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.

The Guest – Dan Bowman

The second edition of “The Guest” involves one of my favourite poets out of all of the WordPress world and goes by the name of dpbowman.
His work never disappoints me and every single piece  I have read has blew me away, some of my personal favourites are “Night Sailing” “Secret Garden” and “I Think I Left…”.
So everyone go and check him out on the following link you will not be disappointed!! – - – > http://dpbowman.wordpress.com/

Below if just a few quick questions I asked Dan followed by one of his poems, all enjoy!

So tell people who may not have come across you before a little bit about yourself?
My name is Dan Bowman, I am 34 years old.
I am a Writer, a Pilgrim, an Adventurer, and a Lover of Life. I hold a degree in religion and the hands of my children. I love words and hope to connect to the world through them. My style is eclectic. I am trying lately to push myself to try different styles.

How did you get into writing poetry?
I first got into poetry in 9th grade just to make silly rhymes to make others laugh. My first work was “Elvis in my Pelvis”. I soon realized that I could say anything in rhyme and the world seemed to fall into line. Also others never really knew exactly what I meant, but took their own meaning and pleasure from my writing. I never turned back.

Has your style changed over the years?
Lately my style has become more…free-range. I still find it quite easy to return to metre in a heartbeat with both feet (see?).

Have you got a fellow blogger that you would like to recommend?
Please visit Bobbie at http://tornadoday.wordpress.com/about/

What was your main inspiration behind the following poem?
I wanted to try to capture what it means to grow as a writer, an artist, a person. It is a stretching, a pushing, a birthing. It is a life-long battle that I may not win, but someday one of us will write words that shatter all expectations and Beauty will be recognized once again. Til then, I’ll keep trying!

Immutable Force

As I expand to meet and grow beyond the fences
I find when I push outward against them it takes a will of senses
And it is often easier to fall
Back into the measured simple familiar temple of metre
and fail to find the rate at which I’m not repeater
but fire into the world something new to all
But I suppose old Solomon got it after all for There
is nothing new but to view your my vanity of hot air
and wonder at the slipper left at the ball
I have list to idle chatter of what this and that the matter
and smile and pray that soon the day the world will shatter
as an artist rises to this call
Would that it were me but no I think I have much room
to grow inside this growing growth though it may be my tomb
if I do not push out upon the wall
Hope you all enjoyed that, the next “The Guest” post will be on Sunday! Remember there is still 2 days worth of voting left in “The Poetry Challenge” so vote for your favourite now!!!

The Guest – Polly Robinson

So everyone the first edition of “The Guest” involves last weeks “Poetry Challenge” winner  Polly Robinson !
Her work is brilliant and after getting voted last weeks winner in a very tough “Poetry Challenge” I thought to myself she deserved to be the first person that I showcased!
She has done some brilliant pieces such as “Solo Connection” “Death Beckons” and “Beans For Tea” so all check out her work here’s the link to her blog  you will not be disappointed! – -> http://journalread.wordpress.com/

So below is some questions that I asked Polly and the answers that she gave, also she has not just given us one poem but two, so all enjoy!

So tell people who may not have came across you before a little bit about yourself? 
Hi, I’m Polly, born in Worcester UK and brought up in Malvern in Worcestershire where the famous Malvern Hills glower over the vale of Evesham.

How did you get into writing poetry?
How did I get into writing poetry?  Well, I can’t ever remember not being into writing poetry.  I guess things come to mind in snippets and I write them down – it’s fascinating trying to work out where ideas come from, methinks … sometimes I wake in the morning with a poem that’s just dying to be written.  I find that first ideas are often the best and just cannot write to order, though perversely give me a theme and I can usually pull something together.  My blog came into being only about six months ago and I’ve met such great folk here.  It was fab to win your poetry challenge, Corey, thanks for organising it for us, and this week I’ll be voting for my fave.

Has your writing style changed since you started writing?
I’m not keen on being pigeon-holed into a particular style of writing as, though we develop and our style is said to change … hmmm, not sure about that.  Poetry I wrote years ago at creative writing classes still benefits from a prune now and again, so I guess, if anything my style has become more ‘spare’ with the passing of years.  I do like to write about the darker side of life, I am drawn to horror – they say it’s an escape – yet I often write about relationships, a constant source of fascination.  I believe that readers bring their own experience and perception to the poem and that their interpretation will be as individual as they are.

Have you got a fellow blogger you would like to recommend?
A blogger that I would recommend is Holly Magill, she’s sharp, acute, memorable, see: http://hollyannegetspoetic.wordpress.com/

What was the inspiration behind the following poem?
The inspiration behind the following poem He Drinks Blood was the 42 open mic session dedicated to Nosferatu at our local gothic / horror / sci-fi / fantasy writers’ group.  It is probably my current favourite and can be found with an audio recording on my blog.

He Drinks Blood by Polly Robinson

You will know him by his powers,
His inhuman speed,
His sinister silence,
The way he can fly at the flick of an eyelid;
By his ability to conceal himself in the shadows,
His talon-like claws,
Very sharp,
Made for tearing flesh.

Just know that he has to drink blood.
He has to drink blood,
Or age fast,
Falling to dust if no blood is found.
But then, you will know him by …
He cannot tolerate garlic,
Can’t abide sunlight or crosses
And to him, water is loathsome, it dilutes his power.

He drinks blood;
Coppery-tasting human blood,
Rich, carmine human blood,
It is mine he seeks now.

I sense him getting closer,
Secreted in the darkest shadows,
Concealed by the cloaks in the closet,
Hidden beyond the hat stand in the hallway
Stalking, slowly up the stairs

– Silent –

He waits for me to fall asleep.
I know it,
Yet can stay awake but for
A few minutes more.
It has been 11 days
– 264 hours –
I cannot keep my eyes
Open much longer,
Even though,
I know,
The moment they close,
He will siphon the life
Out of me.
He has tried twice,
Already,
I am so weak.

Cold, cold, icily cold, he draws the blood from my soul.

He drinks blood;
Coppery-tasting human blood,
Rich, carmine human blood,
It is mine he drinks now.

**********

My second poem is in complete contrast, to try to show you what I mean about style.  It’s called Silken-tongued and Charming.

Silken-tongued and Charming by Polly Robinson

Vicious hooded lady

Cobra in a cave.

Pink, moist and tasty,

Licky,

Sticky,

Silken,

Erotic,

Sensuous.

Slave.

Master.

Hope you all enjoyed this, make sure you check out some more of her work and look out for the next edition of  ”The Guest” which will be up on Sunday! 

The Guest !!

Every week from now on I’m going to be doing posts called “The Guest” !
What will happen is each week I will ask one of my favourite poets from the world of WordPress to answer two or three questions and then ask them to either write a poem or pick a poem they have already done so I can share it with all of my followers!
The reason for this is that I can get to know some of my favourite bloggers better and they can showcase a piece of work to people who may not have come across them in the past!
So keep an eye out for these posts and I hope you enjoy their work as much as I do!

On a side note this weeks poetry challenge is shaping up to be a strong one and there is still two days left of submission time, so if you have not yet got involved yet then now is the time! Here’s the link for it - The Poetry Challenge 20/04/2012 – Week 6 – A Thing Of Beauty

Thanks again for all the support you have all gave me since I’ve started blogging and continuously getting involved in “The Poetry Challenge” you are all just awesome and I will try to get you all on “The Guest” eventually!

Corey Booth – ClownPonders