To celebrate National Poetry Day I asked women for submissions and I was blown away by the response.
I know from speaking to the poets of these poems, that some of these poems are a first foray into poetry. Inspired by National Poetry Day, women put pen to paper and enjoyed it as a way to get down in words what was rushing through their heads.
For some women, poetry is like breathing and writing has been a constant throughout their lives. Amazingly, two separate poets have told me that: ‘sometimes [they] just think in rhyme’. I also know poets who turn to poetry in times of extreme emotion, but cannot conceive of a verse when they’re happy.
Personally, I started writing poetry two years ago (on National Poetry Day), inspired by a few of my friends and I’m so thankful for what it’s brought to my life.
Over the next two days I am going to share eight excellent poems written by local women. I know you’ll enjoy reading them.
All poets are kept anonymous.
Come back tomorrow for part two.
The Empty Nest
By sad mum
Our house is now much quieter than the yester years,
“Mum Dad Dad Mum” no longer rings in our ears.
The hallway once adorned with muddy trainers, coats and bags,
Stands empty, fragrant, tidy, clean but makes us feel kinda sad.
Cos the imperfections a family brings with the chaos of hectic lives,
Meant a messy home, no time to chill friends and I, busy wives.
And to think we wished away these times, thinking one day it will come together
But ‘together’ is the word we yearn
As the children free the tether.
Our empty nest feels different and sometimes hard to bear
I worry they’ve eaten, made nice friends, slept, you can’t help but care.
I wish when I signed up as mum, someone warned me of this day,
I feel I’ve lost my purpose and cried perhaps more than I should say.
That being said I’m proud you have to give them wings,
Go see the world, try new things and see what life can bring!
Sweet magnolia
by Anon
Magnolia outside my window
Delicate in all its splendor
I'll sit with you a while
My soul I will surrender.
Magnolia outside my window
The beauty in my day
Time stands still before me
As I admire your display.
Although the chaos came to an end
by Anon
Although the chaos came to an end moments in life never felt the same
Fear and Flashbacks became my Forever friend.
Leaving me with a heart full of hidden pain.
Insanity was a game for him
But survival wasn’t for me
I gasped for air, I couldn’t swim
I felt my innocence turn to pain
Like I was the one to blame
The chaos was over, but I wasn’t free
His voice still echoes inside of me
I learnt to survive and overcome
Yet my mind always tells me, “He’s not done”.
I found part of myself that were lost
I removed poison from my life and that was the cost
I learnt that being broken is not the end
And I no longer had to pretend
He took me and held the gun
Then he pulled the trigger, just for fun
But I won’t cave, I'm a soldier
With every knife in my back, I grew bolder
Silenced by him... I am no longer
And here’s my comeback
1000x Stronger
Knitted of wool and woe
by Anon
The newly knitted white sweater
fits like a warm, overdue hug—
a soft sanctuary, until the skin begins to seep.
Her soul soaks into the stitches
within the first hour of wear.
The snug wool drinks the hurt;
a tapestry of trauma, woven of wool and woe,
held tight against her chest.
No amount of washing can undo the weight.
Red spots bloom like leaked ink,
permanent and impossible to erase.
The yarn is stained as deeply
as the secret maps of memories that refuse to fade.
Now, an off-white journal of agony,
written in crimson and salt.