Barriers
By Resident Poet Peter Devonald
LATEST NEWS
Two journeys on the latest balloon ride around the world. Great site, amazing to inspire kids (and the young at heart). Do pass on this on - teachers find this resource so useful. Many thanks to the fantastic The Dirigible Balloon and Jonathan Humble.
Tiny Butterfly Effect - I really enjoy this playful experiment in form and space; a reviewer said the spacing brings this poem alive.
https://dirigibleballoon.org/poem/Tiny-Butterfly-Effect?fbclid=IwAR0FkdxqZ7KSC1P6t82bjsqM74QfXe8Cwm6sQKj-a5OabN2XxLTveze0QqY
Tomorrow Is A Sparrowhawk In Flight - a call to embracing adventures and seizing uniqueness. Wrote this about the amazing eldest child of my friends, such a wonderful kid with such a bright future.
https://dirigibleballoon.org/poem/Tomorrow-Is-A-Sparrowhawk-In-Flight?fbclid=IwAR3iC3hr0H8FSSurOrLOQA70oStLnaZGrecM-omis7WFBZ0UQa15L7oqD0c
Took part in this fun challenge: 5 tags 5 things for Voidspace
https://voidspacezine.com/secret-truths/
Three poems in Otherwise Engaged A Literature and Arts Journal
hefty tome of poetry, some great works, so much talent. ISBN-13 979-8851066269
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0C9SP2TQV/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1&fbclid=IwAR3Oc27oPNBFbo671lSR8dcX9P84j9fD9mjI0STaFuhNgECwlwaFXQtj1es
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Mind The Gap (2023)
Despite all our advances in the last century, the biggest change is still not achieved. Smash the artificial glass ceilings that remain, break the hegemony of society, seize a better tomorrow.
Mortality Has A Place For You
In the end we all face the final barrier to our lives; how would we change if we knew our exact moment of our deaths? Would we be reckless, knowing we can’t die yet? Focussed? Depressed? An exploration and celebration of the time we have left.
You will die in exactly 23 years, 2 months, 2 days, 16 hours and 53 minutes.
No choice, no way out, no bargaining or negotiations
it has already happened, like birth
fate, kismet, unshakeable destiny sounds so far away but while we wait
time will not come back, it keeps on moving.
Move with it, days and weeks and months
drift.
All the wasted time stacks up like Jenga pieces
arguments, worry and stress are stepping stones
to nowhere
everything falls in the end anyway. We haven't got time for terrible pasts
that hold us back for so long, so many moments desperate
mesmerising histories flash past at the speed of light
glimpsed not lived, let them go, let them go
only when the clock speeds down so fast
is it so obvious how vital now is, everything feels so much more
vital, urgent, magic tricks of the living
dying is easy, living is pressing
now we know the unescapable date and time.
What would happen if we miss our own death?
Ghosts and shadows glances out the corner of our eyes
a vacuum, a void, living past our time
stumbling into blue, a night without dreams
we cannot miss what cannot be avoided
grieve our own death, sorrow is inevitable
then look around and realise seasons and cycles
great wheels of change, life, death and rebirth
winter followed by spring, the incredible majesty of it all
supreme design, God or universe, live life whilst we may
for soon this will be our death day.
The knowledge of our death always seared inside makes us consider
what will we do now? What really matters? What changes and why?
What will we cherish or forget? What dreams may come with time?
Quintessence of life, true meaning, pure faith, learn what it means to be alive
stripped of worry, about futures that will never happen
liberated to live, bathe in life, the world opens up
opportunities, events and moments
no longer barriers to experience
desperate urgency to live, really live, fulfil all potential
appreciate every breath, to feel alive, to be alive, seize and enjoy infinity.
All that matters is the glorious now, celebrate and appreciate
everything. Embrace the world in all its passionate intentions
notice the sublime as time ticks so much louder now, urgent and precise.
Dream, dance and become the person you always intended to be
celebrate every day, grow trees for others futures
Haunting Tanka
The ultimate barrier of all, the bridge between worlds.
A LITTLE EXTRA >>>
Coming Soon – Summer 2023
A Day In the Life of Earth Dear Politicians: Ecopoetry Anthology – Stairwell Books: Can’t find the release date, but so much quality work will appear in this, highly recommended when it comes out. After the hottest month in the world in June and the wettest July in the UK, 40 degree++ heat in Brazil and Southern Europe (and UK last year) it seems insane that more oil fields are being announced and ‘being green’ is being demonised and considered a toxic voting issue. Prove them wrong!