It’s infrequent I write poetry, but this came to me when I saw the #writephoto prompt from Sue Vincent at Daily Echo.
Before you read the poem, please be assured that I am very well, enjoying life, and haven’t touched a drop…yet.
This is the gateway to heartache
This is the gateway to my soul
This is the gateway to all of me
My thoughts, my secrets, my control.
Don’t enter this gateway
Don’t put a foot inside
For what will wake up and confront you
Will be sadness, my tears, not joy.
Find me a lock and find me the key
So I can protect you from all that is me
Build up a brick wall and pass me on by
So this gateway to nightmares will no longer horrify.
I think it shows that these photo and writing challenges are a brilliant way to bring out the unusual in my writing.
I rarely write poetry because I find it so challenging to write, so I’d love to know what you think of this rare attempt.
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Hugh's Views & News 
Deep, meaningful. Love it Hugh. Love that you tried a bit of poetry too. I don’t normally do poetry either – very occasionally I will try it, but I have to be feeling REALLY REALLY confident to do it.
Yep, I’m the same, Sacha. I’ve never been confident at writing poetry. It’s one of the forms of writing that really scares me.
Thanks for the thumbs up for my try, though. 😀
Great contribution Hugh.. Loved reading it and others too along my travels today..
Good to hear all is well in your world too.. Keep enjoying..
Blessings your way. Sue
Thank you, Sue. Autumn always works for me. My favorite time of the year.
Each Season that comes around I guess is my favourite Hugh.. Yet I do so look forward to Spring after and especially long dark winter.. 🙂
When you scratch trough the surface there is lot more to all of us than we care to admit most of the time.
A very nice way of putting it, Charlie. Thank you.
This is fantastic, Hugh. I like it a lot, a lot. 😀 😀
Thank you, Tess. I’ve been really surprised by the reaction to this attempt at some poetry. I’ve been quite shocked.
Time to pat yourself on the back, Hugh. 😀 😀
I’ve had a jolly good try at doing that, Tess. 😀
😀 😀 I’d help you, but my arm is too short.
Hugh this is a great poem!
I’m currently participating in a free online Modern Poetry class offered through Coursera (https://www.coursera.org/learn/modpo/home/welcome)
It is an incredible interactive online course, with live YouTube reading and discussions, give it a look-see.
Thank you so much. I’ll certainly take a look. Thank you for including the link. Good luck with the course.
Great, it is a wonderful learning experience. 🙂
Wow, another talent has been uncovered! I liked it, Hugh, thought-provoking and mysterious! 😘
Thank you, Janice. I’ve been amazed by the response to this attempt at writing poetry.
xx
I like it! It strikes me as a little yearning. 🙂
Thanks, Kat. I’ve been so surprised by the reaction to the this poem.
Well, Hugh, I am not surprised in the least. Looks like you’ve got some untapped talent there. 🙂
Thanks, Kat. It’s amazing what you can find when you think you know you’ve looked so many many times. 😀
Surprised me yet again, Hugh. I read with one eye open looking for your trade mark twist, but no, you played it straight this time. (Yeah, I heard that too, just laugh and move on)
Have a drink or three and write more poetry. This is GOOD !
“Find me a lock and find me the key
So I can protect you from all that is me”
These two lines are my favourite. We want some one to know us, yes, but not the hard parts, the dark parts, not the parts that will make them run for the door … maybe that’s just me 🙂
Well done !
Somebody else mentioned those two lines as well, Aimer. I think I struck gold with them.
Thank you for your encouragement. Poetry with a twist sounds a great idea, but I can’t begin to think how hard it might be to write. Far more difficult than in a short story I think. Anyway, we’ll see what develops from within the deep unknown of my creative mind. 😈
I think you’ve discovered a new hidden talent. 🙂
Thanks, Debby. One that is very shy and seems to have little desire to play, though. It needs to entice me more often. Maybe, now, it will.
xx
Well at least you’ve dipped in your foot. We all find our comfort zones and we can’t be dancing at every wedding! 🙂 xo
I love your quote, Debby. 😀 You wouldn’t want to see me dancing…anywhere. 😂
xx
Wow…Hidden talents….Love it! Hugh…..I also do my best work through a prompt 🙂
I do enjoy these prompts very much, Carol. Some of them seem to bring out the best in me. Many of the short stories in my upcoming book are written from photo and writing challenges I’ve found here on WordPress.
Likewise Hugh ….My short stories…which came ‘Out Today’ in Phuket Writers Anthology were all penned from a photo or an occupation or place…..I react well to those which you obviously do as well.. When is your book out?
Will the book also be available as a download, Carol? Amazon UK only seems to have it as a paperback version.
My book is due for publication on 9th December. Just in time for ‘you know what’ 🎅
Ohhhh a nice stocking filler…I will let you know about the download 🙂
Well done, Hugh! You should do this more often! 💖
Thanks, Colleen. I may well have another go…one day. 😀 We’ll see if poetry will allow me to be a part of its world. I think it’s quite strict as to who it allows in.
LOL. Watch my post tomorrow. It might be something you’ll like. Next Tuesday. 💗
I’ll keep a lookout for it. Colleen. You’ve got me intrigued now. 😀
Wow Hugh, there is a real secret dark side to you that is only ever revealed in your writing. Otherwise, none of us would have any inkling it was there. This piece is very powerful. And striking with its repetition. You should write more poetry, the only way to improve and encourage it to flow is to keep on doing it. Follow Jane Dougherty if you don’t already, she’s a master. I find poetry is a great format for expressing emotion. I’m like you, I love poetry but find it hard, its not natural for me, but every now and again I give it a go. Well done and have fun with it!
Seems so, Ali. I guess we don’t really know what lurks beneath other people. Well, not unless they write and publish it. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been drawn to the dark side when it comes to writing.
I already follow Jane. I’ve participated in some of her writing challenges. One of the stories I wrote for her will be in the upcoming book.
Thank you for the encouragement. I’m sure I’ll be back with another piece at some stage.
Enjoyed reading this one, maybe you could think of it as a portal to poetry
That’s a very nice way of putting it, Bobby. Thank you.
I usually dislike poetry. I think it comes from having taught high school English for a few years and having to critique the “poetry” that my students would come up with. But your attempt I actually liked. Great job!
That’s an extremely nice comment, thank you, Emilio. Looks as if I need to participate in the world of poetry a little more often.
I’m seeing a new side to you Hugh! Keep it up, enjoyed it very much. I love poetry. 🙂
Thanks, Marje. Although this bit of poetry seems to have gone down quite well, I don’t seem to have the desire to write anymore. However, I’ll certainly partake again when the desire for it returns.