- Published on
By Geoff Ellis
JUST find your spot and start talking … it’s not like school, you don’t have to stand up straight and recite. The aim of our poetry group is to create a safe space in which to discuss, write and share poetry. If you like, someone else can read your pieces. Your presence is the most important contribution.
Read a Poem Aloud (RAPA) Day was initially the first Monday of each month at the Wonthaggi Library. Due to popular demand, every day is now a RAPA day. Some poets requested a focused time slot, so we have decided to gather from 2pm to 3pm every Wednesday. We’re calling this hour “Poetry Therapy”. Everyone is welcome.
Poetry therapy? People can’t always say what they mean. It can be tough to express thoughts and fears lest you be judged.
JUST find your spot and start talking … it’s not like school, you don’t have to stand up straight and recite. The aim of our poetry group is to create a safe space in which to discuss, write and share poetry. If you like, someone else can read your pieces. Your presence is the most important contribution.
Read a Poem Aloud (RAPA) Day was initially the first Monday of each month at the Wonthaggi Library. Due to popular demand, every day is now a RAPA day. Some poets requested a focused time slot, so we have decided to gather from 2pm to 3pm every Wednesday. We’re calling this hour “Poetry Therapy”. Everyone is welcome.
Poetry therapy? People can’t always say what they mean. It can be tough to express thoughts and fears lest you be judged.
Poetry isn’t a quick fix but benefit comes from hearing yourself as you test the words that could portray your vision and evaluate your own thinking. If you express yourself through poetry your thoughts will be appreciated. This is the source of the expression poetic licence.
Few poems change the outside world, but they can change your inner world. In doing so they transform the world for you. And a transformed you can make the world a better place.
Poetry can sometimes seem densely layered, complex or just too hard. It’s not difficult. We will discuss tips on how to write poetry and if requested may work collaboratively. We can have discussions that analyse poems and poets.
Auden wrote that “Poetry makes nothing happen” as part of an elegy for a famous poet. Perhaps Auden was a typical poet, deliberately confusing things but he’s certainly a conversation starter.
Another conversation starter: favourite poets or poem? Here are some that were nominated via a very ad hoc survey:
The Death of the Bird by A D Hope
The Flea by John Donne
Everybody Knows by Leonard Cohen
Second Class Wait Here by Henry Lawson
Moonlight by Vikram Seth
Perfect Day by Lou Reed
Who would you add?
Poetry Therapy. Poet’s Corner in the Wonthaggi Principal Library, 2pm to 3pm every Wednesday. Give poetry a try with us. Everyone is welcome.
Few poems change the outside world, but they can change your inner world. In doing so they transform the world for you. And a transformed you can make the world a better place.
Poetry can sometimes seem densely layered, complex or just too hard. It’s not difficult. We will discuss tips on how to write poetry and if requested may work collaboratively. We can have discussions that analyse poems and poets.
Auden wrote that “Poetry makes nothing happen” as part of an elegy for a famous poet. Perhaps Auden was a typical poet, deliberately confusing things but he’s certainly a conversation starter.
Another conversation starter: favourite poets or poem? Here are some that were nominated via a very ad hoc survey:
The Death of the Bird by A D Hope
The Flea by John Donne
Everybody Knows by Leonard Cohen
Second Class Wait Here by Henry Lawson
Moonlight by Vikram Seth
Perfect Day by Lou Reed
Who would you add?
Poetry Therapy. Poet’s Corner in the Wonthaggi Principal Library, 2pm to 3pm every Wednesday. Give poetry a try with us. Everyone is welcome.
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people’s gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practise a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.