Let me one day paint such a vivid picture of my February feelings in words! Spleen, by Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867)From https://poets.org/poem/spleen (I) February, peeved at Paris, poursa gloomy torrent on the pale lesseesof the graveyard next door and a mortal chillon tenants of the foggy suburbs too. The tiles afford no comfort to my catthatContinue reading “February according to Baudelaire”
Tag Archives: poetry
The Flowers of Evil, by Charles Baudelaire: some personal reflections.
I’ve finished reading The Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire. I thought I’d write a summary of the themes and some personal reflections on this collection; what I think the poet is trying to convey through his use of imagery, the recurring themes, and my own responses to him. A bit about the book and the poet:Continue reading “The Flowers of Evil, by Charles Baudelaire: some personal reflections.”
2025 – a summary
I’ve decided to write a summary of the year. So much time just passes and I’ve not been making time to reflect on moments, big and small, that mean so much. Life can so easily become just keeping up with things without enough thought. (Having said that, there’s no a whole lot of thought hereContinue reading “2025 – a summary”
Happy winter solstice 2025
A few years ago I wrote this poem for the MK Lit Fest online event ‘Dreams for midwinter’. I’m quite proud of it, but every time I read the third line of the second stanza … I want the line to break at citrus! “belie like citrus skies turned sour” So much better! 😠NewContinue reading “Happy winter solstice 2025”
Felicity, by Mary Oliver.
Re-reading a book of poems, the title of which is my name. Yes, I decided to read it for my name, and the timing of my re-reading is helpful and calming. Also I want to say “these poems were written for me!” as a poet who touches us often creates this feeling. But really, IContinue reading “Felicity, by Mary Oliver.”
Take Me With You. A poem by Courtney Kampa
Put your ribs into the wind when you say it.Expose a pearl-bellied throat to the sky.So many words for wrapping your mind aroundthe self, instead of your arms around the anklesof another. Take me with you. Say it, and feelthat ache in the teeth, the one unlearnedas a child, when, in a snap for sweetness,Continue reading “Take Me With You. A poem by Courtney Kampa”
The More Loving One, by W. H. Auden
Trump’s birthday parade
Hope is the crowd so thin you can hear squeaky tank tracks 😂
Validation!
My poem ‘Cuckoo’s Heart’ was highly commended in the MK Lit Fest 2025 writing competition. I think of all the things I do and am, poetry is the thing I need validation for least, simply because it gives me a high like nothing else. But it does feel bloody nice!
2. Travelling in style
Week 2 of the book ’52 – a year of poetry writing prompts’ from Nine Arches Press. Commute Lasso the time like gravitysnap future into memorya blur like current through a wirelasso the time like gravity I’m braced; a body drawn through spacea hare in tortoise carapacelasso the time like gravitysnap future into memory.
