Wednesday 21 December 2011

Last Poetry meeting of 2011

It's silly, I know, but I am always sad to see the year drawing to a close. Last year at this time, still recovering from the shock of my illness, I was just very grateful to be alive. This year has been one of good health I am glad to say - and I am sad to see it go because of all the good times we have had.

One of the best of these has been our monthly Poetry meetings, when as a group of friends we meet in one another's houses to read our favourite poetry. Today it was my turn to host the event. The day turned out bright and mild, so road conditions were no problem, and there were eight of us sitting round the fire and reading our favourites - and what a selection.

The poems make us recall events in our lives, we reminisce, we discuss the poets, we laugh at poets like Wendy Cope and Brian Patten and we get that warm, cosy, Christmassy feeling when poems about Christmas are read. Christmas can be a sad time if you live alone, as quite a few of our members do, and I like to think that this coming together in friendship goes some way to overcoming this.

I really feel that the celebrations have started now, although after the Cookery Programmes on television tonight I shall probably be adding more things to my Boxing Day menu. At least the Cookery programmes give one food for thought (sorry about the pun) unlike the Perfume adverts which I think suggest to men that the sky's the limit if they buy a certain perfume for the woman in their life; closely followed by the adverts for jewelry - buy this necklace or that bracelet and you will pull some very glamorous twenty year old rather than the old dear you have been living with for the last twenty years. (I count myself in the latter, by the way!)

I think it is worth reminding ourselves as the jewelry adverts seem to take over the papers at this time of the year, that most of the words for items of jewelry (necklace, bracelet, ring, ear-ring etc.) have their origins in slavery.

And while we are on the subject of crazy things - a friend went into our local superstore, which is on the largest army garrison in Europe, to buy a CD of the wonderful Army Wives song destined to become number 1 at Christmas (fingers crossed), only to be told that they weren't stocking it as they were not a big enough store. Those women are inspirational to us all I think, and what better place to have it on sale than one where the women know all about what it is like to be here while their husbands, sons and brothers are fighting overseas.

10 comments:

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

After the weekend, when the Army Wives are officially No 1 in the charts the superstore will stock it. That's how they work. Don't worry about the passing of the year - there'll be another one next year.

Heather said...

I'm horrified that the garrison superstore isn't stocking the Military Wives' CD - the manager should be ashamed.
Your poetry meetings sound similar to my group meetings where we also take turns as host. They are the highlight of my month and a chance to discuss all things textiley without fear of boring the others present.
So pleased you have regained your health - take good care of yourself.

Elizabeth said...

Yes, a pity about the CD --so shortsighted.
I envy you the poetry group!

Dartford Warbler said...

I feel sure that a Poetry Group would thrive in our village. Yours sounds wonderful. I shall suggest to Book Group friends that we set one up in the New Year.

Eryl said...

I know exactly what you mean re: the passing of the year. This has been a good one for me, too, the first really good one in at least five, so to see it go feels a little sad. However, as I have no reason to doubt the next will be just as good...

I do envy you your poetry group, so much so I may attempt to get one going here. What a jolly start to the new year that could be!

angryparsnip said...

My year was not as good as some and in fact was quite bad but I have enjoyed the times that where nice and that was important.
So now I am really looking forward to a wonderful New Year.
I remember the shock of your illness and I am so very happy that you have recovered so well.
I am sure that this New Year will even better !
I too am envious of your monthly poetry meetings. You have wrote often of them and they sound quite wonderful. Sometimes village life does it better than a cold big city.

cheers, parsnip

Cuby said...

Army wives must be no.1 as their singing is so moving.I love the sound of your poetry group I hope to start one in my village after all the jollities are over. Keep well.

The Weaver of Grass said...

I do hope that any of you who decide to start a Poetry Group make a success of it - it makes for a super afternoon,
Thanks for the comments.

MorningAJ said...

My whole belief system is based around the seasons, so I don't think of the end of the year - just another stage in the turning of time. It means I don't have to do resolutions - which is a good thing with my lack of willpower. :)

Gerry Snape said...

I hope that they get it in quickly as it is about to go global!!
Anyway...you have inspired me to start the penketh poetry group! we start in the new year once a month and I have already got quite a few wanting to join!
Have a great celebration this week end!!