| Impressions |
Whenever I meet someone who writes poetry I'm always deeply impressed. I feel a deep, unspoken bond of empathy with anyone who makes the effort to put their impressions of life onto paper - for their own pleasure and the pleasure of their readers.
Most of us blindly stumble on from day to day, not even trying to understand or rationalise what we are doing and what is going on around us.
The poet takes a different view. He or she pauses amidst the confusion of everyday life, examines the world, then tries to make some sense of it all. It is a sad fact that most of a poet's writing goes unheeded. For every thousand poems that are written, probably only one sees the light of day and is scanned by the eyes of any other human than the author.
That's why we are especially pleased to bring you this collection of material, all of which has not previously been published. So we hope that the words in this book have, for you, the desired effect and that they make lasting Impressions on you.
ACROSS
THE SEA
When twelve, we were penpals, you and me -
Sending our many letters across the sea.
Over the years, our friendship grew,
Though we never met, it’s true.
Photos kept our faces in sight -
Miles apart, but so happy to write.
You wrote me your family’s new address,
Somehow it must have been wrong, I guess.
The letter I sent to your new home
The post office returned marked unknown.
It’s a shame that we lost touch -
I missed your letters very much.
When dusting the glass trinket you bought,
Of you I have many a curious thought.
I wonder how you’ve fared in life -
Happy children, a beautiful wife?
Still living on your sunny island with blue sea?
It is possible, passing, you might also think of me?
Sue J Bell, Nuneaton, Warwickshire
THE DIAMOND IN MY HEART
I think of you as a little diamond embedded in the centre of my heart,
A diamond which gleams and sparkles with pure white light,
Creating the life force of my life.
You are the most precious gem I could ever possess,
The heart of my heart,
A gem which radiates warmth and energy into and around my body from within.
The innocence of your eyes,
The purity of your face,
The simplicity of your manner,
The assurance of your voice
All make you the most priceless of all jewels
For which I have locked you up inside my heart.
Nahid Zaman, Upminster, Essex
Born in London Nahid Zaman enjoys creative writing, reading and
working out. “I started writing poetry at the age of nine because I loved
reading and I wanted to write something myself,” she pointed out. “My
work is influenced by my moral issues. My style is spontaneous, free
and flowing and I would like to be remembered as a reticent, individualistic,
unworldly person.” Nahid is 21 and works as a sales assistant but has
an ambition to be an economist. She has written many poems and had several
published. “My biggest fantasy is to be a bold, dashing, daredevil hellcat
rider and a female super-hero,” she said.
MY FAVOURITE THINGS
I write about the things I love
Of nature’s tapestry.
The opening of a flower,
The buzz of a bumble bee,
Of newborn lambs in springtime
And the smell of new-mown hay,
The countryside when it comes alive
In that wonderful month of May.
I love the sound of a forest brook
And the flash of a dragonfly blue,
A walk in the woods on a cold winter’s day
Or a stroll in the morning dew.
The sound of a bird with a song in its heart
And the world to sing it to -
These sights and sounds which are all around
Weave a magic only nature can do.
Jimima Shaw, Poole, Dorset
MY MAGICAL MOMENT IN THE NIGHT
My magical moment glowed in the middle of the night
When I looked up in the sky I saw that lovely shining star
Shining down on me that made me glow
I would look up in the sky and see my own
Secret shining star up in the sky
I was wishing on a star
It was a very magical moment up in the sky
You could see there was a feeling of love
It would make my eyes sparkle and glow
When I made that secret wish up in the sky
And one day it came true
You could see the magical moon in the sky
With all the other stars shining around up in the sky
The sky was all filled with magic
Glowing with magical light in the sky
When I looked in the sky
You could feel the most happiest feeling
Of a powerful feeling of love up in the sky
Sandra Goddard, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
THE HAPPY PIRATE
Ahoy, ahoy I am lord of the seas,
proud and defiant I sail the great seas.
Great ship of fine captains I dare to own,
’twas a great day I captured this ship I call home.
A pirate I may be, but a great one I know,
No one will fight me, be it friend or foe.
I lead a fine crew, all are loyal and true,
so we sail the seas, through routes old and new.
Shiver me timbers, I love the great seas,
Ahoy, ahoy I am lord of the seas.
Beverley Zywina, Feltham, Greater London
CLOSING THE BOOK
Another chapter has come to an end,
Leaving only memories to linger on.
The battle of talents and dreams
Is now fading like the light.
Time has passed, slipped through my fingers,
Leaving me with a future so unsure.
Security has collapsed around me,
A crossroads has appeared out of nowhere.
No matter which path I now choose,
This is the final chapter.
Unanswered questions race around me -
Their quest for fulfilment will soon be over.
I never imagined it would end this way,
Never thought I would disappear with the night.
After always wanting to hurry to the end,
Now it is here I am not ready to close the book.
Priscilla Clayton, Birmingham, West Midlands
SMILE
A certain smile is all you need to see you through each day,
A smile that spreads much happiness all along the way.
It brightens up life’s pathway whenever you’re apart,
Sending secret messages as it lingers in the heart.
A word of love, a fleeting glance, a gentle tender touch
Can lift spirits, warm the heart, and always means so much.
And to hear the words ‘I love you’ and see that special
certain smile
Makes the world a better place, and everything worth while.
Jan Imeson, Burgess Hill, Sussex
THE CATHEDRAL
To be here is like no other being here,
To be now is like no other being now;
To hear this music is to hear the universe
Settling in its own silence, its centre:
A heartbeat so profound
That we must live our lives between it
And the next - between this world
And the next. We hold our breath,
The beauty so intense: the arch,
The arc of angel song, the ladder
From earth to air, completing the circuit,
The described rainbow bridging
Beneath the stone-enclosed spaces.
We see, we taste the coloured music
Of the Mass: the jars of wine
Poured out for us; the bread
Of Heaven.
Paul Manton, Finchley, Greater London
THE WAR TO END ALL WAR: 1914-1918
Trees of life
Battered and burnt
To trees of death:
Defiant crucifixes
Marking where their uncles and grandfathers lay
Mingled with munitions
In the burying clay.
Gentle, fragile, blood-red, rising, echoing
Weep not for us; weep for yourselves and your children.
Flowers of sadness:
Flanders poppies, symbols of madness.
Geoffrey Martin, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire
THE HEART’S QUESTION
Microdot rainbow glistening in a dewdrop...
Vaporising;
Over-arching colours shining through sun and rain... Fading;
Shimmering gleam of insect wing... vanishing;
Fragile silken petal... falling;
Flicker of gentle snowflake on my finger... melting,
Lightning streak of meteor piercing the night sky... gone.
And my heart cries out sadly,
“Where are you, O Creator,
In all this transient beauty?
I see your hand,
But not your face.”
Shadow of darkness engulfing a cross;
Sacrifice offered by agonised Christ;
Face crowned with thorns is turned towards me -
In that instant I hold
A lasting impression of love.
Vera Urwin-Mann, Tavistock, Devon
Vera Urwin-Mann said: “An early career in art, later in nursing,
and now retirement, have all given opportunity for reflection of some
of life’s (so far) unanswered questions. The ultimate question, which
the poem asks and answers, expresses, I believe, the supreme longing
of the human heart. Living in the country, my husband Tom and I are blessed
with constantly-changing impressions of a beautiful creation - beautiful,
but ephemeral. By contrast, the creator, in his self-giving love, remains
everlasting. I hope to be able to convey something of this through the
poetry which I feel he has given me.”
A MOMENT
Yesterday I saw a boy
Could not have been more than ten years old
Standing on a street corner
Smoking a cigarette.
He struck a pose: cool, confident, uncaring,
Took a drag, and gagged.
I wish I had had a Polaroid with me
To have captured the moment for him,
For posterity,
A moment before his body and mind
Learn to accept the poisons of this world
On a daily basis -
No longer notice them,
No longer put up a fight
And he no longer has to affect indifference.
Simon Gunter, Rugby, Warwickshire
DESTINY
White whale spouting spume
Rise and fall in majesty.
Dolphin rattle a raucous tune
Revel to human touch.
Salmon strike an urgent course,
Plunge, leap up stream, spawn.
Trout glide, dart about
Arrow-like over the river bed.
Goldfish flourish with reed and frond,
Avoid the heron in garden pond.
Marine and freshwater fruit
Each its own sleek splendour,
Subject to predator.
Caught unawares, hook, net or beak,
Beached, flounder writhing wet,
Squirm, flap desperate.
Bruised scales still gleaming yet
Succumb to destiny.
Thelma Vandridge, Chatham, Kent
SOUTH AFRICAN LEOPARD
He came from the wilderness
I never visited.
He sees through my city,
my people,
and me.
He keeps the silence of wisdom
like a treasure from the last river.
He walks, piercing the air,
building his space
while
he cuts the wind in its centre.
The others talk
and he listens to his thoughts
to find the furtive nymph
among the lies.
But yesterday,
he lost his freedom.
He trusted me.
Maria Maritato, Upminster, Essex
Maria Maritato has hobbies including opera, theatre, classical
music and reading. “I started writing poetry when I was nine because
I had a means to create. My work is influenced by human nature and my
style is intellectually passionate. I would like to be remembered as
a poet by birth and a writer by work.” Maria works as a librarian but
wants to earn her living through writing. “The person I would most like
to meet is Julian Barnes, to absorb his intelligence,” she said. “I have
written around 300 poems and most of them have been published. I have
also written short stories and a novel.”
MYSELF
I don’t dress for fashion or passion,
I have to wear for comfort and stability,
being all elastic.
I can move with ease,
although it’s a tight squeeze to keep my back
and shoulders straight.
I have to wear elastic,
you can scoff at the state I’m in.
It’s true don’t laugh until I’ve told all.
I wish I could bounce like a rubber ball,
so when I fall I can bounce back with ease,
instead of freeze and think ooh, what was that I just broke?
I wish I could have a feast instead of pick and choose,
have a good booze up,
not suffer aches and pains; that’s so mundane.
So I have to refrain the feast and the booze,
so I can have a good snooze.
Jennifer Reeves, Walsall, West Midlands
THE POLITICAL VISITOR
The cleaners had made special efforts today
The excited nurses had much to say
The visitor beamed the smile of compassion
The service men forced a smile, of a fashion
The ex-barrack room lawyer, now ward lawyer
Spoke his thoughts, words from a tortured soul
So young, so fit, before war took its toll
What glory is there in death
What comfort in this chair
What good are eyes that cannot see
What is life, we cannot bear
Or arms without hands
To caress those we love
Left now to wait the endless hours
Restless in this bed
To scream the nightly dream
To relive the horrors seen
We won the war it’s true
But was it just, to make great men like you?
Bernard Tucker, Rotherhithe, Greater London
ANOTHER VIEW
People have a view of me
That I can never fully see.
Like a book, they read their way,
I’m a picture on display.
Everything is taken stock,
Judging me: I’m in the dock.
An image taken, undermined,
A photo of another kind.
Then taking all the clues to sense,
And sifting through the evidence,
Full conclusions come to be,
Impressions form of you and me.
Fred Ablitt, Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Born in Westcliff-on-Sea Fred Ablitt has interests including motorcycles,
fishing and writing. “I started writing poetry about four years ago,” he
explained. “I felt inspired to put pen to paper and found I had the ability.
I would describe my style as wide-ranging and rhythmic and I would like
my work to live on and have an impact with my readers.” Aged 44, Fred
works as a plumber and has an ambition to progress his writing skills
into short stories and novels. He is married to Julie and they have six
children Michael, Simon, Jason, Scott, Anna Marie and Elizabeth. “I have
written over 200 poems and had several published,” he added.
COUNTRY WALK
I remember a very long time ago
Walking down country lanes where wild roses would grow
Long winding lanes where the honeysuckle would be
Those hot sunny days that seemed to last for eternity
We would take our picnic in large fields of green
Amongst all the wild flowers so calm and serene
Where have all those days gone I ask myself
The world has changed so much with increased wealth
Little things pleased us in those days
A game of rounders till we saw the end of the sun’s rays
A bag of fish and chips on the way home
Straight out of the paper the best we had known
It seems so sad when you look around today
So many people have lost their way
So let’s go back in time to the days that used to be
They will refresh us and live in our memory
Enid Skelton, Luton, Bedfordshire
DO IMPRESSIONS REALLY MATTER?
Do impressions really matter?
When you like someone, that’s that.
Plain or ugly, how can you be
With a wonderful smile like that?
A beautiful person has an aura,
Something inside that glows,
A heart that is warm and giving,
Kindness in eyes that shows.
So do impressions really matter?
Yes of course; cleanliness tops the list,
Good grooming and being naturally pleasant
Will then make an impression a hit.
Joan Kernick, Newton Abbot, Devon
INDELIBLE GRACE
I walked one day in the country,
Feeling peaceful and happy, serene,
For I knew that Christ was my Saviour,
In His blood, I’d been washed, made clean.
I stopped for quite some minutes,
Just gazing in rapture and awe,
For the beauty of God’s creation,
And His love was in all I saw.
I thought over how He’d created
The world, and all that in it is,
And my heart went out in thanksgiving,
For blessing me with all that was His.
I remembered when I was in darkness,
As darkness was once over the deep,
But as God lit the world with His sunshine,
So in me doth Christ shine and doth keep.
What a wonderful God and Creator,
To give night and day, yes, He cares,
But nothing will match The Glory,
That in Heaven for me He’s prepared.
Phyllis Cole, Oxford, Oxfordshire
OUR LAST DANCE
Thinking back to as far as I can
When my eyes fell upon a wonderful man
Little did I know that my heart would fall
For this dark handsome stranger standing tall.
He took my hand and asked me to dance
A magical start to a whirling romance
I remember my heart and how it felt
As he held me close, it began to melt.
A feeling of happiness
A feeling of bliss
My heart pounded quickly
From our very first kiss.
I remember all this as if it were yesterday
A true love that’s always stayed with me
A true love that’s never gone away.
As I sit here old and grey
The memory of my husband will always stay
And as I sit here I smile and think of when
Our time will come and we have that dance again.
Amanda Johnson, Liverpool, Merseyside
Born in Fazakerly Amanda Johnson has hobbies including writing
and gym training. “My work is influenced by my feelings and experiences
and I would describe my style as poetry with feeling,” she said. “I would
like to be remembered as someone who brought joy and happiness to the
lives of many people.” Aged 29 she is a housewife with an ambition to
be a famous author. She has one daughter and the person she would most
like to meet is the author Dave Pelzer. “Reading his work inspired me
and gave me hope,” she said. “My biggest fantasy is to have my own private
jet.”
NEUROSIS
Can you hear the hollow, reflecting sound of time behind the night?
Content and cool, although a little on edge
Senses aware of this creeping fear hysteria.
Lodged in the backwoods of your mind.
That summer security has left you as the moon looks on in pity at your
lost bravado.
Daniel Burke, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear
SLEEP
In lavender-filled rooms,
We sleep and dream,
Thoughts, there are plenty,
But not all, as they seem.
Loved by many, in love with one,
You’ve cast the die, the deal is done.
Sweet memories, of something you long to feel,
Someone to comfort, each hurt to heal.
As you tread the path to future hopes,
To give you support when you’re on the ropes.
Remember to give as much as you receive,
Relationships come, they can also leave.
You hope of course this love will keep,
That love you found in lavender-filled sleep.
Mark Green, Rothesay, Scotland
Mark Green said: “I have been writing poetry since childhood.
Many of my poems are written from the heart, the title chosen for my
own published book of poems. I love to write and enjoy people’s reactions
when they read my work. I am thrilled that this is my third poem chosen
by United Press for one of their books. I am single and still looking
for Mr Right, I enjoy reading and running local quizzes and love holidaying
in France. I could never tire of Paris. I hope however that I never have
to leave my wonderful island of Bute.”
TIME
The hands of time
Move on in relentless pace
Never falling back
Nor never in haste
Storms nor fair
Shall not hinder its pace.
Time steadily ploughs on
To neither goal nor task
But to tick away
Neither slow nor fast
As I write these words
The time glides by.
Time is not something
That can be held in your hand
But can be shown on your face
And felt in your heart
In reflective memories.
Maybe times stops when we die
Can you deny it - not you, nor I.
Alexander Baird, Dalry, Scotland
Born in Springhill Renfrewshire Alexander Baird enjoys writing
poetry, oil painting and hiking. “I started writing poetry in 1971,” he
said. “I have always had a great love of mother nature and I find I could
express it through poetry. My work is influenced by every facet of life
and my style is varied.” Aged 71, he is retired and has ambition to have
all his poems and short stories published. “I have written over 1,000
poems and many short stories,” he pointed out. Alexander has five daughters,
two sons and many grandchildren.
THE UNWELCOME GUEST
Once we had an unwelcome guest,
He really was quite a pest,
He insisted on handing out leaflets about forestry
conservation schemes
And he even left a card, lest
We should forget the unwelcome guest.
Scott Mallett, Fleetwood, Lancashire
Scott Mallett said: “I started writing eight years ago at the
age of fourteen. As well as poetry, I write songs, short stories, scripts
and essays. The Unwelcome Guest is one of upwards of 500 poems I have
written, all of which vary greatly in style and subject matter. My poetry
is often from personal experince, often from my imagination, or an equal
measure of both. I studied English and Creative writing at Manchester
Metropolitan University and I am currently working on my first novel.”
SOLAR HEATED BARGAIN
A once paradise planet up for sale
Very badly vandalised and looking very frail
Everything’s included, it’s all got to go
The land the sea and even the snow
Flora and fauna diminishing fast
Many already lost in the past
One primate species mostly to blame
Owner did his best, it seems such a shame
In the right hands still a lot of potential
Needs a young God that’s not so gentle
Old owner retiring into deepest space
All offers considered for this bargain
Planet place
Please contact heaven on prayer number seven.
Henry Mazza, Leeds, West Yorkshire
RABBONI’S GIFT
Look at this kernel small and twee
Said He to Julian, who lived afore me,
It exists and it lives, it grows from quite small
And its life is organic with an aim to grow tall
And I love it said He.
Look at this flower small and twee
Said Jesus in scripture, who came afore me,
It exists and it lives, magnificent bright
And its life is organic with an aim to delight
And I love it said He.
Look at these persons small and twee
Said my Father in Heaven, who reigns before me,
You exist and you live growing up with my call
Your life’s more than organic or subsequent fall
Yes, you are my gift that you feintly recall
I will show you who you really are
And I love you said He.
Janet Evans, Liverpool, Merseyside
A LOVING SMILE
Smile as you travel on life’s way
A smile can brighten someone’s day.
To smile costs nothing at all to you,
But it helps another to pull through.
There are plenty of people around
Who will be very pleased to have found
A friend like you to cheer their day,
And maybe sit with them and pray
About the things they needed to share,
And let them see that you really care.
Friendships are formed through a loving smile,
Because someone went the extra mile.
Could you smile a little every day
And let God use you in this way?
Vera Gwendoline Taylor, Bradford, West Yorkshire
LIVING MEMORIES
One day in the year.
Of one, nine, four, four,
To my mother was born,
A daughter of war.
This vulnerable baby,
Father in battle,
Was reared at grandad’s
Cottage, called “Castle”.
Such a wondrous haven.
Gave comfort to me,
I was nurtured and loved,
On this old man’s knee.
The simple white dwelling,
Two flowers I found,
Appeared as from nowhere,
Through cracks in the ground.
Now with hair turning grey,
’Side my door I see,
The same orange flowers,
Living memories.
Julia Amos, Blackpool, Lancashire