Saturday, June 1, 2013

Poetry along the pathways

 Last weekend I attended a poetry workshop in a little room situated in a beautiful garden. Eden Garden was hewn out of a quarry and is like an oasis of calm in the midst of the city.
Writing poetry means being willing to sit and be still,
to take a little climb into a different realm,
 to let a shower of rain refresh your soul;
to be open to surprise,
 and moments of beauty.
 The rays of sun illumine the pathways, showing where a filigree of shadow sits, and leading you onward in search of colour.
Then you find a nook, a place of shelter,
and then you have it. A poem has appeared, you have shaped it, and it rises well-formed.

Poetry along the pathways.

I seek simplicity
and fullness in one.
A stain of cornflower
blue seeps across
a page.
Dipping my pen,
a poem inscribes itself
across the blue.
This is enough.
I am complete. 
©Juliet Batten

10 comments:

Vicki Lane said...

What a beautiful setting! And your response to it is lovely!

Juliet said...

Vicki, the garden is a very special place, no matter what the season. Thank you for your kind remarks.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Juliet - love the tour of the garden and what a gorgeous place to be for a poetry reading ..

Then your poem .. love the thought of the cornflower stain colouring .. and the pen inscribing the words ..

Well done - cheers Hilary

Juliet said...

Hilary, so glad you enjoyed this. The garden helped to inspire fresh thoughts.
Thank you for your comment, much appreciated.

Hotly Spiced said...

The image of the garden is gorgeous. I have tried poetry but I'm just not very good at it. I'm sure you gained a lot from the workshop though. It must have been peaceful and restful as well as informative xx

Juliet said...

Charlie, it was a really peaceful setting for the workshop, with just birdsong from time to time. Just perfect. Thank you.

Lynley said...

I did enjoy this wonderful garden full of light and colour.

Well done on writing poetry. I enjoyed picturing cornflower blue after two days of grey skies.

Juliet said...

Lynley, you are such a garden-lover that I can imagine you there. The poetry is really enjoyable.
Thank you.

Penny O'Neill said...

How beautiful this is, Juliet. From your pictures, I know Eden Garden is a refuge I would lose my thoughts in and content myself with the stillness of its beauty.
Wonderful, wonderful poem. I'm amazed by your gifts, my friend.

Juliet said...

Penny, you would love walking in this garden, I know. I can just see you there. Thank you for your kind response to my poem.