Monday Evening Meetings post by Ruth Moore

This week's Monday night session's 'homework' is to research or read about the American poet, Billy Collins. Next week, 3 February, we will discuss and present a piece in his style. A quick 'google' of his name brings up a few animated Poetry videos, 'Forgetfulness' and 'the Dead', to name two. Worth a look!

Our recent entry into the 59th Wicklow Federation Drama Festival (noted in a previous blog) was thoroughly enjoyed - even if, in hindsight, it may have been the incorrect platform for our poetic sketch performance. It was great to see the high standard of theatrical performances from a number of the well established local drama groups. The experience was memorable and greatly appreciated.

Just a quick poem from a recent 'Free Writing' session we had at a Monday night meeting. The 'free writing' session lasts for about 15 minutes so the poem is unfinished and needs tidying-up but it is an example of 'on-the-spot' writing. The attempt here was to create a sonnet with the rhyming sequence 'abba , cddc, effe, gg' but you will note I've missed a line! Oops!

'Stepping Stone' 
by Ruth Moore

I've come from lands not far away, 
To this small isle, unknown before.
With eyes ahead, I land on shore.
With patience, focus, for however long I stay. 

I take the work you throw aside,
As this is not my final calling.
The thought of promise - I'm only stalling. 
Day-in, month-out, a passing tide. 

Nine years I have served and paid my way, 
Papers completed - I'm a better 'brand'
As if I were born a part of this land. 

No loyalty or allegiance to this land or home,
For this is but a stepping stone. 

Wicklow Writers make big impression with Poetic Drama

Wicklow Writers Group performed their short Drama 'Listeners' - based on the famous poem
'The Listeners' by Walter De La Mare, in the ICA Wicklow Federation 59th Drama Festival in Glenealy Village Hall on Fri 24th Jan 2014.

 The short drama was written by Wicklow Writer Peter Hickey, and this novel interpretation 
of a famous poem was performed by Wicklow Writers members who played the parts 
of characters and human props eg moon, leaves etc from the poem.

We didn't win, but we made a big impression.

And a great time was had by all !

A Pocketful of Zen

A Pocketful of Zen

She would rather be naked

Or elegantly dressed

But I see her in underwear

I sit and think

The words form just inside my head

No one to listen

John Lennon on the radio

Still alive

Imagine.

The pen does not write

It translates thoughts

Into words

The Poet sees

But does not say

The Poem says

But does not see

Martin Swords

Jan 2014

Zen in the City

Zen in the City

City streets are hard

I cannot feel

The yielding Earth

A busy crossing. Halfway

High heeled stumble. A catch.

Beautiful smiles.

Christmas throng swept on.

They both remembered.

Christmas in the cold city

Jesus huddles on every pavement

Asking the Philistines to be Samaritans.

Martin Swords

Jan2014