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The latest in our poetry series has been submitted by Darren Alderton - who has sent in two he has written during the lockdown.
Darren has been writing a poem a day when he has been able to, taking inspiration from different areas during the current time.
He sent two in after seeing the challenge set by businessman Dave Beausire who thought other people might like to share their own poems too.
Dave's poem, one by David Rowlinson, and poems submitted by Sally Robert, Tristan Boscher and Colin Perry can all be read HERE.
Pictured: Sally Robert and Tristan Boscher are among those who have submitted poems they've written during the lockdown.
Darren's first poem is called Waves. He said:
"Waves is inspired by a family who I see out of our upstairs window who always head down to the beach and write messages on the shoreline. The lad, who must be all of about 5, is always mesmerised by the fact that when he gets back the next day, they are gone. I wanted to portray this as a metaphor that bad times in life are never around forever."
Above: Poem submitted by Darren Alderton.
The second poem Darren has submitted is based on something he heard during the relentless media coverage of covid-19.
"It is a reflection of a comment made by Boris that made me chuckle. "Surround yourself with negative people". What he meant was don't go near anyone who's covid positive but I thought I'd play with the double meaning and apply this to the mood hoovers on social media that complain and moan about anything and everything."
NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO SURROUND YOURSELF WITH NEGATIVE PEOPLE
An empty glass, a barren bottle of wine
Watching time pass as the world outside declines.
A week of guidelines, the speak of headlines, the passing of time. Alone and weak, sat in your room hidden,
Trapped by the bleak critique, feeling gloom ridden.
No one else around but you listen to the sound
Of the voice inside your head that chimes
‘Now, is a great time to surround yourself with negative people’.
People with a problem for every solution
People who still moan about every institution
People whose claim to fame is that their mouths
Work faster than their brain, yet it’s still the same
Because they’re like clouds in the rain
Living in fear of the gloom they display
But as soon as those clouds clear, it’s a beautiful day.
So, in this way, you should listen to that voice and say
‘Now, is a great time to surround yourself with negative people’.
Although you know that you’re just one in seven billion And though you show that you have your own opinion
You can’t help but find difficulty in every opportunity.
You feel destructive even though you try to stay productive And you spiral in circles creating your own shield
Staying concealed from a world of empty drama.
Remain simplistic. Keep realistic.
Don’t let others alter your strong characteristic.
It’s them being optimistic that your toxic personality
will be changed by the alchemy of their kindness.
So, as the world becomes clinical, you hang on to being cynical Because now, is a great time to surround yourself with negative people.
Whatever happens, good or bad
We should be glad that people will always
Have something negative to say.
There’s no need to be judgemental
about them being detrimental
Don’t be obsolete if they show signs of defeat
Cos it’s ok to make that connection even though they just give off rejection. On reflection, its their way to show protection.
And though they might show sarcasm to your perpetual enthusiasm
They really don’t care if that glass is half empty or half full
They’re just grateful that they have a glass at all
And though they’re not the biggest fan of turning “I can’t” into “I can”
At the moment you need them,
If for the only reason that
now, is a great time to surround yourself with negative people.
To submit your poem, readers' letter or other musings please email editor@bailiwickexpress.com
Pictured top: The authors of our submitted poems so far.
