Danger! – a cautionary tale for writers, by Kevin Murphy

When I set out to become primarily a writer it was because I wanted to write about the major issues that concern me.

In exploring issue based writing as my ‘genre’, one of the first things I received was a warning: ‘Don’t!’

The writer was implying that if you choose to write about issues that concern you, you block yourself off from open-minded plot and character development. I seemed to have fallen at the very first hurdle. However, I soon found that I could not agree. My main aim was not to be a rich and famous author, but a writer respected for both my views and my writing skills.

Empty Page! by Chris South

 Empty page!

4am and yet

Another empty page

Waiting for these words

Here they come once again

Contemplating meanings

They mutter and stutter

Flutter around like birds inside my head

Searching for a perch on which to hide

Somewhere they cannot be read

So here they come

These thoughts

Which should by now be dreams

Some with faces

Some with names

Others bursting at the seams

In desperation to be heard

Those feelings locked away inside

That seldom speak a word

Now vocalise their pain

Rise up to the surface

And then submerge again

Sleep is now an option

Rather than necessity

Perhaps I’ll listen longer

Hear what I would say to me

Where will this all end?

How long shall I spend tonight

What more can I write

To say what has not thus been said?

What else can be written

That cannot yet be read

Within this book?

Take a look

Back through these pages of my life!

Each one tells a story

Some of glory some of strife

Hopes and dreams and fantasy

All laid out in rhyme to see

Fear, pain, frustration, rage

And then?

Another

Empty page!

Poetry, a subtle kind of passion by Michael Healy

A reply to Faymarie’s feelings about poetry. How do you feel?

Poetry, a subtle kind of passion

Poetry is a subtle kind of passion

That can lift the soul in a glorious fashion

Select your words with great care

So they flow and fit in a way that is rare.

You hope your thoughts will coalesce

So your audience feel that they are blessed

If only one person sees your meaning

Like a baby that is weaning

And it fills them with a passion

So just one of your poems is too small a ration.

Link your words till they raise a smile,

Do it more so it lasts for a while

After all, as you will know

A good poet’s art can make your passion glow.

                                                                           Michael Healy

A line of rhyme by Michael Healy

Not often do I have the time

To sit and read a line of rhyme

The Poet’s thoughts now put to paper,

To enjoy the feel, the flow and savour,

Each word linked carefully with the next

Combined with care to form the text

That paints its picture in the mind

And lets the stress of life unwind

That lifts the soul and gladdens the heart;

The poet’s gift has played its part.

Michael Healy