Category: Poetry

#1112 theoldmortuary ponders.

On By theoldmortuary.designIn Poetry2 Comments

The book club I belong to is many things. Most definitely a meeting of minds. Our WhatsApp group bubbles with random thoughts that we share in between our monthly gatherings.

Yesterday an absolute gem of a poem was shared.

If Adam Picked the Apple by Danielle Coffyn.

There would be a parade,

a celebration,

a holiday to commemorate

the day he sought enlightenment.

We would not speak of

temptation by the devil, rather,

we would laud Adam’s curiosity,

his desire for adventure

and knowing.

We would feast

on apple-inspired fare:

tortes, chutneys, pancakes, pies.

There would be plays and songs

reenacting his courage.

 

But it was Eve who grew bored,

weary of her captivity in Eden.

And a woman’s desire

for freedom is rarely a cause

for celebration.

The Creation Myth was never high up on my Believable Stories List.

The practicality of attaching a leaf to anyone’s genitals for modesty was the first reality check.

In consequence I have never given the story much thought.

But what if the story was flipped?

So much to ponder.

Gathered Apples ©theoldmortuary

 

Pandemic Pondering #151

On By theoldmortuary.designIn PoetryLeave a comment

Wave is the prompt word of the Art Group. It would be easy living, as I do, close to the sea to share pictures of lapping waves. But today the word Wave gives me a direct link with our other home zone, Lambeth, London.

Not Waving but Drowning is a poem I loved as a teenager. Filed in my mind but not actually reread until today. I find it’s exquisite accuracy even more moving with a perspective altered by many years of adulthood, and the growing understanding of the fragility of young male mental health.

It is the most famous of Stevie Smith’s poems,published in 1957, it addresses death, as much of her work does, without sentiment.

And so on to the Lambeth connection.

Not Waving but Drowning is the second album by Loyle Carner a Lambeth born Hip-Hop artist. I’m not sure I’ve worked out why the album shares its name with Smith’s poem but Loyle is an Ambassador for CALM which is a charity working to support mens mental health. Hip Hop might not be your thing but Carners lyrics are as sharply accurate as Smith’s poetry.
https://www.thecalmzone.net/

Both the poetry of Smith and the lyrics of Loyle Carner use words to create a wave of emotion

I am in awe of their ability. I hope you are inspired to read more Smith and listen to Loyle Carner. Follow this link.
https://g.co/kgs/ZS9raZ

Not Waving, but drowning is the inspiration for this painting #mensmentalhealthawarenes

Not all creative ideas go to plan.

I wanted to push this image into a less figurative work. Unlike poetry or music some things are not great when reproduced. This print only really works if you can see it.

Man overwhelmed @theoldmortuary

Loyle Carner on Table Manners Podcast.
https://castbox.fm/x/x4nU