Day 30 National Poetry Writing Month 2020


prompt - challenged to write a poem about something that returns.

#NaPoWriMo

Morning!

After the warmth of a summer`s day
evening begins to fade into night
sun slowly dips beneath the horizon
long shadows steal away the last light

stars speckled across a dark sky
while a mystical orb drifts past
leaving an eerie light over the land
silently creates a spooky contrast

then a glimmer of light is visible
oozing over the whole landscape
the horizon bursts into full colour
allowing night time to escape

good morning to Mother Earth
as the sun return after night
covering the world with warmth
and many hours of wonderful light

(c) Lissie Bull 2020

Day 29 National Poetry Writing Month 2020

Prompt - challenged to write  paeam to the stalwart hero of the your household: your pet!
Sing high your praise and tell the tale of Kitty McFluffleface`s ascension to Mt Couch!
Let`s hear how your intrepid doggo bravely answers the call to adventure whenever the leash jingles.

                Bubbles                                                                     Squeak

These are my two constant companions

not just beautiful buddles of fur

but wonderful members of me family

with gentle nudges and a powerful purr

both of my two amazing felines
can sense all of my emotions
mistresses of all they survey
all they ask for are my devotions

mistresses of all they survey
a clean soft comfy bed for rest
the best food that money can buy
Bubbles and Squeak, you are the best!

(c) Lissie bull 2020

Tiny Feet

Tiny feet that mean so much

to hold gently and to care for

love and tenderly caress

encourage along life`s way

surround and then enclose

in protection, keep them safe

care for them and heal them

from danger and harms hurts

watch them grow and develop

show them independence

let them go without a tear

no more soft cotton wool

good and healthy. fit and strong

all the love to live life through.

© Lissie Bull 2020

Image found on purpletwirls.com

Hedgehog

Little bundle of prickles

curled up tight in a ball
can`t see his tiny feet
nor his bright eyes at all

this tight little bundle
with thousands of spines
still looks such a cutie
masterful of all designs

keeping warm and safe
hiding amongst the worms
through winter he hibernates
until the warm weather returns

(c) Lissie Bull 2020 

image found on pinterest

Day 28 National Poetry Writing Month 2020

Prompt - describe a bedroom from your past in a series of descriptive paragraphs or a poem. It could be your childhood bedroom or your grandmother`s bedroom, a college dormitory or another significant room from your past.

Happy writing!

#NaPoWriMo

Dad`s Study

I loved my fathers study

an intriguing place to be

huge desk stood in the corner

I could hide, no one would see

blotting pad, pens, telephone
upon the desk was quite a mix

on the wall above his desk

hung a beautiful crucifix 

from his old Windsor chair

the laid out garden he could spy

while writing his Sunday sermon

when in his room, time would fly

nearby there`s chairs and a table

where visitor come to sit and chat

about a christening or wedding

and many more things like that

along one wall an old bookcase

filled with books of many titles

boring colours, written pages

prayer books and different bibles

father`s study was a special place

where he was the parish priest

we were not really allowed in there

that`s where kindness was released

(c) Lissie Bull 2020

Depression.

This coronavirus and lockdown affects every single person, in every aspect of their lives. It`s frightening, worrying and even heart breaking. However,  it's a necessity heed these new rules to overcome this virus that's attacking our existence.

For me, well yes I'm staying indoors  other than the permitted exercise and shopping. Social distancing is slowly becoming the norm and I'm video chatting with my family more.

Its the unseen side of all this, that is not spoken about that much.  The loneliness  of being in a house with older kids who stay in their rooms "doing their own thing" Not being able hug my family not living with me or meeting up with friends and chat over a coffee. Going to visit places in the car or just walking along the beach, dipping my toes in the sea.

I miss my markets and chatting to fellow crafters about ideas and interests. Exchanging news or a memory.  The joy of the big fayres, getting the gazebo up and greeting people, feeling proud that they enjoy my poems and friendship Creatures. Meeting other poets and enjoying our love of poetry. 

There are other side effects to all this too...the loneliness and depression and the sinking feeling and panic too.  How well I earn enough to survive or pay the next bill, when will normality return?

Mental health is not talked about enough. It is a serious issue and many, many people don't want to talk about it and in some cases don't even understand it. Yet its them that most likely are suffering from mental health.  It has a taboo feel about it and there are plenty of people who walk away and refuse to help.

I have suffered on and off with depression and sadly it can affect my ability to write my poetry. This then brings me further down and can lead to a vicious circle of depression-writers block - depression.

I'm sure there are many people out there who go through the same type of experiences that I go through.  Its important to seek out help but not always easy to find,  especially now!

What are the answers?  I don't think there is just one solution for everyone. We are all different so it transpires there will be different solutions.  Acknowledging there`s a problem is the first step, then talking to people, let them know how you feel, is the second step.  What happens next is not always clear, especially during these uncertain times. Maybe join a group online, pick up the phone and speak to your doctor or family.

Please don't hide behind your door and suffer this alone, there is help out there,  you just need to reach out and ask for help.

Take care of yourselves and stay safe

Lissie

xXx

Day 27  National Poetry Writing Month 2020

Prompt - challenged to write a poem in the farm of a review, a poetic review of something that isn`t normally review, eg   mother-in-law, the moon or the year 2020.
Happy writing

Bluebell Hill.

Such lovely local flora
located in a sunny place
wonderfully bright blue
with plenty of clear place

long luscious green leaves
around a delightful flower
instilling an emotional aura
a feeling of peace each hour

pop on over to Bluebell Hill
stroll through at your leisure

enjoy the delights of this wood
it really is a great treasure.

(c) Lissie Bull 2020

Bubbles

watching while you snooze away 

curled up so comfy on my lap

listen to your gentle purr

touch your soft paw as you nap

(C) Lissie Bull 2020

Day 26  National Poetry Writing Month 2020
Prompt - fill out an "Almanac Questionnaire" in five or less minutes,  then use your responses as the basis for a poem.

Lockdown

Routine is a must for us to survive

yet old customs need to be met

with coffee in the morning sunshine

out amongst the bluebells, so don't forget!

surrounded by people in their terraced homes

watching cats watching submerged frogs

not quite my childhood dream home

listening to the traffic and barking dogs

the daily outing to get our exercise

only around the local park for an hour

tagged graffiti and a discarded unicorn

then around the lake and passed the church tower

chatting about distant memories

riding home on the back of a tractor trailer

these made good bedtime stories with Rev Joy

cat snoozing under my window,  what a picture

listening to chirping birds from the corner

and fab aromas from bakery 3 mins away

sat outside in a hat, reading a lovers poem

plus that letter about wool, received yesterday

exports and conspiracies make the headlines

but what frightens me most today

are spiders on Clifton Suspension Bridge

but there another story in it's own way!

(C) Lissie Bull 2020

Lockdown Emotions

These are troubling times,  we`re all in lockdown. Staying at home and trying to look after each other. Only going out when it`s really necessary.  Sadly some families find themselves separated for a number of reason and this can be really scary.

With everything shut down most people are working from home. parents are having to home school their children. Queuing outside the supermarkets and pharmacists every day, staying two metre away from other people. It`s a different world we now live in.

These new measures bring new problem and emotions with them.  Depression, loneliness and mental health issues, to name but a few.  Support is limited due to people self isolating and not able to work for up to two weeks.  the risk of infection I high.  NHS staff, care works, doctors, drivers, postmen and even bus drivers are putting their lives at risk to help other.   These are frightening times.

I have some of my family with me through these tough times and I keep in touch the others by mobile, internet, video chat and even letter. it`s so important to keep the links open.  Not just for family but for friends too!

Through these times, I have been drawn to think about my husband and how much I miss him. This year it will be 13 years since he passed away and was given his wings.  I find myself talking to him, telling him my fears and emotions, asking him to watch over us all during these worrying times.  I know he is there, as he leaves me white feathers to find in the must unusual places.  I treasure each ad every one.

So when you are down and unsure of yourself, remember there are always people you can turn too. Whether these be professional or spiritual, there will be someone there.  Talk to them, tell them how you feel, ask for guidance and you will find that the answers will present themselves to you, but not necessarily the way you think they will!!

Also remember there are many way to help to release your emotions. Art is a wonderful way to help you.  Painting, drawing, writing, sewing, knitting, crafting, music (playing or listening) and poetry!  Art helps you to release the built up pressure of all the stress and emotions of this lockdown. 

Try one of them, it doesn`t matter how good or bad it is, the actual act of doing is really helps you.  You don`t have to share what you do, just spend a little while each day and you will see good results.

What have you got to lose?    Go on  give it a try!

Take care of yourselves and stay safe!

Lissie x

Day 25  National Poetry writing Month 2020

prompt -  to read a study a "Hymn to Life" by James Schuyler.   It`s a very long poem and take 34 mins to be read aloud.  The list of things to be included in the poem were endless.  I was dis-inclined to do this today.

I do enjoy these writing challenges

though todays prompt was more of a chore

Schuyler`s "Hymn to Life" was far to long

and to be frank, was rather a bore!

I sat and pondered for quite awhile

then put down my pen and tried to think

it was no use, I was dis-inclined 

so I put it away and had a drink!

(c) Lissie Bull 2020

Voices

The voices in my head 

are getting more persistent 

screaming loudly in my brain

if my cover my ears

they seem to get louder

wish there was peace again

throbbing through my body

these voices keeping talking

not sure what they say

the darkness makes it worse

suffocating my mind

just subsiding with a new day

my world is getting smaller

my brain is fit to burst

I`ve no idea what I should do

trapped in a lonely world

among voices in my head

with nowhere to turn too...

(c) Lissie Bull 2020