Poetry
“..to capture something a photo could never do justice…”
I talk about how an ending became a beginning on my Home page, and here with a tribute to my wonderful Grandma. Initially, poetry was an outlet for me as a teenager. I still have reams of paper and pads devoted to the occasional rhyme (or hastily written dream experienced). After adult life, i.e. responsibilities and other more pressing paperwork took over (far less interesting too), I neglected this important expression of being. And it really is important, if only to keep the grey matter ticking over, if not pondering on life’s purpose.
In 2021, poetry once again became a significant outlet for me. I was asked to read a poem as a eulogy which helped to process and express my family’s grief, celebrate my Grandma and all that she was, and to capture something a photo could never do justice. A snippet of a conversation, a mannerism, a lesson, a feeling even. It took at least a hundred attempts to read it without crying.
“…I didn’t realise…not everyone finds it easy to write poetry…”
So much can be understood from a few words. And when spoken, the amplification of all of that comprehension can provide even further insight. With projects like this one, which marks 50 years since a dictator sentenced over 80 thousand people to their death if they refused to leave their homes, it’s clear to see that poetry can move you and facilitate feelings of being understood, which may even be cathartic and healing for a whole generation. I certainly felt moved when researching about everything that happened. Poetry can be expressive of pain, pleasure, loss and love. One thing I underappreciated though, was that poetry isn’t something that comes to all people naturally.
What I didn’t realise is that, apparently, not everyone finds it easy to write poetry, as I began to understand from various comments and compliments – which I initially interpreted as mere politeness or friendliness. I soon recognised that I could actually offer something unique and special to others. What a revelation! Of course, this recognition came as a result of several events in sequence – sadly beginning with an ending, as most new starts do.
In contrast to my Grandma’s funeraI, the following day heralded a friend’s 50th-slash-engagement party. To our surprise, this became the most spectacular and beautiful wedding, mixing Māori ceremony with British comradery! Those that wished to say something were given an hour to produce speeches for the happy couple. I quickly created a poem you can find here, to mark the occasion.
At this same event, we were reunited with some fellow festival friends, who had pointed out my ‘lovely voice’ during a tremendously memorable festival.
We recalled that after we were ushered into a friend’s nearby campsite, during rain that could only be described as ‘biblical’, a midday festival cancellation had been enforced…
A few hours later, I was singing Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good’, whilst our growing gathering became an unexpected, fantastically colourful, musical and magical bell tent party!
To be reunited with those colourful humans at an equally memorable surprise wedding was an absolute honour.
To channel my newly re-discovered inner poet and voice over talent, I wanted to launch with as much energy and expertise as I could muster. So, I reached out to a number of experts to help me on my way.
One of whom is a life coach, Tommy Ludgate, who really made me question the inner critic and make time for myself – and helped me work out the next steps along my journey.
The second, Elroy Powell, is a singer, film actor, voice over actor, and founder of a voice talent agency. Elroy, AKA ‘Spoon’ inspires me to be the best professional version of myself.
Having recently launched a mindfulness and awareness app, through which he soothes people with his deeply dulcet tones, it’s easy to feel motivated by his success.
In communication with Spoon, he encouraged me to ‘just get going’ and part of our exchange included some poetry – check it out here.
“…my gratitude to those who’ve kept my flame lit…”
These events, as contrasting as they were, and people’s comments gathered momentum. And so did my poetic expressions, which I now continue to thoroughly enjoy creating.
I am grateful to my partner for having faith in me, my family for supporting me, my friends for raising me up and allowing me to lean on them for brand development, and for every one of those people I met along the way who saw something in me and told me so.
This website stands to express my gratitude to those who’ve kept my flame lit, and polished the glass to help it glow that much brighter.
Here’s to brightening your lives in return.