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The Poetic Influence of Mood & Moment


Poets are influenced by the times in which they live. They are influenced by mood and moment. In these challenging times of global pandemic I have noticed my writing output has noticeably increased. I am writing more, resulting from having fewer wider world distractions and a lot more time at my disposal. Months in fact...

 I have found myself returning frequently to matters surrounding lockdown life, community attitudes and political posturing. I move away from the subject, but then drift back into the concerns surrounding Covid 19 a few days later. I am not lamenting this, but rather acknowledging it as an influence on my current writing. I have been very much aware of retaining a conscious sense of optimism, openly resisting any urge to climb aboard the outrage train. Here are some short poems that have emerged in my notebook in recent weeks. I shall add them to my ever expanding Covid Chronicles. May the mood and moment find you, pen ready.


The Day To Come

I will see you my friend 

In the brighter light of a future day

Together we'll be, once more

Like the salt and the sea 

Nourished by the shared moments

Of the days to come

Till that time rolls by

Listen for the soft whispers of hopeful souls.         


Life in Lockdown

I have remained active during my lockdown life 

Each day I

Race against the clock

Run for cover

Jog my memory

Toss away my worries 

Move obstacles

Reach for the stars

Spin my yarns

Remove doubts

Strike a happy mood

Shuffle paper

-And now I've jumped to a conclusion.


A Perfect Time

We are living in a perfect time, it seems

A perfect time to reside in solitude 

A perfect time not to rush to judgement 

A perfect time to show compassion for others

A perfect time to be creative in our responses

A perfect time to listen to the wise ones

A perfect time to show we care

We are living in a perfect time to be makers, not breakers

Now is, the perfect time.

 

Faded, Not Jaded

The labels on the days are fading

Washed out, hard to read

This twenty four hours

Indistinguishable from its

Predecessor 

My calendar is missing in action

Rendering my days numberless

-but not meaningless 

For they count in other ways

Too many to enumerate.


Do Not Lose Your Song

Do not lose your song

When the sorrows of the wider world pile up at your door

Do not lose your song

Every bird in the forest contributes to the morning chorus

Do not lose your song.


Two Sides Of The Fence

How one views a fence‬

‪Is dependent upon which side‬

‪We find ourselves standing‬

‪It's the same with toilet doors‬

‪Every barrier has two sides‬

‪Our lockdown lairs keep us safe‬

‪And the virus at bay.‬

© Alan j Wright






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Comments

  1. Linda Mitchell12 September 2020 at 07:05

    It's nice to see your pen ready...and yourself ready to greet friends again. I do miss friends. And, I am weary of the distancing. I'll be fine. I won't give up. But, I long for normal. I want to be the one to lock the door and go out to eat in a restaurant with a friend. Someday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright12 September 2020 at 11:34

      Linda, there is a clear weariness that emanates from prolonged distancing, but I like your commitment to emerging strong and unbowed. Simple pleasures will come again...

      Delete
  2. Linda B12 September 2020 at 07:39

    If and when your "chronicles" go into the wide world I would like to see if others feel the same. You've touched me through various parts about this strange time yet if not writers or doing some kind of art or creating through cooking, how are their days going? I have a favorite, Alan, "Do not lose your song." I don't want that at all, but do mourn those who have.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright12 September 2020 at 11:38

      A number of people have remarked on the same poem as you Linda. Our song, our voice is vital to good emotional health. We must nurture positivity and hopefully through a creative attitude we can emerge with greater self awareness. I have been indulging in a lot of cooking too. It is therapeutic and immensely satisfying.

      Delete
  3. Mary Lee12 September 2020 at 08:42

    I love the optimism of "A Perfect Time." Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright12 September 2020 at 11:39

      Thank you Mary Lee. I'm glad the optimism of the poem reached you as a reader.

      Delete
  4. Kay13 September 2020 at 05:13

    I love the thread of optimism that runs through these poems.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright13 September 2020 at 12:36

      In light of all the surrounding gloom and those who hitch themselves to it, optimism is my weapon of choice Kay. Glad you liked my various verses...

      Delete

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