Where I'm At

I am quiet
But I'm not a fool
I watch you
Bumbling red faced man
As you rant and shout expletives

I am quiet
But I am still valid
Shouty people
Do not have the sole right to rule
Even though they think they do

I am quiet
And I watch the circus
from the sidelines
Even when they
Want to draw me in

I am quiet
I wish to stay quiet
And be quietly dignified
As I exit the door
To the quietness outside

Simone Whipp 11/3/2018

At the Crossroads

She stood at the crossroads

Not knowing which path to take

And she stood at the crossroads

She stood at the crossroads

Paralysed with indecision

And she stood at the crossroads

She stood at the crossroads

People passed her by

And she stood at the crossroads

She stood at the crossroads

She stepped forward and then back

Returning to her place at the crossroads

She stood at the crossroads

She stood at the crossroads

She stood at the crossroads

Simone Whipp 16 January 2017

Be Still

My mind has been in turmoil today.  I have exasperated myself with having so much free time and not knowing what to do.  In the end I just closed my eyes and sat very still.  This poem came to me.



Be Still

Be still and then maybe you’ll find

Clarity and peace of mind

Be still like a stone on the ground

And listen, do not make a sound

Be still and let your breathing slow

Relax and let your conscience go

Be still, switch off the inner chatter

Destructive voices do not matter

Be still and feel an inner glow

Be still, that’s all you need to know

Simone Whipp April 2015

Dear Mr Keats

Dear Mr Keats,

For some reason, that I can't fathom out, thoughts of you popped into my head this week.  Ever since, I have been compelled to find out more about you.

I was astounded to discover that we have trodden the same pathways - yours in what was a rural country setting and mine in the 'developed' Enfield in the County of Middlesex.  Enfield Town train station now dominates the site where you boarded at  John Clarke's school.  I have walked along Church Street in Edmonton where you lived for a time with your grandmother.  In the same street,  the poet and essayist Charles Lamb and his sister lived at Bay cottage 13 years after your death.  Imagine that!  Two famous poets living in the same street!

You had such a troubled life peppered with tragedy and never knew the delights of marriage or a family of your own.  Maybe your trials and tribulations gave you a deep insight and connection with nature that was a catalyst for your soul touching poetry.  Separated by the Centuries, I feel we are united by the seasons.  Your autumn is my autumn and I feel you close by as I read To Autumn, which in my opinion, is your most beautiful poem.

Next time I walk through the streets of Enfield and feel the whistling wind and listen to the crunch of leaves underfoot, I will think of you and wish for your guiding spirit.

Yours sincerely,

Simone Whipp

Wanting

Want to speak

But I am lost for words

Want to reach out

But can’t stretch that far

Want to connect

But lost the line

Want to be loved

But wasting my time

Want to feel

But armour protects

Want to stop wanting

As want never gets

Simone Whipp May 2014

* Photo is of deep inside a black velvet petunia

A Summer Vision

I am struggling at the moment.  I don't think I remember a time when we had so much rain for so many months.  The house is full of damp and I even think it has reached my bones!  Anyway, I gave myself a bit of a pep talk about looking forward to better days and came up with a poem that I thought I would share with you.

When you're down, and feeling glum

And it feels like spring has never sprung

Just hold on tight and through the rain

Imagine summer days again

Flower heads bobbing in the breeze

Bright blue skies and honey bees

Do not fret but look ahead

To garden days - a picnic spread

The photo above was taken at Myddleton House Gardens in August 2013.  It was a glorious day and a wonderful memory.

Fading Beauty

Warning! If you are feeling depressed do not read the poem below! I need to run up a curtain for the front door today to keep out the cold but was compelled to write this poem as I was putting on my moisturiser this morning.

Another wrinkle, another fold

Another day of looking old

Saggy cheeks and drooping eyes

Lumpy arms and fallen thighs

The stresses and strains show in the furrows

The past revealing untold sorrows

The aging process is so cruel

And a reminder to us all.....

Beauty fades as we fade away

Judge not by looks; they do not stay

Now I have got that out of my system I am off to start on the curtain! Edited: Just snaped off the spool holder as I tugged the machine out of its hiding place so no curtain making for me today! I now have to glue the spool holder back together. That will teach me to be so negative!

Year of Action?

My 'year of action' hasn't exactly gone to plan so far. I have had a stinker of a cold since New Years Day and have spent the last few days hibernating. I still have the cold but am feeling better in myself so today I decided to just get on with it!

So far today I have:

• poached some dried fruit with honey and served with a warming bowl of porridge for breakfast

• made a thick, nutritious, garlicky lentil soup for lunch

• baked a clove studded ham with a marmalade glaze for dinner tonight

• written a short poem whilst watching the snow falling:

Silent snow softly falling
Flake on flake on flake

Silent snow softly drifting
bewildered birds on frozen lake

Silent snow softly settling
Patterns and tracks animals make

Silent snow
Sshhhhhh........................................

I hope that you are all well and staying safe and warm if the snow is causing you problems.x