The Guest - Charles Townsend

The third edition of “The Guest” involves another favourite poet of mine and the winner of week 4 of “The Poetry Challenge” graypoet .

He is such a brilliant writer and you can always rely on his posts to be up to the highest of standards. I would also like to thank him for getting involved in the first few weeks of “The Poetry Challenge” and also not failing to post his vote for the top three!
Here’s the link to his blog so please go and check it out – - > 
http://graypoet.wordpress.com/

On a side note after seeing one of his latest posts I would like to wish his sister who is currently in a battle with cancer and also pneumonia the best of luck in her recovery and hopefully we will see him back showcasing his amazing work sometime soon when things get better.

Below is a few questions I asked Charles, the answers he gave and a piece of his poetry, enjoy!

So tell people who may not have come across you before a little bit about yourself?

Charles Townsend, 57 years young from the Joplin, MO area. I’ve given thought to whether I have a writing style and really don’t consider myself a poet.  I tend to think of myself as a word-bender, I have a mind that seems to be in constant motion and at times I just need to let the words fall to a page and escape.

How did you get into writing poetry?

I’ve always dabbled with putting words together whether the odd little quip or note on a special occasion card I designed.  At times the words rhyme and other times they just flow.  I was posting a few things on my Facebook page to some friends and one suggested I enter a poetry contest on a site that wanted to link to a WordPress page, so I started the page.  When I subsequently won the contest,  I guess I thought  I would just continue my blog and have been surprised at the following it has brought me.

You said you were 57 years young, over the years do you think the popularity in poetry has grown or decreased?

Through my years I believe poetry has changed. I remember the teachers back in my day,( no it was almost the dark ages), encouraged reading poetry aloud as part of our class work.
Today I find poetry so relaxing and comforting. I have found so many great poets and artists on WordPress and continue to find others as the circle grows. One might have thought poetry was declining but I feel it is alive and thriving here. So much emotion and yet beauty also. I feel humbled with the comments that I get on some of my work. I don’t yet consider myself a poet, just a simple word ender, but those comments help me grow and I encourage any to share your thoughts with those that write. It is a help whether admiration, some emotional connection or even constructive criticism.

Have you got a fellow blogger you would like to recommend?

I have been surprised at the followers I have and find that I am drawn to their works.  As to one that I might recommend, there could be so many.  Lately I have to say that I have been enjoying http://maggiemaeijustsaythis.wordpress.com/

What was your main inspiration behind the following poem? 

The following poem was written after finding that a friend was continuing down a path that I could no longer follow…

Loss Of A Friendship

Just when you think that things are looking up
Life has a way of slapping you in the face
Maybe it is better not to think too much of yourself
Because it is then something puts you in your place.

I had a friend, someone I cared about for some time
There were conversations that we shared so much
Talk of family and things going on in our life
If things had been different, I would have sought her touch.

Maybe I thought too much of the things we had shared
I knew she had a lot going on in her family and life
She was such a caring mother, giving all to her kids
Even in the tough times, she tried to be a good wife.

Just when things seemed to be looking up for both of us
Something happened that has caused me to take a step back
I wish her all the success in her life with family and friends
We will remember the good times, not my heart and it’s crack.

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