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Gateway – #writephoto

Published by

Hugh W. Roberts

Sep 19, 2016

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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96 responses to “Gateway – #writephoto”

mbarkersimpson

Sep 19, 2016

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 :-)

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 20, 2016
  
  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.
  
  Reply
C.E.Robinson

Sep 19, 2016

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)

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 20, 2016
  
  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. 🌞
  
  Reply
John W. Howell

Sep 19, 2016

Loved the poem. Of course, I will think twice about sharing a cab.:-)

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 19, 2016
  
  I don’t blame you, John. I’m not a very good backseat driver. 😀
  
  Reply
  1. John W. Howell
    
    Sep 20, 2016
    
    Ha ha ha. Good one. :-D
    
    Reply
Daisy in the Willows

Sep 19, 2016

You are a natural. Photo prompts are cool. I should do more of them . HIGH FIVE!

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 19, 2016
  
  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. 😀
  
  Reply
Leigh W. Smith

Sep 19, 2016

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!

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 19, 2016
  
  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.
  
  Reply
jan

Sep 19, 2016

I agree with Willow – this is a poem that goes deeper than may seem on the surface.

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 19, 2016
  
  I’ve no idea where I dug these words from, Jan. I hope to find more down there if I decide to go back. 🔦
  
  Reply
spiritualdragonfly

Sep 19, 2016

👏👏👏👏👏👏

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 19, 2016
  
  Thank you. I getting to know what a standing ovation is supposed to feel like. 😀 It’s good.
  
  Reply
  1. spiritualdragonfly
    
    Sep 19, 2016
    
    😊😊😊 well deserved!!!
    
    Reply
Marianne Frontino McCreight

Sep 19, 2016

Hugh, all I can say is “Ditto” to what everyone else has said. Literary competition worthy! Bravo!

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 19, 2016
  
  Thank you very much, Marianne. I’m really shocked, beyond belief, by just how well this piece of poetry has been received.
  
  Reply
TanGental

Sep 19, 2016

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.

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 19, 2016
  
  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 😀
  
  Reply
Terri Webster Schrandt

Sep 19, 2016

This turned out fabulous, Hugh! My hats off to you (if I wore any)…you definitely have a knack!!

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 19, 2016
  
  I’m liking what I’m being told, Terri. How long it will be before poetry comes to me again, who knows?
  Thank you.
  
  Reply

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