Tag Archives: natural world

One Tree

Posted on January 29, 2024 by SallyJ

Imagine a life reduced to one chair, one window –outside that window a single tree.A humble bird cherry, elderly now.Largely untended its arms all a-tangle, liveones entwined with others long dead. The wholeshaped and reshaped by winter and winds.Hear the … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, Daily observations, free verse, garden, natural world, poet, poetry, trees, Uncategorized, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Tête-à-Tête under a pearl sky

Posted on January 13, 2016 by SallyJ

In the words of Shelley: “The cold earth slept below; Above the cold sky shone…” … and flowering long before its time, this little narcissus. Damp and bedraggled it may be but light from its petals shines out. Crouched beneath a bare, … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, daily life, Daily observations, dogs, garden, inspiration, natural world, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Backend

Posted on December 30, 2015 by SallyJ

These days between Christmas and the new year, especially as someone who does not ‘do’ shopping, feel a little unusual to me this year. This year, with its higher than average temperature, has not even felt much like midwinter. My thoughts … Continue reading →

Posted in Daily observations, Emily Dickinson poetry, hope, Journal, poetry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Poetry Workshop at Watt’s Gallery, Compton

Posted on August 10, 2012 by SallyJ

  I am leading a poetry workshop at the Watt’s Gallery in Compton Surrey. It is a unique setting in the Surrey Hills and if you have never visited you have an amazing treat in store. G F Watts was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Art Gallery, inspiration, poet, poetic forms, poetry, Poetry workshops, poets, Uncategorized, Watts Gallery, Words in the landscape, writer, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Olympic Storyteller – latest challenge

Posted on May 2, 2012 by SallyJ

The latest challenge for the BT Olympic Storytellers was to pin down what puts the Great in Great Britain and to describe our greatest team for 2012. My piece was commended….so just off the podium this time! London 2012…the Greatest … Continue reading →

Posted in BT Olympic Storyteller, free verse, inspiration, London 2012, natural world, Olympics, poet, poetry, poets, writer, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Objects into poetry for dVerse

Posted on February 5, 2012 by SallyJ

For the first time in ages, this is my response to today’s dVerse.com challenge to poeticise (!) an object. The inspiration for this is the French writer Francis Ponge. From my computer I can see a gang of long tailed … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, Dversepoetry, free verse, garden, imagism, online writing, poet, poetry, Uncategorized, writer, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Walking the dog this morning

Posted on November 6, 2011 by SallyJ

  Crackle-tan and ochre scuffs beneath our feet. Sienna, burnt and raw rain-pasted to coarse paddock grass. Single, lemon hued leaflings hurtle in mad dance ankle high, defy demented terrier snap – drop like stone, to lie atop wind-piled drifts of … Continue reading →

Posted in autumn, dog walks, dogs, Dversepoetry, free verse, garden, poet, poetry, seasons, word painting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Revision of The Doe

Posted on April 29, 2011 by SallyJ

Following some really helpful comments on this poem when I posted it for One Shot Wednesday, I have slightly revised it. I would love to hear whether I have improved it, made it worse or just not made any discernible … Continue reading →

Posted in editing works in progress, garden, natural world, poetry, Uncategorized, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

One Shot Wednesday

Posted on April 27, 2011 by SallyJ

This is a work in progress and I would appreciate any comments that will help me knock it in to shape so I am posting it for One-Shot Wednesday. No horizon, Low clouds meld With stricken meadow, Distant silver birch, … Continue reading →

Posted in garden, natural world, One Stop Poetry, poetry, Uncategorized, wildlife | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Minor key

Posted on April 25, 2011 by SallyJ

Today’s thoughts arrive in minor key – laments, quiet songs, a prayer. Clogged by atmosphere Sultry thunder beats my ears. I’m stalked by nameless fear. Oppressive air heavy, still – asthmatic breath asphyxiates. Pollen hang glides mini-thermals, tightening lungs jam … Continue reading →

Posted in asthma, natural world, One Stop Poetry, poet, thunder | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments