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Poetry

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 these photo and writing challenges are a brilliant way to bring out the unusual in my writing.

I rarely write poetry because it’s challenging, so I’d love to hear what you think of this rare attempt.

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96 responses to “Gateway – #writephoto”

jjspina

Sep 20, 2016

Wow, another talent has been uncovered! I liked it, Hugh, thought-provoking and mysterious! 😘

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 20, 2016
  
  Thank you, Janice. I’ve been amazed by the response to this attempt at writing poetry.
  xx
  
  Reply
Kat

Sep 20, 2016

I like it! It strikes me as a little yearning. :)

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 20, 2016
  
  Thanks, Kat. I’ve been so surprised by the reaction to the this poem.
  
  Reply
  1. Kat
    
    Sep 20, 2016
    
    Well, Hugh, I am not surprised in the least. Looks like you’ve got some untapped talent there. :)
    
    Reply
    1. Hugh’s Views and News
      
      Sep 20, 2016
      
      Thanks, Kat. It’s amazing what you can find when you think you know you’ve looked so many many times. 😀
      
      Reply
Aimer Boyz

Sep 20, 2016

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 !

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 20, 2016
  
  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. 😈
  
  Reply
dgkaye

Sep 20, 2016

I think you’ve discovered a new hidden talent. :)

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 20, 2016
  
  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
  
  Reply
  1. dgkaye
    
    Sep 20, 2016
    
    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
    
    Reply
    1. Hugh’s Views and News
      
      Sep 20, 2016
      
      I love your quote, Debby. 😀 You wouldn’t want to see me dancing…anywhere. 😂
      xx
      
      Reply
blondieaka

Sep 20, 2016

Wow…Hidden talents….Love it! Hugh…..I also do my best work through a prompt :)

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 20, 2016
  
  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.
  
  Reply
  1. blondieaka
    
    Sep 20, 2016
    
    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?
    
    Reply
    1. Hugh’s Views and News
      
      Sep 20, 2016
      
      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’ 🎅
      
      Reply
      1. blondieaka
        
        Sep 22, 2016
        
        Ohhhh a nice stocking filler…I will let you know about the download :)
        
        Reply
Silver Threading

Sep 20, 2016

Well done, Hugh! You should do this more often! 💖

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 20, 2016
  
  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.
  
  Reply
  1. Silver Threading
    
    Sep 20, 2016
    
    LOL. Watch my post tomorrow. It might be something you’ll like. Next Tuesday. 💗
    
    Reply
    1. Hugh’s Views and News
      
      Sep 20, 2016
      
      I’ll keep a lookout for it. Colleen. You’ve got me intrigued now. 😀
      
      Reply
Ali Isaac

Sep 19, 2016

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!

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 20, 2016
  
  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.
  
  Reply
Bobby Fairfield

Sep 19, 2016

Enjoyed reading this one, maybe you could think of it as a portal to poetry

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 20, 2016
  
  That’s a very nice way of putting it, Bobby. Thank you.
  
  Reply
Emilio Pasquale

Sep 19, 2016

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!

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Sep 20, 2016
  
  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.
  
  Reply
Marje @ Kyrosmagica

Sep 19, 2016

I’m seeing a new side to you Hugh! Keep it up, enjoyed it very much. I love poetry. :)

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

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