Poems – My Little Notepad

To my husband on his birthday

Today is my husband’s birthday (I’m actually writing this the night before so let’s hope scheduled posting works, eh WordPress?). I love birthdays; I always try to make the most of them and make the birthday person feel special.

That’s not always that we buy the most expensive presents, although he’s arranged some amazing presents for me over the years with love and thoughtfulness. And I’m afraid he’s going to have to wait at least another year for the house in France (besides, they’re murder to giftwrap, only Steve Martin can get a bow big enough). But this year I’ve hopefully got him presents he’ll like and I’m pretty sure the things the babies have done will make him well up.

To finish the day off, I wanted to do him my own tribute here on the blog. I’m by no means a poet and I make no grand claims about the quality of what follows; except to say it’s from my heart and with much love to you, Andrew.

On Your Birthday

You think you’re getting old, my love

You fret about grey hairs

I’m sorting out a zimmer, love

A lift for those darn stairs.

But you see, it’s just not true, my love

You’re in the prime of life

With those two gorgeous kids you love

And a most besotted wife.

Your future’s just beginning, love

I know how bright you’ll shine

And I will be with you, my love

Until the end of time.

A Poem For Emily

Tweeted earlier today, and based on real life events…

Emily Grace

Had a twisty face

‘Cause something was bugging her tum

She started to cry

Then let out a sigh

As it exploded out of her bum.

Next came a belch

A big sticky squelch

And for the first time in a while

Emily Grace

Had a happy face

And a great big beaming smile!

I also did a new six minute story, which you can read here.

http://sixminutestory.com/read/running-behind

Ode to Twitter

A bit of silliness for a Sunday morning!

I wandered lonely through the crowd

And lurked behind the twitt’ring birds;

Their clever tweets and nimble words.

But, to my shame, I ne’er allowed

Myself to join that bustling horde.

But fled to Facebook, where dwelt my friends

Away from hashtags, RTs, Trends.

And sang out loud, with joyous chords,

Of photos and of frivolous apps.

Till one day somehow I returned

To Twitter, where I slowly learned

To leave behind those real-time chats.

For far more lies in such small measures

Than at first appears to untrained eyes.

From links posted by those more wise

To marv’llous tips and witty treasures.

I find new blogs I must peruse,

And #followfridays, that weekly curse!

Choosing who to commend to the Twitterverse.

And catching up on daily news.

But the highlights of my time spent tweeting

Are cosy chats with new Twit friends,

The comfort, support, when I’m round the bend,

The jokes shared at each virtual meeting.

Alas! Poor Facebook lags behind

Its Farmville follies and ‘Friend of the Day’

Are all too sadly leagues away.

And time spent there grows less, I find.

Though one day I may once again roam

Now I’ll nest in my Twitter home.

Poetry

Just a quick one today, because I’ve been writing a pantomime script for two days solid, it’s nearly midnight, and I need to go to sleep before my dear darling son wakes up for a couple of hours.

I just wanted to recommend a couple of things. Firstly, the book: Stephen Fry’s “The Ode Less Travelled”. I’ve been reading this book for a couple of days, between script writing, and it is the most wonderful journey into poetry I could imagine. It explains formal terms and how to use them, with a handy reference table at the end of the chapter, and includes exercises to put the theory into practice. It has opened up a world of poetry to me, and I cannot wait to finish the panto so I can get back on with the book.

Secondly, aforesaid poetry. I have been dabbling with poetry a little over the past few months without any insight or guidance to get the most from it. Now, however, I am beginning to notice poetry in everyday life. I know this sounds pretentious, but bear with me. I am picking up rhythms in speech, I am noticing alliteration in hidden places (deliberate as well as accidental). I am learning to break down language and to play with language and it is more exciting than I can ever remember it being.

Here is a link to “The Ode Less Travelled” on Amazon (UK), and I hope you get as much enjoyment from it as I have so far.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ode-Less-Travelled-Unlocking-Within/dp/009179661X