My (current) ten favourite poems for World Poetry Day 2016:
- “Don’t make me fall in love again…” by Nan Witcomb © 1979, from ‘Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow, The Thoughts of Nanushka, Vol I – VI’. I discovered Nan in the early 80’s when I needed to find solace in words and simply beautiful illustrations. Soaked with romance, this poem resonated – seemed to speak from my own heart.
- “The Dolly on the Dustcart” by Pam Ayres © I’ve loved this poem since I first read it, even before I watched her perform it at the Perth Concert Hall in the early 90’s. It was hard to choose just one of her poems (I have a few of her books) this one makes me smile with its many layers.
- “Fascination Waltz” by T.A.G. Hungerford © 2005 p. 223, ‘Whatever Happened to Joseph’, 1st pub by Jacobyte Books. Tom most graciously allowed me to spend an afternoon with him, talking about his writing while a full Pages Cafe/Poets Corner audience listened to him reading his wonderful words. He told us about this being his wife’s favourite, so Kevin Gillam kindly played the song on his double bass for Tom – I know he was touched.
- “Honey” by Gerry Murphy © 2002 P. 14, ‘Torso of an Ex-Girlfriend’, Dedalus Press. I met Gerry whilst attending workshops at Munster Literature Centre in Cork, Ireland and instantly connected with his searingly honest, concise poetry. No fluff. 🙂
- “As Autumn Leaves” by Bee © 2014 on ABC Tales. Such a close examination of feelings and beauty – micro writing, which like many well-woven words, has stayed with me.
- “Making Tracks” by Gregory O’Donohue © 2001, p.59, ‘Making Tracks’, Dedalus Press. This man was an absolute inspiration. He read and considered my work with great experience and knowledge, so every critique was harsh but helpful. This poem is sad but then, he often seemed to be…
- “Wounded Leopard” by Harry Farrell © 1968 from ‘Copper Dust & Other Gleamings’, self-published in Northern Rhodesia. I met Harry in Africa in 1971 and tried to buy a copy of his book but he had sold all he’d printed. So he lent me one to copy, for my own enjoyment. I still have and treasure the original, typed on an old Olivetti. Africa comes alive for me, through his poetry.
- “Fifth of November” by Esther Morgan © 2001, from ‘Beyond Calling Distance’, Bloodaxe Books. Glen Phillips introduced Esther to my class at Edith Cowan University and I’ve been a fan ever since. She was good enough to edit a series of poems I wrote in Ireland, while based at UEA and editor of ‘Reactions’ New Poetry; three journals of which I still read.
- “Just for Raema” by Glen Phillips, © 2005. This poem was sent to me privately. It spoke to my heart of pain and loss – but never ’emptiness’.
- “No Bowl Of Cherries” by Silver Spun Sand a.k.a. Christine Ann Chatworthy © 2012 on ABC Tales. Seems a very suitable poem to end this list on… all about life and the cherries thrown at us.
I can’t believe how difficult it was to list just 10 favourite poems, I know there are so many more!
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