And then I write

From varying places I come
sometimes from nowhere, sometimes left field
sometimes from a nuance of something
Perhaps inspiration or a fledgling spark
that imagination plucks from the cusp
presenting an image to shape and mould
from nothing to essence
from left field to right
form something to everything
And then I write

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North Eastern pleasantries

I'm in Newcastle city again for the week
in situ at present here as we speak
so I thought it polite to give you a peek
of North Eastern pleasantries here

Rise and Fall

Joint Poetry by Venkataraman L.N. and Joseph Kurian

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Thorny Roses

Joint Poetry by Venkataraman L.N. and Joseph Kurian

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Light Moon

Joint Poetry by Venkataraman L.N. and Joseph Kurian

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Two A Real Danger To America Limericks

Artwork by Donnie Purcell

I wrote these limericks back in 2020. After Trump was defeated, I thought he would “go away,” literally and figuratively – go build hotels and golf courses in Russia, or something like that. Didn’t happen, because diseases don’t just go away, they become lethal.

Birmingham Penguin

Met a penguin on the street
in Birmingham city centre
he wasn't saying much but then
I'm not sure he was meant ta'
'Cos he was simply standing there
looking rather splendid
so as with penguins everywhere
he was one I then befriended

Verisimilitude

#2 in the ‘Colloquy’ series from Jemverse

It may be true, it may be not
in wintertime to feel quite hot
that actually would say a lot
as you may well be ill

Yet verisimilitudes may well
get in the way and seem to tell
that ailments are there to quell
with warmth opposed to chill

Sunshine after rain

It rained and rained and blew and blew
felt as it it almost knew
the sunshine there to long eschew
and me inside to stay

The puddles outside deepened still
they lake-like flowed and rippled til
the fickle weather made me ill
and added to the fray

But then the sunshine threw its toys
out of its pram and with good poise
revealed the warmth its strength employs
to welcome a new day

The Evolution of A Relationship From Infatuation to Flatulation

I saw this on Facebook and, like The Bard of Avon, I cannot resist a taking a shot at a fart joke with these eight lines and a limerick

Wander for the day

Planned a walk, it was quite far
but the views would be spectacular
so there was little here to mar
our wander for the day

Yes, we'll be out for several hours
so hoping for some sun not showers
to claim the day and make it ours
in every single way

Start 4

4 of 12 in the ’12 months VI’ series from Jemverse

It's the first day of December
the last month of the year
and just three weeks til Solstice
that day is almost here
when daylight hours get longer
and winter starts to fade
and I begin to hope for time
when warmer ones are made

Life in words (reprise)

Concluding ‘The Word II’ series from Jemverse (10 of 10)

I like writing poems
I write one every day
‘Cos there’s lots in life to write about
and it’s nice to have a say
I’ll write about the sunshine
and I’ll write about the sea
I’ll write about ‘most anything
and sometimes simply me

The poet and some troublesome words (reprise)

9 of 10 in ‘The Word II’ series from Jemverse

As a candle burned into the night
the poet played a game
Chasing words that tried to hide
behind the flickering flame

But however hard the poet tried
he could not catch but one
The words were quick to disappear
as they were having fun

A Few More Aging To Perfection Limericks

Bond of words (reprise)

8 of 12 in ‘The Word II’ series from Jemverse

Though similar paths each day I tread
there is always inspiration
in the things I see around me
to encourage recitation

But in case of memory lapses
my little notebook always carried
allows me to capture what I see
so that sights to words are married

My best words (reprise)

7 of 10 in ‘The Word II’ series from Jemverse

There’s a place close by where my best words are found
Sometimes it is close to the sea
But at others it is up on the hills where I walk
And most times where I happen to be
It’s a place of deep soul and of feelings and thought
and emotion wrapped up into one
For me it’s the exuberant quality of life
Born from a love of the sun

Wordsmith (reprise)

6 of 10 in ‘The Word II’ series from Jemverse

Deep in the silence of a warm summer night
I encountered a thought and held on to it tight
With lucidity born of an erudite mind
It was something quite special for me to find

For it spoke of a gift bequeathed to a few
Which, when spoken aloud gave birth to the new
The craft of a wordsmith writing a verse
Born of the one but to many dispersed

Just a few words (reprise)

5 of 10 in ‘The Word II’ series from Jemverse

Just a few words is all it takes
To change the way I feel
Escapism? Maybe sometimes
But they have the power to heal

In just a few words each morning
I will find a way to say
Something new to bring good cheer
And brighten up my day

Wordplay (reprise)

4 of 10 in ‘The Word II’ series from Jemverse

Wordplay is a marvellous thing
Finding ways to rhyme
It needs patience and vocabulary
And occasionally time

Syllabic sequencing is key
For some words just don’t fit
They need to flow right off the page
Needing humour, yes; and wit

A Thoughtful (?) Limerick or Avoid Paralysis Through Analysis Limerick

Fortunately, not my problem

Word camera (reprise)

3 of 10 in ‘The Word II’ series from Jemverse

I have a new ideas book the old one’s full up now
Something to carry round with me, comforting somehow
It’s not unlike a camera capturing words I see each day
These pages are my memory card recording what I write and say
Digitalisation in reverse with manual edits done
My words are transferred to the Mac for more ethereal fun
But there’s the rub, for I have both, a digital one and paper
Original scribbles there to cherish for every published caper

My words (reprise)

2 of 10 in ‘The Word II’ series from Jemverse

I am your words there for the taking
sometimes accepted sometimes not.
Yet I remain. Captured, I am released
yet no malice there, or jealousy.
For I am yours and will always be
to use as you will, to leave as you choose.
When you find me I am crafted
like clay to the potter to form or substance;
a thing of beauty. For I am your words

Open Past

Joint Poetry by Venkataraman L.N. and Joseph Kurian

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Little Words (reprise)

1 of 10 in ‘The Word II’ series from Jemverse

I'm going to write an extra poem today
I'm sure no-one will mind
As it helps me to express myself
And most days to unwind
Poems are like sketches
As they capture little words
And paint pictures of the nuances
the normal and absurd

Bringing Smiles

[#16 in the ‘Past to Present’ series from Jemverse]

One hundred sixteen years ago
'Old B' he wrote some lines
and sent them to Molteno
in those now long distant times
I can't quite read his writing
but I know so well the scene
on the postcard that he used
as it is a place I've been

Ticking the box

Walked a circle round the airport
the rain was in the air
and it was fairly windy
but we loved being there
The three of us and Wolfgang
ten thousand steps then home for tea
is always going to tick the box
in Shoreham by the sea

Tortured Heart

Joint Poetry by Venkataraman L.N. and Joseph Kurian

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