James. It has inspired me to trial a Naani. My poem incorporates rhyme, but it is...

In my home state of Victoria, Australia, we have just emerged from a prolonged Covid 19 lockdown surrounding the greater Melbourne area. We are cautiously stepping back into a world of slightly relaxed settings. After experiencing times where there were in excess of 22,000 active cases, we are now registering days of zero infections. After being in lockdown for months (for me since March 17th) we Melbournians are out in the world again, be it nervously. It feels strange to encounter so many people walking about on the street (mask wearing is mandatory) and to see so many cars on the road.  There is a fog of unfamiliarity about certain routines. It is good to experience these increased freedoms, but I find myself watchful and trepidacious.   This morning I had a sit down coffee for the first time in many months!  The sun was shining. The air around me was warm. Summer is nigh in the big south land.    Beyond my pandemic ponderings, it is summer that fills my...

Mood means a lot to a poet. It influences the very words they write. Sometimes my mood is reflective and serious, Sometimes I write out of frustration and disappointment.  Today though, my mood is clearly playful as you will see in these new poems I am about to share with you. I am feeling word playful. I am particularly pleased that they have emerged at a time when the world is facing a challenge. Let me explain... Some of my writing during this time has addressed these matters, but I also believe we need a dash of fun and optimism too. It lightens the mood. It feeds the human spirit. I believe this is vitally important. There are already too many gloomsters out there. I choose not to be one of them. Simple as that. For as long as I can recall I have enjoyed playing around with words and meanings. I am constantly wanting to have fun with language. I want to reshape it and make it do my bidding as a writer. It is a trait I keenly embrace. I love it so much, I practice even when I'm...

  This week, Poetry Friday is hosted by Janice Scully  @ Salt City Verse where Janice shares some original words and offers us a taste of Thomas Carlyle to ponder. I encourage you to join a host of poets from all around the globe and visit Janice's page... Almost two years to the day, I wrote a post featuring the poem 'Refugees' by Brian Bilston. The poem was included in Brian's first book of poetry, 'You Took The Last Bus Home.' A very powerful Reverso poem and technically brilliant.  A Reverso poem can be read from top to bottom or bottom to top. It will often express opposite opinions depending on which way you read it. Such poems really make us 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 eviden...

It's Poetry Friday and if you are keen to find out more then slide across to this week's generous host Bridget Magee's blog site   http://www.weewordsforweeones.com/  . Here you'll discover exactly what a host of poets are presently exploring and sharing. Be curious- learn lots! This week I'm looking at you and me and that person over there. It's all about us! When it comes to writing poems about people, it is difficult to know where to start. To write a poem about a person requires you to closely observe your subject with a keen eye for detail.  You must also consider your feelings about them and then try to express those feeling and observations in the best possible way. Some of that detail may be about physical appearance, some stand out feature, maybe what they wear.  You will most certainly consider their personality and particular qualities the person displays- both good and not so good. When we write in this way we are trying to create an impression of th...