Thank you Biz for your remarks re the attempted break in that happened roughly two and a half weeks ago now.

Thankfully, I have two dogs, one soppy retriever and one mixed breed terrier. Guess who is the boss?

She barked during the early hours of that morning, though I thought at that time that it was the neighbours coming home and it wasn't until the morning when I opened my back door and found it wide open (It is literally outside my back door as my garden runs lengthwise to my home) that I realised someone had tried to break in)

As I turned around there was a bent screwdriver on my window sill and I could see where they had tried to prise (sp) the window open.

Only later did I hear that a young lady had been held at gunpoint (I think that this is the right expression) in her own home whist these awful people robbed her. She lives less than half a mile from me so this concerned me somewhat.

The city in which I live is wonderful with such history and is usually one of the few cities that has suffered from gun crime, though it now appears to be moving away from the 'big' cities to the outskirts of London/Birmingham and other Cities.

The police have been marvellous though they cannot be here 24/7 as such. Actually, they have been here today to tell me that they are stepping up their controls of the area. We (my neighbours and I) have never known so many attempted burglaries and I have lived here for over 22 years now. They tell me that they have suspects to interview as many other people have given descriptions in nearby areas/villages. They also told me not to worry as the burglars (another old fashioned word) do not normally attempt to enter a property where they were unsuccessful the first time.

All good news .

Lynne x

It's good news that the police are onto it, but so awful that it's necessary. That poor girl, what a shocking experience for her.

Your terrier sounds as if she's a good guard dog, and the police's reassurance is comforting. Here's to a good night's sleep Lynne.

A Windy Cornish Cove

I swapped a warming tavern for
The Cornish climate fresh and raw,
I walked a night devoid of moon,
Aware the beach would calm me soon.

I turned a cottage corner and
Came to that lonely strip of sand
I call my secret heart’s retreat,
Where starfishes and rock-pools meet.

I always find the windswept bay
Speaks of Daphne DuMaurier
And seagull songs above the coast
Paint pictures of Rebecca’s ghost.

I knew my fantasy was nigh;
When hands of midnight gripped the sky
Imagination surged unbound,
Transformed the cove and all around.

As I dreamt of a coming threat
Dead seaweed glistened dark and wet,
Wild smugglers with illegal stock
Were steering in their ship to dock.

They’d tackled the Atlantic foam
Spurred on by weary thoughts of home,
With lantern beams supplying light
Their battered vessel pierced the night.

From my short glimpse of coastal crime
I came back to the present time;
What visions touch me when I rove
Down to a windy Cornish cove.


©

Really sorry to hear about that Lynne - take care of yourself and I'm glad you have dogs to look out for you

My memories of the sea
will never leave me.
I sat and stared at the waves,
my soul I once thought it craves.

I thought it knew me, more than me,
and held my thoughts within the sea.

How beautiful Flower, I feel the same about the sea. Some poems touch your soul and this exquisite one did for me.

I don't think we are alone in this mustard, I think many have pondered whilst watching and listening to the waves.....tis a shame that many dismiss it as 'Naff'

Quiet times.

Where did they go?
a time to think alone in the snow.

A time to read without the tele,
an Ipad or someone with an empty belly?

I watch my grandkids, see them smile,
hope they have quiet as they walk their mile.

To appreciate the quiet things,
a dragonfly with exquisite wings

If you don't mind, I would like to copy and paste the lovely poems to a folder on my pc. I can then read them again without having to log on.

The sea. Does anyone here have favourite words as such? I was wondering as I have a few that are related to the sea.

The Cornish poem reminded me of times with my young children and our lovely holidays searching with them in the rock pools.

Rebecca is one of my favourite books and I remember being so surprised when I found out many years ago that she had written a short story that eventually became the film' Don't look back' with Julie Christie.

Respectfully, I wonder if anyone could write about the cold, windy shore of the North Sea? This was 30 feet from my home in oh, 169-1973. it was grey, cold, windy, flooded (so sorry to the poster that has suffered from these awful floods) but fantastic for walking the dogs and playing with the children even if it were cold and uninviting. The vastness of the sky was amazing even in winter and to have the beach to myself and family in the winter months was great.

Lynne x

Thanks Lynne, it's nice when a poem re-kindles good memories I read more fact than fiction, but Daphne DuMaurier is far and away my favourite novelist. Don't Look Back has one of the most terrifying endings in cinema and it doesn't seem like DuMaurier's work. But she had a very dark side, as The Birds and Rebecca testify. I couldn't put down Jamaica Inn and The House On The Strand is fascinating too, as it involves time travel. Her imagery has inspired me to make poems on Cornwall more dramatic.

I'm glad you're putting some of the contributions here into a folder. As for the North Sea poem, I have one on the old BBC shipping forecast and I'll search my files for empty beaches. I'm sure I've done a few as I love them


I find the sea very spiritual Flower. When I'm on a quiet beach I let the sound of the tides wash away all the petty stuff that clogs the mind.


Amen to that. I'm afraid we're in a minority now, as everyone's plugged into their personal electronic bubble.

Amazingly, this thread's been going for just over six years! It's even survived the horrible DS make-over

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE WHO READS, POSTS COMMENTS OR WRITES POETRY HERE

A poem a day
Keeps stagnation at bay

And a Happy New Year from me too Musty. My wish for 2014 is that the occasional (and new)posters will join in more often, not post a few times then disappear.

Musty, you should get a DS honour for keeping the thread going strong

Happy New Year to all

I hope you have a great New Year Musty, don't have too many tipples


I let a party popper go earlier, it went quite a distance.

Happy New Year Biz

May I take this opportunity to wish you all A VERY HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Once again, thank you all so much for your welcome.

Lynne, Dogs, Cats and mouse/mice that have taken residence in my old Kitchen cupboard. Humane traps do not work as it/they have circumnavigated the trap and the food has gone..

Plan B?

Happy New Year Sandy and Lynne.

Plan B - put cat(s) in kitchen cupboard for the night?

Trust

I give you my crystal-thin trust.
Hold it tight.
Keep it safe.

Here’s my love,
as rich as beaten gold.
Float it on your breath.

I give you my heart,
nerve-raw,
blood-flushed.
Clutch it to your breast.
Feel it pulse.

Here’s my soul,
a web of my being.
Wrap it round your neck.
Keep the tension right.

Here’s my life.
Bind it to your body.
Bear the weight.

You’re the keeper now
of my hopes,
my dreams,
ambitions,
emotions,
future.

Hold out your arms.
Take the load.

Now hold out your finger.
Take the gold.

Ode To A Pint Of Boddingtons

Oh, honey-hued glass
Of Irwell’s finest draught
Let me feel your weight in my hand.

Fresh,
Newly pourn,
You take the shape of your vessel
And gloriously cover yourself
With a soft, foaming crown.

My lowering lips penetrate your creamed whiteness
And release your bitter-sweet golden flow
Between my lips,
Into my mouth
And down over my tongue.

I lay you down.
Your head is broken,
The glass is stained,
Your perfection gone.

Never again will I hold your full, pure, untouched form in my hand.
Never again will I have that first, forbidden thrill
And never again will I taste your pure, hidden love.

Until the hand on the pump
Fills the glass again.

ha ha ... Lynne

xx Cats are old now, No chance

Plan C? LOL (is anyone here having trouble logging on tonight?)

Brilliant - Reminds me of my sons x

Lynne

[quote=mr. mustard;70548116]Thanks Lynne, it's nice when a poem re-kindles good memories I read more fact than fiction, but Daphne DuMaurier is far and away my favourite novelist. Don't Look Back has one of the most terrifying endings in cinema and it doesn't seem like DuMaurier's work. But she had a very dark side, as The Birds and Rebecca testify. I couldn't put down Jamaica Inn and The House On The Strand is fascinating too, as it involves time travel. Her imagery has inspired me to make poems on Cornwall more dramatic.

Thank you for informing me about the other books which I have not read. Tomorrow I shall search the Book Depository to see if they are available.

It is the very first sentence that draws the reader in, isn't it.

My Husband , myself and children visited Jamaica Inn in the 1980's. It was lovely to see where she had written, though I cannot remember which book. Was it Jamaica Inn?

( ha ha.- Of course it was LOL) duh !


I'm glad you're putting some of the contributions here into a folder. As for the North Sea poem, I have one on the old BBC shipping forecast and I'll search my files for empty beaches. I'm sure I've done a few as I love them

Thank you.

Lynne (skyping with my daughter now as she is in America)
Last edited by lah1 : 01-01-2014 at 00:36

This is beautiful - I replied earlier on though the connection onto the site was not good.

Lynne x

Hi Biz The down side of 2013 for me was losing Frank and Archiver. Their poetry displayed completely different styles but I enjoyed both. Two voices that I miss.


Ta Sandy - it's a team effort but it's easy for me to post stuff, as I now have around 1000 poems up my sleeve

I liked your party popper The head barman tried to chuck everyone out, karaoke and all, just after midnight last night! Luckily, the landlady overruled him and did a duet of Pearl's A Singer and All That Jazz Who said Girl Power was dead?

I wish I could write like you Scottie, but I can't. The emotion in this is searing - if a confirmed singleton like me was moved by it, it must be strong. A masterful write, among your best work in my opinion.


Oh yes, I could almost taste the suds going down If only Keats and the Romantics had lightened up a bit, we might have had poems like this as well as their heavy side. I love the 'before and after' effect in this, with the glass being full then empty. Thanks for kicking off 2014 with pure talent Scottie

When I went there you could see a massive block of grey weather riding in across Bodmin Moor. It truly is an atmospheric place. Nearby is Dozmary Pool where the Lady of the Lake was said to have caught the sword.

I forgot to mention My Cousin Rachel, which is a haunting Daphne Dumaurier book with dark shades of Rebecca.