Poetry Appreciation

What do we do?

The leader or one of the members chooses a poet or a theme – we’ve looked at a very varied range of poets, from Keats to Brian Patten, from Robert Frost to Wendy Cope, and subjects as different as Love and Time.
Each member of the group looks for poems and chooses some that appeal. At the meeting, Karen asks for a volunteer to read first, and then we take turns reading. You don’t have to read, but most people do, when they get used to us!

The reader often has something to say – what the poem or poet said that was striking or unusual, perhaps. The leader does some research into the poet’s life and work, producing information sheets. A little “light teaching” is done and the discussions take flight in some surprising directions. It’s all meant to be enjoyable – we’re not taking exams, but we come away, I hope, with more appreciation of the poet’s skill and use of the English language.

We have a “chatty” coffee break, too!

Although we mainly read poems, sometimes one of the members feels inspired to write their own – see below:

Whilst looking through her window at the volunteers who look after St Mary’s Churchyard in Frinton, Ruth Smith was inspired to write the following poetry.

The Old Churchyard by Ruth Smith

A quilt comforter
Warming bones recently and
Years ago buried.

January the show
Begins with shy snowdrop drifts

And gold aconites.

February ushers
Mauve crocus with quiet primrose.
Blackbird sings for mate.

March daffodils meet
Celandines and more bird song
To fill warming air.

April welcoming
Nodding bluebells and buttercups
Yellow in the sun.

Ladies smock for May.
Threads with dainty Queen Anne’s lace
To conclude the show.

Joy in the sunshine
From selfless dedication.
The life force nurtured.

Attendee panel closed