Learning Poetry By Rote

An amusing article concerning the merits of learning poetry by rote, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2260419/Ill-vote-learning-poetry-rote.html. (The author is not in favour of said practice). As one of the commenters states, in the comments following on from the piece, much of the poetry I can recall is that from which I derived pleasure, for example Dowson’s “They Are Not Long The Weeping And The Laughter” and Beloc’s “On An Election”.

As someone or other once wrote:
There was a young Man called Moat
Who learned a poem by rote.
It was somewhat long
And concerned a thong
Or perhaps it was a goat!

There Was A Young Lady Called Jane

There was a young lady called Jane
Who boarded the wrong train.
She jumped off in a huff
Yelling “I have had enough
And I can’t stand the rain!”.

There was a young lady called Jane
Who boarded the wrong train.
She jumped off in a huff
Which was really quite tough
On account of the moving train!

The Cane

“Wait here!” he said, his hands clenching and unclenching as he strode towards the door. There was a crash and he was out in the open air.
He rushed down the garden path and, wrenching open the tool shed door, grabbed several thick bamboo canes and, not bothering to close it behind him, hurried back to the building where the objects of his ire awaited his return.
He found that thin canes had no lasting effect. What was needed was real discipline and he was determined that, come hell or high water those ungrateful offspring he had so carefully nurtured would behave.
“I’ve warned you until I’m blue in the face but you won’t listen! All the love and care I’ve devoted to you and you repay me by slouching on the ground like that. Right, here goes” he said brandishing the thick bundle of bamboo. Bending down he grasped one of the many large plants which had become detached from the frame which had, hitherto held them in place …

Free to enter poetry and prose competition for under-represented writers

bridget whelan's avatarBRIDGET WHELAN writer

chemistryFounded in 2013, the Creative Future Literary Awards are the UK’s only national writing competition and high profile awards ceremony for under-represented writers in the UK.

Is this poetry and short fiction competition for you? Creative Future defines under-represented writers as people who feel their opportunities are limited as a result of:

  • having a mental health issue

  • having a physical disability

  • having a long-term limiting illness

  • having a learning disability/ASD/ADHD

  • having a sensory impairment

  • having a substance misuse issue

  • being homeless or in temporary accommodation

  • being a survivor of abuse

  • being a care leaver

  • being long term unemployed

  • being a carer

  • being an offender or ex-offender

  • being part of the BMER/Traveller commuunity

  • being part of the LGBTQ+ community

  • being an older person (65+)

If you have any questions or concerns about whether you are eligible, Creative Future are keen for you to get in touch. Call on 01273 234 780 or email info@creativefuture.org.uk

medicine world-1185076_640Submission

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Wonder

I wonder
Who makes the thunder.
Is it Thor
Who makes that roar?

The scientist will say
In a most prosaic way
That there is no deity on high
Merely electricity and the endless sky.

I sigh
For the forgotten days of belief.
This life is brief
And scientists say that there is no wonder
In yonder lightning flash
And the crash of thunder,
Yet still I wonder …

(Written in response to https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/wonder/).