She says "My sentiments exactly - without the cabbages".

I am obviously in poetry mode, and was introduced to this form of poetry in another group I belong. It can be quite fun.
Anchored Tersets
Anchored tersets are a new poetic form created for the Northern Poetry Library by Lead Poet Lisa Metthews.
Terset is an umbrella term combining ‘tercet’ – a three line poetical term with ‘terse’ ie  brief.
The anchor refers to the punctuation placed on the fourth line. The poem consisting of four lines, made of three lines with one word on each line and the fourth line is the punctuation mark.

MARGARET’S
ALWAYS 
RIGHT
.

RUTH
UNDERSTANDS
TERSETS
?

NEGATIVITY
WILL
REDUCE
.

NATTERING
WITH 
REFRESHMENT
.

REGRET
WORRY
NEVER
.

Margaret S

I came across this poem (I think it qualifies, not sure really) recently, which struck a chord with me, as we are being told that things will never be the same - there will be a new normal.
See what you think.
The terminus is not where we stay; it is the beginning of a new journey.
It is where we reach out beyond, where we experience new adventures.
It is where we get off to enter new territory, to explore new horizons, to extend our whole being.
It is a place touching the future.
It opens up new vistas.
It is the gateway to eternity.
Margaret S

They said the world was closed today
 So I went to have a look,
 I found it with the shutters down
 And the phone was off the hook.
 So I stood there for a little while
 But no one was around,
 Then silence came and startled me
 With the most alarming sound.
 I asked him where the others were,
 And why the streets were bare,
 He whispered ‘Life had ran away
 While death was playing there’
 ‘Oh no’ I said ‘It can’t be true
 For life is not afraid’
 ‘But no one ever goes’ he said
‘Where death has ever played.’
I understood and walked away
 As Hope was standing there
 With Courage in her afterglow
 And the sunlight in her hair.
 She said ‘Go home to those you love
 This is no place to be,
 For if we walk these streets today
 Then no one shall be free’.
She threw her light to lead the way
 And showed me where to go,
 The very road that life had gone
 Where the future flowers grow.
 Then death showed me another way
 But I didn’t want to look,
 So I stumbled home in time for tea
 And I read another book.
 It was called The World is Closed Today
 And the streets we shouldn’t roam,
 The first line said ‘Just please be safe’
And the ending - ‘Stay at Home’.

Stay safe Xxx

Just would like to say a big thankyou to you and the choir members who have submitted interesting and entertaining items to the newsletter. I’ve enjoyed doing the quizzes and puzzles and hearing what people are doing to pass the time in lockdown.
I heard a poem last week on the today programme, read by Mishal Husain, on the subject of time and it seemed to me to be appropriate in the challenging and very different times we’re all living in.
I wondered if it would be suitable to share with our members in the newsletter.

"On Time" by Kahlil Gibran

And an Astronomer said, Master what of time?
   And he answered: 
   You would measure time the measureless and the immeasurable,
   You would adjust your conduct and even direct the course of your spirit according to hours and seasons.
   Of time you would make a stream upon whose bank you would sit and watch it flowing

   Yet the timeless in you is aware of life’s timelessness,
   And Knows that yesterday is but todays memory and tomorrow is todays dream
  And that that which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space.
   Who among you does not feel that his power to love is boundless?
   And yet who does not feel that very love, though boundless, encompassed within the centre of his being, and moving not from love thought to love thought, nor from love deeds to other love deeds?
   And is not time even as love is, undivided and space less?

   But if in your thought you must measure time into seasons, let each season encircle all the other seasons
   And let today embrace the past with remembrance and the future with longing.

From The Prophet (Knopf, 1923)
Kahlil Gibran 1883-1931

Stay safe and well
Best Regards
Glynis

As I was standing  the queue to go into the supermarket, I let my mind wander.  I remembered a poem I learned at school, by John Masefield called Sea Fever.
I am sure it has many faults, but here goes:

I must go down to the shops again
to the lonely streets and the sky
And all I ask is a sanitized trolley
and a hand to steer her by.
And the shelves stacked with toilet rolls, their white sheets shaking
And a grey mist descending on my face,
As I wait in the queue as the grey dawn is breaking.

We’re self-isolating
(a term we’re now hating)
and find that there’s plenty to do:
we’ve each read a book,
tried out new things to cook,
and paused now and then for a brew.
 
We’ve done some Sudoku
and emailed to folk who
we haven’t contacted for years.
We’ve painted a wall
and hoovered the hall,
the chairs, and the poor doggy’s ears.
 
We’ve sorted the books
and nailed up some hooks
and kept pretty busy each day.
But it’s time to record
that we’re now a bit bored…..
but watch daytime telly? – No way!
 
We’ll try some keep fit
(well maybe a bit!)
and we’ll sort out a jigsaw or two.
We’ll even try knitting,
and weather permitting
we might light our old barbecue.  
 
We’ll go out for some air
whilst taking great care
to keep two full metres between us;
or risk driving the car
to the beach – it’s not far -
while hoping that no-one has seen us.
 
We’ll keep occupied
both out and inside
with any pursuits whatsoever.
But no matter how bored
you can all rest assured –
watch daytime TV? – no not ever!

© Cathy Barnes 30.03.2020