I write poetry infrequently, but this idea came to me when I saw Sue Vincent’s #writephoto prompt 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 it is challenging, so I’d love to know what you think of this rare attempt.
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I loved it. So dark and delicious! You should take partake in the liquor and poetry more often ;-) Writing poetry frustrates the hell out of me. My mind insists I should be able to do it, that surely it should be part of a writer’s repertoire, but alas, I fall short every time. Perhaps I should try it with a little tipple! Great work :-)
Delicious? I love how you describe it, Mel. That’s a lovely way to put it.
I find writing poetry to be very difficult. It’s something I usually stay well away from. I’ve tried it a few times but it seldom allows me to join its circle.
Thank you for your encouragement.
Hugh, nicely done! It’s possible you had one of your “dark side” book characters in your head at time. Don’t we talk through our characters? I wrote poetry years ago and know how hard it is to get just the right words in the right places. I liked the word repetition, and the rhythm. I’d say continue writing poetry once in a while when the mood strikes you! Just takes practice! You’ve got the skills, you’re an excellent writer! 💛 Christine (Elizabeth)
I suppose we do, Christine. I mentioned this to somebody else and there are certainly certain characters that seem to stay with you during your writing journey. I’ve now seen first-hand how they can cross over with you into different writing styles.
Thank you very much for your encouraging words and for the lovely compliment about my writing. It’s a great way to start a sunny September day. 🌞
Loved the poem. Of course, I will think twice about sharing a cab.:-)
I don’t blame you, John. I’m not a very good backseat driver. 😀
Ha ha ha. Good one. :-D
You are a natural. Photo prompts are cool. I should do more of them . HIGH FIVE!
I agree about photo and writing prompts, Daisy. They’ve helped me produced work that I’m now putting into a book.
High Five back at you. 😀
IMHO, Hugh, I liked it. It feels both personal and universal. Who hasn’t felt that him/herself is a kind of lost cause? It’s a great foray; I would be up for reading your poetry more often. Sci-fi poetry is a thing, too. Sci-faikus, even. Good luck!
Thank you, Leigh. I’ve surprised myself with this post today. It reminds me of the time I wrote one of my short stories in the middle of the night. When I published it, I got such a different response. I don’t normally write after 6pm in the evening. I’m more of a morning writer.
I agree with Willow – this is a poem that goes deeper than may seem on the surface.
I’ve no idea where I dug these words from, Jan. I hope to find more down there if I decide to go back. 🔦
👏👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you. I getting to know what a standing ovation is supposed to feel like. 😀 It’s good.
😊😊😊 well deserved!!!
Hugh, all I can say is “Ditto” to what everyone else has said. Literary competition worthy! Bravo!
Thank you very much, Marianne. I’m really shocked, beyond belief, by just how well this piece of poetry has been received.
Hmmm, the Roberts’ dark underbelly exposed. Was your public ready for this, I wonder? Or should you have let us in gently to the seamy side of your world? I like the repetition at the start, gives it a sinister rhythm, like a train in the dark. You are right to drop the rhyming you start with becasue I think that might constrain you but the last line breaks the metering rather and for me jars a little. Overall a tremendous piece with some lick and spittle needed aroudn the margins. All good poetry is like old pewter – it needs a helluva lot of polishing to get right.
I agree, Geoff. That last line certainly needs some polishing. I just wrote it as it came out. How it all came to me, I’ve no idea. My poetry box is often locked up and in a dark cupboard. I fear it may stay there for a while.
I don’t think anybody was ready for this. Not even I was 😀
This turned out fabulous, Hugh! My hats off to you (if I wore any)…you definitely have a knack!!
I’m liking what I’m being told, Terri. How long it will be before poetry comes to me again, who knows?
Thank you.
I like it, Hugh! And you often dance on the dark side in your prose, despite how happy you are in person – this seems to be true of your poetry as well :-)
Thanks, Helen. I’m definitely from the dark side. I seem to like it there very much. To me, poetry has always been on the other side. Maybe it has joined me?
Maybe it has :-)
Hugh I honestly thought that the poem was amazing . It dug deeply into the physi. You lived the sadness as you wrote the poem and it truly showed. I am no expert but I know what I like and what feels real and this poem was and is. Well done! 🤗
These are wonderful, amazing, comments, thank you so much, Willow. Poetry really does scare me, but maybe it’s me it is scared of? I just find it so difficult to write and the words rarely come to me. I’m so encouraged by your kind comments. Thank you so much.
xx
It’s funny I feel safer with poetry than prose! I meant every word it was excellent!
Thank you, Willow. 🤗
Keep it up Hugh!!
I loved reading this poetic side of your creative self, Hugh. Very effect use of repetition. “This is” …”don’t’…”so”…”gateway.” The mood you’ve woven with words tugs at my emotions. Beautifully done! <3
Wow! I never expected a comment like this, Olga. I’ve attempted writing poetry before, but it never works out because I can’t seem to find the right words. It’s always been one of the most difficult forms of writing for me.
Thank you so much for your lovely comments. They’ve not only put a big smile on my face, but told me that “I can do it.”
So glad you liked my comment, Hugh. The best writing is not forced, it just flows out like it’s meant to be. Yes, you did it! <3
Wow, for someone that finds poetry difficult to write you did a great job. I too only dabble in poetry and have to be in the mood as well.
I enjoyed reading your poem and it left me with many emotional thoughts, the most prevalent being sadness and hope. I guess everyone will interpret it differently. Well done. :o)
Thank you very much. In the almost three years I have been here, I think this is only my third attempt at poetry (other than a few haikus).
It left me thinking that it was written by someone who was not able to accept being loved. Certainly not me, but maybe came from one of the characters in my short stories.
Deep… dark… fantastic…Hugh!!!!
Just how I like my movies, Ritu. Thank you so much. 😀
It was great, really Hugh!!!
Poetry, Hugh? We’ll get you to the dark side yet ;)
I know. See what you do to me, Sue. I think this is a very rare event. If it were an item on ‘The Antiques Roadshow’, we’d both be opened-mouthed and in shock right now. I’d certainly be asking for a large glass of brandy and somewhere to sit down.
I could do with both just at present Hugh… before I fall down ;)
Large brandy coming up. I’ll be joining you, Sue.
Thanks, Hugh :)
Reblogged this on Sue Vincent – Daily Echo.
I really like your poem, Hugh! Your words catch my attention because it’s a bit mysterious, and melancholy at the same time. :)
That’s very kind of you, thank you. Now that you mentioned it, it does have the tones of one of my short stories that come with a shocking twist. 😱
Wow, Hugh! That is a side of you I had not expected 😮
No, me neither, Erika. I find writing poetry one of the hardest things to do. It very rarely comes to me. I’ve shocked myself, which means I need a drink 🍷
Hahaha….. You are awesome, Hugh 😄 regarding your reply and your poetry!!! I am looking forward to many more shocking moments. Cheers 🍷
What an honor to have you be in the mood to write poetry! You could honor us more often, you know… :)
I’d love to, Annette, but I find poetry so difficult to write. I really have to be in the mood for it. Apparently, I was a few hours ago. 😀