Mirror Mind… The Competition Winners

Reflections on Memories in Poetry

Many thanks to everyone who entered the poetry competition published in the previous Parishioner Magazine. We had some wonderful entries and were only sad not to be able to include them all in the new collection.  We also want to thank everyone who came to the poetry evening, and donated for books, to help fund The Chapel Project. Huge congratulations to our Poetry Competition winners, Kit Vessey and Michael D Rose who won 1st and 2nd prizes. Here are their poems for you to enjoy (published with kind permission, copyright is retained by the authors).

Geography

Palatial

ice giant

a white tongue on the landscape,

you skirr somnolently through hillsides

on a ballet of debris –

a geological pencil-sharpener.

Your blistered surface               is a mirror maze,

infested with the hammer-blow entertainments

of a travelling fair,

a cavernous lure, driving sunlight

deep into the churning score 

of your battleship-sleep.

By Michael D Rose  ©2021

Mirror Mind– 2nd Prize Winner

The Day I Lost My Memory

The day I lost my memory

Was a Wednesday

I think.

I put her down

Absentmindedly

On the kitchen counter,

Turned distractedly from

The kettle

To watch the dust motes

Sparkle in a shaft of daylight.

I did not miss her

Initially.

My mind twinkled with

Images of light darting on

The eiderdown which

Lay over heavy blankets forming

A counterpane land of

My childhood frailty…

Weak legs

Strong mind

Strong legs

Weak mind.

I have heard it said that

Those who lose their memory

Often keep their physical prowess.

A whistle blew.

I turned back

And wondered about the nature of the

Here and Now.

The There and Then.

The pain of loss

Is a burden

I pass on to another being.

I left something,

Someone

Here

Before the daylight struck.

But I can’t remember

Who she was.

By Kit Vessey  © 2021

Mirror Mind  – 1st prize   winner

It’s no too late! If you would like a copy of the Mirror Mind collection, contact Alex our Project Manager on 07730 609446 or ashvalechapel@gmail.com. Suggested donation £5 each, in aid of the Chapel Project, to help us keep everything running.

If you love writing poetry, why not join in? The next Poetry workshop is on Friday 13th August 7:30pm on Zoom. #Hospitality #Creativity #Worship Text 07730 609446 for details.

Poetry Competition – Mirror Mind

Reflections on memories in poetry

The Chapel Poetry Group invites you to get creative and submit poems reflecting on your memories. All the winning poems will be published in our 2021 poetry collection “Mirror Mind”, and celebrated at a launch event either in person or online, as covid regulations permit.

First Prize for our overall winner is a £30 book voucher, and all winners whose poems are published will receive an author’s copy of the collection with your poem in it. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate local poets and explore treasured memories.

Everyone is welcome to participate, whether you are an established poet or a beginner, young or old. The important thing is, you must write about your own memories and experiences. Here’s how to enter:

Submit your poems by email to: ashvalechapel@gmail.com 

Continue reading “Poetry Competition – Mirror Mind”

Poetry Corner

Memory Marks

Laughter dances with pollen,

Creaks’ crescendos unheard.

Feathers fly.

Stored energy surges.

All that is home watches.

Then Silence.

Popping, a paper bag inflates,

Mother of pillow fights done.

My son’s Asthma abates.

The tree deteriorates.

Cotton white daisies delight.

Then silence.

Ripping bares my chubby legs.

Roots display their hidden mane.

My dress was darned.

The rented house intact.

Seat belts clicked.

Then silence.

Spinning wildly in the sun.

Driving home on scorching seats.

I outgrew my party dress.

My Mum sold her old Cortina.

New Jeans made climbing easy.

Then silence.

Racing up to the seagulls.

Dad’s last jumper warmed.

The Helter-Skelter, candy striped.

Harlequin’s knit, ruby bright.

Coconut mats dirty, scratchy.

Then silence.

Pushing off first-time fear.

Racing to Grandma’s Terrace.

Exhilaration confidence builds.

Her cobble lane history rubs.

Swatches of memory unseen move.

Then life.

By PCD Roberts

Thought for Today

Do you mean what you say when you praise my name?

Is it only fine words, is it all just a game?

When you say all your thanks —does it come from the heart?

Do you really mean it, or maybe just one part?

Think on these things—that My love for you

Is all embracing, is completely true.

I love to hear you singing—a love song to my ears

That also helps to lift you through the oncoming years.

Are the words that you sing for my ears alone?

Do you mean what you say, whatever the tone?

A song from your heart is what gladdens my own

What raises us all up—a place near my throne.

Join in with the crowd, you’re all friends of mine.

Come join with the angels— O chorus sublime.

By BMS

Enjoy these wonderful poems with a cuppa, and why not send us your own? The copy deadline for our June/July edition is 7th May 2021 parishioner@ash-vale.org.uk