I attended recently a poetry workshop organised by New Writing North at the TCR hub. It was hosted by the Poet Anna Barker who wrote the “Book of Crow”. It was a very interesting and valuable afternoon for a new poet like me.
One of the exercises was to choose an item from a nature table that Anna had set up, I chose a Dandelion. We were asked to use our senses – touch, smell, sight even taste if it was appropriate! And write about it.
Anna then asked us to choose an animal (though she did ask not to use the crow as she obviously had written about that creature herself) and produce a piece about its characteristics and use it for the theme of a poem.
I decided that the two slotted well together and after many iterations, feedback from members and finally (and most scarily from a friend who is a retired Harper Collins Editor), I have the final completed work.
The process has been interesting and sometimes challenging but I am pleased with what I have produced.
Kay
The Rabbit and Dandelion
Shy and timid not as big as a hare,
Panoramic vision, watchful eyes must be aware.
Scut fluffy tail and dense soft fur
Long velvet ears with low rumbled purr.
Powerful kicks hopping here and there,
Expressing joy, by twisting in the air.
Numerous in number, loving to play.
Frolic in the fields on a summers day
Underground burrows that bend and weave,
Grazing on grasses and dandelion leaves.
Just a humble plant I may be
Symbol of hope for those who believe.
Braving the buffeting winds of spring,
With resilience proving such a wonderful thing.
Valuable to wildlife adapting to sun and shade,
Invisibly working with good soils to be made.
With multiple petals our life cycle means,
Seed blown in the breeze brings wishes and dreams.
Dandelion… the lion of weeds
Barnard Castle Writing Group 