In the open field

Writing poetry need not be a solitary process. Sure, we all need plenty of quiet time to write and develop ideas, but I also find working with other poets a productive and worthwhile experience.

Poets often get together to help each other progress their work.

The first such group I became involved with locally was PENfro Poets, which started in 2012 and grew out of the PENfro Book Festival, held in the inspiring surroundings of Rhosygilwen.

We are still going as a regular group and as well as working on our poems together, members take it in turns to present a workshop topic.

Some of our poetry can now be seen on a new website, together with work from the Art Group, also held regularly at Rhosygilwen.

Below is the latest work I have had posted on the site, and there’s a link at the bottom where you can find poetry from other members of the group.

This haiku sequence was written in response to a workshop run by PENfro Poet Peter George, which examined the second of the Four Quartets and challenged us to take inspiration from the writing of TS Eliot.

Meditations on the open field

early morning
in the open fields –
clear sky forever

*
in the emptiness
a robin’s loud song
                and silence falls

*
in this wide space
you can see your enemy
but you cannot hide

*

listen to silence
be sure to hear the echo
of the buzzard’s call

*
beyond the boundary
is the empty plain
                a gate swings open

*
in the middle of
an open field
the only shadow

*
November sunset
                pink clouds light the field
                as dark rises

*
Crows

fine mist rests low
in morning valley
winter trees shine through
while black birds make silhouettes
like ghosts on a frosty field

*Several of the above were first published as individual haiku in Blithe Spirit: Journal of the British Haiku Society

For more from the PENfro Poets and to see work of some of the talent local artists, check the link:

https://poetsandpainters.rhosygilwen.co.uk/poems