Autumn Leaves

This year has for many been a difficult one for so many of us.  I personally have found myself drawing comfort from the beauty of nature as the seasons have changed. It is the one thing that has remained constant through all the uncertainty and misery we are facing as a result of the pandemic. 

All of the poetry in this post has been inspired by the beautiful colours of autumn and I am once again delighted to join forces with my friend and gifted poet Joe Praks, who I know has even more of an appreciation of the gifts Mother Nature bestows upon us than I do.

I hope the verses will add a little sunshine to your day.

Gracefully floating like butterflies

In shades of pink and green,

The autumn leaves are the stars of the show

As they wave goodbye to the trees.

They soar and swirl, drawing patterns

In the misty October air,

Leaving silhouettes of trees,

A mesh of branches so bare.

They gently demand attention

From all who cross their path,

Touching, caressing, they make their mark

On a carpet of dew soaked grass.

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The crushed rose

Lays down her crumpled head

On a blanket of grass so green,

Her sweet heart

Yearns for faraway days

When she danced

In the warm summer breeze.

Through dew soaked curves

She remembers his smile,

Now enshrouded in golden mist,

The stars are waiting

To carry her home

Through the warmth

Of a fuchsia's kiss.

The next three poems are by Joe Praks. If you would like to connect with him on Twitter and read more of his poetry he can be found here or on Instagram here.

Autumnal beauty

Caressing my senses

My soul is wide open

I let love in

Breathing out my worries

Dreaming of your eyes

Your smile

I wish not to wake up

My heart just dances.

Autumnal colours

And dreaming of you

A wee walk

And back to my dream

It's my plan for today

It's all I'm going to do.

Golden autumnal morning

Wearing her colours proudly

True colours of this fall,

I'm walking alone, my deserted street

Dead leaves sounding under my feet,

I'm walking towards my dream as

It's my next goal.

Am I afraid if I'm not to wake up?

Absolutely not at all.

The tide is rolling away from me,

Water slipping through my hands,

Leaving clusters of unturned stones

And footprints in the sand.

Blue sky dissolves into floating clouds,

Words we never got to say

Sail away like an autumn leaf

Carried by a distant wave.

I pull back curtains

Of autumn leaves

To reveal

A shimmering lake,

I jump aboard

A boat of reeds

To take me to

A faraway place

When October shone

Like a pot of gold

And nothing

Obscured my view,

And through the curtains

I watched dawn break

As I held out

My hand to you.

I would like to finish with something special. I first shared the poem below with my Twitter followers in September 2019 and I was delighted when one lady from Philadelphia commented to tell me she had enjoyed reading the poem to the point where it had  brought to mind a song she is particularly fond of. The song is called 'Tell Me A Tale' by the talented Michael Kiwanuka. I immediately listened to the song and I was overwhelmed at what a perfect match it is for my poem. Here is a link on You Tube. It has a lovely laid back, jazzy feel about it. Perfect for relaxing to.

Etchings of Autumn

Through a curtain of leaves

summer waves goodbye

as crayons of autumn

etch patterns in my mind.

Rich September palette,

red gold and green

place the brush in my hand,

help me set the scene.

Soft autumn breeze

inspire creativity,

place the pen in my hand

give my story to me.

© Jill Webb October 2020

Potpourri

Welcome to my latest poetry collection. 

To start on a high note, I was delighted when the poem below was selected as a runner up in a recent poetry competition organised by the over 50s digital community - Rest Less. When I read some of the other wonderful entries I was even more flattered that my poem had been chosen. Here is a link.

The inspiration behind this poem was my beautiful cat Cleopatra. However as a life long cat lover I believe the sentiments apply to all of our feline friends.

Feline

She winds then unwinds

With elegant ease,

Never drops her guard

Even in her sleep.

Her silky ears twitch,

In the blink of an eye,

Sweet sleep forgotten

She snaps into life.

Finely tuned senses,

The edge of attack,

With stealth and grace

She takes higher ground.

Through bristling fur

Her eyes are fixed

On things unseen by

A mere human being.

Within minutes she

Returns casually,

Leaps on my lap

Purring oh so softly,

My time starts now,

A game played by two,

But only she knows

And sets the rules.

I wrote the second poem for my Mum on her birthday. As we both share a love of lavender there was never any question about what the subject of the poem would be.

Lavender Dreams

A soft fragrant cloud

Floats before my eyes,

Painted butterflies dance

In the palm of my hand.

All background noise

Slowly fades into

A sensory field

I tiptoe through.

Lavender dreams

Drenched in purple mist,

Dry petals of bliss

Like a butterfly's kiss.

My earliest memory is of my Dad taking me on his bicycle to see what I now know is the smallest window in England. I think I must have only been around three years old at the time. The window is in an area of Hull's old town and is often mistaken for a slit in the wall. If you would like to know more about the history of the window here is an interesting article. 

I wrote the following poem on Father's Day this year in memory of my Dad.

The Smallest Window In The World

From the back seat of your bicycle

I hung on to your every word

When you told me one of your wonderful tales

About the smallest window in the world.

You carried me to the slit in the wall,

The picture you painted was clear,

I imagined two tiny figures

On the inside peeping at me.

You gave them names and voices,

Described the colour of their clothes,

I soaked up every detail

As I laughed at all their jokes.

And when it was time to go back home,

 I did not want to leave them behind,

As you pedalled the story continued

In my illuminated mind.

Imagination was the greatest gift

You could have ever given to me,

Every time I think of that window

Your laughter echoes through my tears.

I never cease to feel privileged the odd time I have been lucky enough to get up close and personal with one of our feathered friends. I was inspired to write the next poem after one such occasion.

The Flutter

I saw you perched

Beside the leaves,

Your sharp eyes 

Darting nervously. 

I approached you

Slowly, tentatively,

Warm anticipation

Washed over me.

You were close enough

For me to see

Your mottled breast

And hooked brown beak.

Hardly moving a muscle

In my face

I felt privileged

To be in your space.

I slowly extended

A trembling hand,

I must have taken

A step too far.

In the blink of an eye

You took to the sky,

One moment for ever

Engraved in my mind.

And to finish here is a selection of flower inspired poems.

Raindrops

Raindrops, 

Like teardrops,

Tiny mirrors

Of the soul.

Raindrops, 

So refreshing,

Life giving 

Tender rose.

Raindrops, 

Caressing,

Rejuvenating

Love. 

Raindrops,

Dissolving

In the early

Morning sun.

Honeysuckle Parade

Acrobatic hedgerow dancers

Doing cartwheels on the leaves,

Extrovert feathered birds

Spread your wings and fly with me.

When I stare into your spokes

I see enticing fairground wheels,

Calypso beats and pink flamingos,

Exotic carnival of dreams.

The Carnation

Beauty preserved

In a frame of glass, 

Ever present visions

Of memories past.

The night they met,

The touch of his hand,

Spotlights dancing, 

The warmth of his smile.

He presented her

With a single white flower,

It became a symbol

Of who they were.

So many years

Have ebbed and flowed,

Too many pale sunsets

Watched alone. 

Laughter mingles

With lonely tears

But there is one time

Her mind is still,

Through the silky scent

Of a fresh carnation,

She closes her eyes

As he pulls her to him.

© Jill Webb August 2020

Song Based Verses Part Two

Here is the second four of the eight poems I wrote giving my take on a number of different well known songs. The first four poems can be found here.

The songs featured in this entry cover a cross section of musical styles.  I hope you will enjoy reading. 

Song #5 - Call Me by Blondie

This 1980 thunderbolt of a tune is one of my favourite by Blondie. It has been covered many times across the last four decades and was the theme to the film 'American Gigolo'. 

The almost surreal lyrics of the song sparked my imagination into life and here is my take on it: 

Bells start ringing

Ruby red, emerald green

As your name ignites

My telephone screen.

I will paint a picture

In pastel shades,

Brush stroke blues

By a shimmering lake.

I will walk barefoot

Across dew-soaked grass

To harness the moment

And make it last.

I will walk over rocks

Worn down by waves,

Soak up words I longed

To hear you say.

I will dance underneath

A silver birch tree,

Feel your heart flutter

Just like the leaves.

I will light you a candle,

Embrace the heat

Flames of recognition

When our eyes meet.

Bells start ringing

Ruby red, emerald green

As your name ignites

My telephone screen.

Song #6 - Nobody's Diary by Yazoo

This song was released as a single in 1983 although it had been written by Alison Moyet several years earlier. I love the heartfelt nature of the lyrics and the emotional delivery Alison does so well.

Several weeks ago I heard this song on the radio for the first time in a long time. As I listened to the story Alison tells through her words I decided this was another candidate for a song based verse.

I can't believe

It has come to this,

Strings of unspoken words

Linger like a last kiss.

Precious memories,

Crisp, clean and concise

Of when hearts were soaring

Like eagles in flight.

Then innermost thoughts

In wiry black ink

Discoloured by time,

Crumpled days of the week.

Lonely teardrops fall,
Misty pools on the page,

Illegible thoughts,
Reflections of pain.

Broken words in a diary

Are all that remain,

The dying embers

Of once raging flames.

Song #7 - I Could Have Danced All Night 

This song features in the musical My Fair Lady, also turned into a film featuring Audrey Hepburn. Last year it was given a 21st century style makeover by Faultline featuring the vocals of JAKL. This version of the song was used as a backdrop for an Audi TV advert.

The very first time I heard it, for some reason it struck a chord deep inside me and every time I hear the song it provokes a deeply emotional response. A series of clear mental images were subsequently triggered leading to me writing the poem below.

If I hold out my hand

Would you dance with me?

Allow my heart to keep time

As we sweep across the floor.

Catch the light in our eyes

As they shine diamond bright,

Watch the background fade out

As we swirl around once more.

If I hold out my hand

Would you dance with me?

Grand pianos are playing

Somewhere in the distance

Like the tinkling backdrop

Of a black and white film,

Capturing the moment,

Silver dreams and romance.

If I hold out my hand

Would you dance with me?

Reach high, swoop low,

Step on paths we've never known,

Marvel at a mountain view,

Dive into the oceans blue,

Before the warmth of our smiles

Slowly carries us back home.

Song #8 - Kayleigh by Marillion

The contents of the poem are loosely based on Fish's wonderful poetic lyrics.

They met when they were eighteen

On a balmy July night,

In a misty teenage haze

It felt like love at first sight.

She was his ballerina

As she danced upon the grass,

They caressed under the moonlight,

Made each tender moment last.

She wore a purple bow

In her curly golden hair,

Tiny sparks of warm excitement

When his eyes met hers.

Blinded by young love

They ignored what others said,

They married two years later

Confetti scattered in their heads.

Neither of them really knew

When love disintegrated,

Fragments of what could have been

Like snow, evaporated.

Heads echoed with unspoken words,

Fear of the unknown,

Trembling fingers hovered

But never reached the phone.

Snowdrops bowed their graceful heads

And clouds eclipsed the stars,

Raindrops washed away their tears

But did not mend their broken hearts.

Thank you as always to everyone who takes the time to read my poetry. 

© Jill Webb June 2020

Song Based Verses Part One

Back in 1983 I decided to start a fanzine called Kindred Spirit, featuring an array of poetry and prose combined with music reviews and band interviews. It was an exciting time when DIY culture was at its strongest, and something I look back on fondly.

Three years ago I started a blog sharing the contents of my fanzines 21st century style. If you would like to know more, I invite you to take a look here.

This post is something of a trip down memory lane in that what I have done is combine music and poetry once more. I have written poems where I put my own spin on the lyrics of different well known songs. 

There are eight songs in total. Here are the first four. The next four will follow shortly.

Song #1 - Will You? By Hazel O'Connor

There is a little backstory behind this poem and it's rather incredible. I wrote the poem in a dream. As soon as I woke up I grabbed a pen and paper, wrote down the poem then expanded on it. As I read back over the completed poem it occurred to me it could be an alternative version of the story told by the multi-talented singer/actress Hazel O'Connor in her classic 1981 hit.

The song 'Will You?' featured in the film 'Breaking Glass' and reached #8 in the UK charts in 1981. It is probably best remembered for its stirring saxophone solo and incredibly moving lyrics.

Here is my take on the song:

I had a dream

About you last night,

It seemed like you

Were part of my life.

You sat in a chair

With the kind of ease

Reserved only for

Those you hold dear.

I left the room

To make us a drink,

I caught your eye,

You started to slip.

As I swirled the spoon

In your milky tea

I was swept away

On a sea of unease.

When I returned

You had disappeared,

Your chair was still warm,

I stroked the seat.

And that was when

I opened my eyes,

Through darkness and tears

I whispered goodbye.

Song #2 - Fire Dances by Killing Joke
 
One of the highlights of my fanzine writing days was when we interviewed Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke in December 1983 around the time their fourth studio album 'Fire Dances' was released. 

Jaz is a very interesting character and as a result of speaking to him I tuned into his frequency and viewed the sentiments behind the album in a whole new light. 

The next poem is my spin on the title track.

Lava teardrops

Slowly falling

Metamorphasis

Twisting, distorting

Into a pool

Of raging flames.

Raw inferno,

Transforming heat,

So primeval,

Tribal beat,

Mesmerising

Hypnotic dance.

Glowing embers,

Twinkling stars,

Distant chanting

Of ancestors,

Time stands still

Within the fire.

Song #3 - Autobahn by Kraftwerk (single)

I remember being introduced to Kraftwerk back in 1978 by a girl I was at school with but it wasn't until many years later I fully came to appreciate how ground-breaking and influential they were. 

I wrote this poem after coming across 'Autobahn' during one of those You Tube searches that ends up taking you half way around the world and back!

This track says far more musically than it does lyrically, which is in my opinion what Kraftwerk were all about. However hearing it again immediately brought to mind the many journeys I have made along the stretch of motorway between Hull and Manchester. The following poem was the end result:

In my car

I am cocooned

But not invincible,

Restrained,

Confined,

Travelling

At speed

Along  a seemingly

Endless road.

A dart flying

Past monochrome

Yards and buildings,

Construction,

Distribution,

Income

Generation,

Putting food

On many tables.

Fields and trees,

A much needed

Splash of colour,

Makes me open

Rain-smeared

Windows,

Makes me

Want to

Breathe again.

Patchwork quilt

Of misty moorland,

Desolate lilac,

Bracken brown,

Marsh green,

Windswept, tinged

With deep despair,

Strangely unique

And beautiful.

Clumps of houses,

Smoking chimneys,

Distant echoes

Of years of strife,

Conurbations,

Brickwork canvas,

Fabric woven

With shades

Of life.

Road signs flashing,

Dipping headlights,

Music pounding

As cars pass by.

Streaks of

Lightning

In the distance,

Tyres swish

On textured ice.

Cars advancing

In my mirror,

Weaving patterns

Across the lanes,

Barriers, 

Lights, 

End destinations,

Contemplate

But don't look back.

Song #4 The Day The World Turned Day-Glo by X-Ray Spex

As I was driving through the countryside near to where I live I couldn't help but notice a field of bright yellow rape flowers stretching as far as the eye could see. I pulled over to take a photo and the words "the day the world turned yellow" dropped in my head.

When I arrived home I made the connection with this X-Ray Spex punk classic and immediately dug out the track to have a listen to it. After throwing everything into the mix the next poem was born.

Multi faceted,

Cut glass prism,

A thousand spotlights,

Yellow precision.

Psychedelic,

Dream-like state,

Lacy pathway

To a colourful place.

Heady aroma,

Waving hands,

Hypnotising,

No start no end.

Vying for attention,

Merging into one,

Indecipherable

Summer song.

No words no music,

No above no below,

Lost in time the day

The world turned yellow.

I hope you have enjoyed reading. I will be back very soon with part two of my song based verses. 

© Jill Webb June 2020