UNEARTH
Something to say.
Like Beowulf, we all have a word hoard, a treasured store of words that tell others what we think and how we really feel.
It’s your vocabulary, accent, vernacular, grammar, tone, pace, rhythm and pitch. You use it when you talk without a second thought. When your feelings are strong, you use it with passion and intent, with love and power, to show empathy and eloquence, for persuasion, insistence and impact. With your values and beliefs, that word hoard is your voice, the vocal identity by which you are known, and the way you get things done.
Writing poetry cleared my voice.
I was born in 1958 and started writing when I was 44. It evolved from keeping a journal. To get some help, I went on a course run by the Arvon Foundation led by John Hegley and Paula Meehan, and joined a poetry group in Kendal, Cumbria, reading at open mic events. Initially, my poems were self-reflective and cathartic. A few years later, I started writing for and about other people. More recently, I’ve been writing about poetry itself, the experience of writing it and reading aloud, of expanding my vocabulary and developing my vocal identity. The poems on the site are grouped according to those three stages of my writing.
Poetry has improved who I am more than anything else in my life. Except for my two wonderful daughters whose effect on me continues to be poetic.
I live in Cockermouth near the Lake District, England, where I’m an active member of Poets Out Loud.
Whenever we talk, we use our word hoard.
Poetry is a great way to develop it.
It improves your vocal identity.
We use our words in everything we say.
Writing poetry helped me find my voice, expand my word hoard, and talk more effectively.
Why not give it a try.
If you would like to be in touch, it would be great to hear from you.
