Engaging in some lyrical athletics whilst painting pictures with words and pounding the pavement. I run; blog; write poetry; chase after my kids & drink coffee.
Written especially for Mother’s Day and in celebration of motherhood. To all the wonderful mothers our there, thank you! 🙏😊😁🤗
Motherhood…
A divine thing
A sacred glue
A sacrifice made
A hardship endured
An unspoken bond
A fierce devotion
A pride untold
A love unrivalled
A well of forgiveness
A pillar of strength
A badge of honour
A wisdom gained
A lifetime lived
“My feeling is that poetry will wither on the vine if you don’t regularly come back to the simplest fundamentals of the poem: rhythm, rhyme, simple subjects – love, death, war.”
Good afternoon folks! How are ye all doing? Welcome back to my regular Poetry Quotes Blog where we take a look at some favourite poetry quotes of mine; break them down; reflect on them & apply the lessons learned to our lives as poets and readers alike. 🙏😁
This week we’re going back to the basics of poetry by shining a ray of light on it’s fundamentals & discussing the truths that only poetry can expose. What are poetry’s fundamentals you may be asking? And how do we reveal those realities?
The craft of writing poetry and how we share it with the world has evolved enormously over the decades, particularly in recent years. With a lot of poets moving away from (What they believe to be) the constrictions of rhyme to a more free verse; earthy prose style of composing poems and I for one welcome that. I myself have experimented with that form a lot recently in my poetry prompt responses as anybody who follows my blog will bear witness. A big deal for a person who set up a group called The Tullamore Rhymers Club and wouldn’t deviate from it for a long time!
However, there’s something hypnotic about a rhyming poem in full flow isn’t there?! When the rhymes fit perfectly seeming natural; logical and unforced, not just put in for the sake of it. There’s a wonderful rhythm to it that’s impossible to ignore or resist. It sort of sucks you in and takes you on a journey that feels like an exhilarating literary; open top train ride or a heartbreaking descent into literary despair.
Whether the poet is talking about love; war; death or politics, the fundamentals of rhythm and rhyme can take something very ordinary, disinteresting & mundane and transform it into something alive; honest and real. That’s what a ray of poetry can do for the reader better than any other form of writing, Illuminate and shine a light upon the reader’s reality or the reality of what’s going on around them. That might not always be comfortable or welcome but that’s what light does! That’s what poetry does! 👍😁
Afternoon folks! Hope you are all having a lovely weekend! 🤞🙏😁 Welcome back to my weekly Blog Recap with links to all the blogs I posted during the previous week. 😀 It was a busy week so let’s get cracking. 🙏
First up, on Monday, I posted my 1st motivational running quote for ye guys reminding us that running can expand our day. The link is here: https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2022/08/29/morning-run-expanding-your-day/?preview=true
Later in the day I shared my Blog Goals for the Week Ahead where I set out my blog schedule and creative goals for the coming week. Here’s the link: https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2022/08/29/blog-goals-for-the-week-ahead-part-48/?preview=true
On Tuesday, I published my first poem of the week titled MOODY MARE; PRETTY PONIES inspired by Sadje’s weekly #WDYS #WhatDoYouSee Poetry Prompt. The link is below: https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2022/08/30/sadjes-wdys-whatdoyousee-poetryprompt-149/?preview=true
Then on Wednesday I published the 1st part of my insightful interview with the daring & fascinating Mr. Bogdan Dragos. You’ll find the link to it here: https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2022/08/31/brilliant-blogger-poet-interview-provocative-daydreaming-with-bogdan-dragos-part-1/?preview=true
This was followed up by my 2nd Running quote of the week showing us that running helps us appreciate life’s choices. Here’s the link: https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2022/08/31/running-appreciating-lifes-choices/?preview=true
On Thursday, I published my 2nd poem of the week titled: MAKE A CHOICE; RAISE YOUR VOICE inspired my d’Verse’s Poetics Prompt encouraging us to compose a poem on the subject of choices. The link to it is below: https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2022/09/01/make-a-choice-raise-your-voice-dverse-poetics-prompt-choices/?preview=true
Then on Friday, I posted my 3rd motivational running quote for ye. Here’s the link: https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2022/09/02/running-waking-up-before-the-sun/?preview=true
This was followed up later in the day by a reflection on a wonderful poetic quote by the late; great Mr. Robin Williams well rather by one of his greatest characters: John Keating in “Dead Poet’s Society”. The link to it is here: https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2022/09/02/poetry-the-passionate-beauty-of-the-human-race/?preview=true
On Saturday I shared my 3rd poem of the week: MAPPED OUT for REENA’S XPLORATION CHALLENGE. I had originally written it back in April for a Poetry Day Ireland event. The link is below: https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2022/09/03/mapped-out-reenas-xploration-challenge-246/?preview=true
My blogging week was rounded off by my final running quote of the week reminding us that running is all about nature and not spectators. You’ll find the link to it below: https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2022/09/03/running-with-nature-not-a-spectator-sport/?preview=true
That’s all for this week folks! 👍Thanks once more for indulging me and reading to the end. 🙏😊 It’s much appreciated! 😁 Until next Sunday, mind yourselves, stay creative and take care. 🤞
“ We don’t read and write Poetry because it’s cute.
we read and write poetry because we are members of the human race.
and the human race is filled with passion.
So medicine, law, business, engineering…these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. but poetry, beauty, romance, love… these are what we stay alive for.”
JOHN KEATING (ROBIN WILLIAMS)
Morning folks! How are ye all doing today? I came across this wonderful quote posted by a connection of mine on LinkedIn a few days back. And I couldn’t pass it up!
1. Because it came from the big heart & deep mind of the late; great actor & comedian: Mr. Robin Williams. His character in “DEAD POET’S SOCIETY”: John Keating inspired a group of young English students with his lofty and passionate endorsement of words & poetry. “Oh Captain, my Captain.”
2. Because it speaks my language: the language of poetry & love and their innate humanity and passion. It stirs the soul; comforts the heart; challenges the mind all the while igniting promise for a better tomorrow. We don’t write poetry because it’s cute but because it gives tremendous purpose to our lives and allows us to express ourselves
! 😁👍 It’s what gets us bards & wordsmiths up in the morning.
3. It doesn’t replace; undermine or diminish the everyday pursuits and jobs we must do to put food on the table and pay the bills. They all have their place. In fact poetry gives meaning to said jobs and pursuits, makes them more bearable & tolerable because we can turn to it at anytime to find beauty; hope & solace.
That’s all my wisdom and reflection for this week folks! 👍 Thanks so much for stopping by and reading this. Hope it helps inspire you personally and creatively to live a more passionate and poetic life! 🤞🙏😁Until next Friday mind yourselves and take care.
“For the visually challenged reader, this image shows an easel covered in white paper. Two hands are emerging out of the easel, the right one holding a posy of roses.”
I was going to publish this tomorrow but I thought I’d switch things up a bit as I’ve nothing ready for d’Verse just yet! So here goes:
LOVE ON A BLANK CANVAS
They say you can “paint a picture with a thousand words”
Never did I imagine though
That you could actually
paint a person into existence!
Hands reaching out to me
Through the blank paper
From the other side
With roses and reasons
Beckoning me to draw closer
And come with them
Into the realm of the created
Instead of the creator
Reluctantly I did so
(Is this really happening?)
This was more than a person
This was a chance for love
Love On A Blank Canvas
Invitation to start afresh
If you’d like to participate in the prompt then you can access it through the following link: https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2022/08/01/what-do-you-see-145-august-1-2022/
Morning folks! 👋 Welcome to THESE WORDS (They’d Say), my latest poetic offering inspired by my recent 2 week blogging break. Hope you enjoy reading it! 🤞🙏😁
This hesitancy
That has taken residency
Within the fibres of my being
Leaving the things
I desperately want to say
Caught in a thicket of weeds
Strangling the life out of them
Cutting off the blood supply
Of verbal confidence
Doesn’t make any sense
When I’ve the capability
And lyrical mobility
To produce rhymes of beauty
Raw honesty
And unhindered eloquence
Deeply profound
How have I not found?
The same freedom
And authenticity
To calm this maelstrom
Of nervous eccentricity
However,
If all the thoughts in my head
And the expressions on my face
All the yearnings of my heart
Took the form of spoken words,
Laying in wait patiently
Neath the surface of my tongue.
This is what they’d say
They’d say:
“I love you more than words can say.”
They’d say:
“Be patient, the words are on their way.”
They’d say:
Reach out your arms & squeeze those blues away.”
They’d say:
“Forgive me for all my mistakes.”
They’d say a lot of things.
They’d laugh & sing
They’d cry and sting
They’d spread their wings
And fly.
They’d ascend boldly to the top
Irregardless of the drop
They’d dive right in
Without stopping to think
They’d stand on the front lines
Without fear of stepping on land mines
They’d speak the truth
Shoot from the hip
They’d be astute
Not give any lip
They’d comfort
And console
Lay bare
The unexplored
Terrain of my soul
For the visually challenged reader, the image above shows a person making some notes on a piece of paper, placed on top of some sheet music.
MUSICAL LOVE NOTES
Musical love notes
Trying to compose…
Myself
Placing my hand on the paper
To steady it
I look for the envelope
Where I already wrote
Your place of abode
As I seek to address
My feelings for you
Through song
As I seek to confess
My love for you
Which grows strong
Despite the distance
And your insistence
That we don’t meet
Yet.
I start to fret
And pray it’s not unrequited
That you will not fight it
That these musical chords
And ink stained words
(It’s all I can afford)
Will tie us closer together
Across the ocean
Stamped with a lyrical potion.
And all my devotion
Hopeful of a melodic reply
Not another reason why
Our song will fall flat
That our notes are whole
Sharp and in tune
And all that.
You’d come to expect
From musical love notes
And the emotion they reflect.
If you’d like to participate in the prompt then you can access it through the following link:
https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2022/07/18/what-do-you-see-143-july-18-2022/
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Romance isn’t dead
It’s being renewed
It’s lying in bed
Waiting for you
It will be incred-
ible if you stay true
To yourself
You’ve nothing to prove
Nobody ever said
It’d be easy boo
It’s broken & bled
Battered & bruised
But instead
Of giving up dude,
You’ve gotta shed
Your ego & be cool
Carefully thread
Where you go too
No need to dread
Wallow or brood
You’re born and bred
For love, so be shrewd
My friend. It’s inbred:
This yearning for you
To be loved. Has led
Down paths you rue
So much time has sped
By. You’re no prude.
It’s just the loneliness
That you’ve accrued
Leaves you
Reluctant to wed
Yet astute
No so easily led
As in your youth
Not so easily read
In truth
All the rest
Haven’t got a clue
Let’s take a breath
Alter your view
Don’t wait till death
Takes a hold of you
Full of regret
Stuck like glue
To yest-
days news
Time you let
Go. It’s overdue
It’s not yet
Time to stew
In neglect
Of something beau-
tiful. Forget
The past.
You’ve outgrew
It. No threat
To you
No secret
Either.
What you need to do
Romance isn’t dead
Romance isn’t new
Just hop on the jet
You’ve nothing to lose
No blog goals for the week this week folks as I’ve a few poems to share with you today on Valentine’s Day. ❤️🌹💖Kicking off we have the long awaited and worked upon piece called LOVE IS… Hope ye enjoy it! 🙏🤞😁
Love is patient
Yes.
Love takes time
Love is
A conversation
Enshrined
An attribute
Of the divine
Love is hopeful
Love is kind
Is not an invitation
To be blind.
Love sees your flaws
And rewinds
Still chooses
To be intertwined
Love is painful
Love is sublime
Love is
Surrendering control
With your heart
And your soul
Love comforts
And consoles
Encourages
And cajoles
Love is more than just a word
An abstract concept
A romantic notion
An indulgence in the absurd
A noble ideal to aspire to
Or an event that occurred
Nor is it the grand gestures
The public declarations
Of undying affection
Love is acceptance
Love is rejection
Love is heartbreak
And introspection
Love..
is sometimes
A change of direction
Love is
Taking a chance
Throwing the dice
A bit of romance
Mixed in with some spice
Changing your stance
A little sacrifice
Love
is all the things you can’t see.
All the things we fail to
Yet try to be
The little things.
The everyday things
The jobs you hate to do
But do all the same
Love can set you free
Love is getting up earlier
Going to bed later
Love is all the things you do
Rather than say.
Without making it known
Love is trying to prove
Your affection everyday
When you are prone
To taking them for granted
Love is
Never being alone
Love
Never condones
Tries it’s best
To atone
Works itself
To the bone
To make a house
A home
Love is messy
And tough
Love
On its own
Is never enough
As love always
Puts in the work
Love is losing your way
And finding your way back
When you got stuck
Because someone prayed
For what you lacked
Someone stayed put
Till you got back on track
Love is a silent embrace
When words won’t suffice
Love is biting your tongue
Instead of starting a fight
Love is getting up
In the middle of the night
Cleaning up the sick
Not baulking at the sight
Admitting you’re wrong
When you think you’re right
It is staying put
When you want to take flight
Love is making mistakes
Getting up and going again
Love is picking up the pieces
Pushing through the pain
Of a broken heart
And carrying on
Without complaint
Going back to the start
Love is….
Anger,
Hurt,
Grief & heartache
Joy
Elation
Feeling safe
And everything else in between
We only feel these emotions
Because of love
Unconditional
All powerful
Transformative
Love!
An unusual marriage
Of anxiety and peace
That over time
Can in or de-crease
Time to iron them out
Love never retreats
Never wallows in defeat
Love
Makes you complete.
I know, I know folks. I’m annoying ye now! 😛😂 Just wanted to mention a slight change in plans.
I know that my mam’s anniversary is on Valentine’s Day. But given that her anniversary Mass is actually on Saturday and I don’t want to be getting all mournful and sombre on Valentine’s, I decided to make Saturday all about the lady herself and Monday/Valentine’s all positive; love centred & upbeat with 2 new pieces called “Love Is…” and “Valentine’s Grey”
So on Saturday I’ll share with you my poem: “Freeze Time” which I wrote over a month after her passing; a reflection on her life in “Beacon of Light” and a poem my mam penned 11 years ago titled “Side by Side” which I think is pretty apt for friendships and couples sharing life’s journey together.
Poetry and Prose of Ken Hume 