poetry – lucy crispin, poet

different pictures of happiness

It’s that time of year when I start fulminating, inwardly or out loud, about DFS ads and the Family Merrie Christmas Ideal as perpetuated therein. I don’t know why it’s DFS in particular that gets the sharp end of my tongue—everyone’s at it—but there’s just something about those cosily-jumpered families laughing and snuggling on their spanking new sofas which gets my goat. The latest iteration has caused me, as it does every year, to think about families, the different shapes happiness can take, and the difference between loneliness and solitude. I like the way this poem by Minnie Bruce Pratt explores that difference (among other things). Here is ‘The Sound of One Fork‘.

news, poetry, publications

a purple patch

Nov 27, 2024 #a box of frightened, #poem, #poetry, #the beginning of the end by Lucy Crispin

It’s nice to be having one of those. One of my poems was chosen as winner of a competition, with another being longlisted too. You can read and hear them here, but this is the one that won:

poetry, poetry appreciation, reflection

clamouring toward it

Nov 12, 2024 #despair, #election, #halleluiah, #hope, #love, #Mary Oliver, #poem, #poetry, #Sheenah Pugh, #sometimes by Lucy Crispin

A poem, today, to remind us that good things can happen. No, not Sheenag Pugh’s ‘Sometimes‘. Although I’m always happy to revisit that, line 6 is a bit close to home at the moment. Instead I offer you a poem by the wonderful Mary Oliver which someone brought to a poetry group I facilitate (on 6th November. A lot of poems reminding us to be hopeful were brought that day!). See what you make of Mary Oliver’s ‘Halleluiah‘.

news, poetry, publications

more cheerful news

Oct 29, 2024 #grief, #love, #poem, #poetry, #the two mercies, #Winchester poetry prize by Lucy Crispin

As the competition anthology is now out (To Make Us Real), I can publish this poem here. It was commended in the Winchester poetry prize. As you will see, it’s another from the series about my mum. I hope you like it (if that is the right word!):

events, poetry, poetry appreciation

london

Oct 16, 2024 #Blake, #despair, #London, #poem, #poetry, #Tate Gallery, #Van Gogh, #we read to know we are not alone, #William Blake by Lucy Crispin

Thirty-six hours in the capital were enough to have me reaching for the Blake. Join me for a while in ‘London‘.

poetry, poetry appreciation

uncomplicated

Oct 1, 2024 #Bertol Brecht, #Brecft, #George Herbert, #Herbert, #pleasure, #pleasures, #poem, #poetry, #prayer by Lucy Crispin

The 42 group has been talking about pleasures recently, and I was reminded of this poem, to which one of the group members introduced me a while ago. I think it’s delightful—a great example of a list poem. See what you think of ‘Pleasures‘ by Bertol Brecht.

poetry, poetry appreciation

something completely different

Sep 17, 2024 #Anagremmer, #Oerreira, #Peter Perreira, #poem, #poetry, #politics, #wit, #wordplay by Lucy Crispin

One of those poems that’s very pleasing for those of a playing-with-words bent. Here’s ‘Anagrammer‘ by Peter Perreira for you to enjoy.

news, poetry, publications

cheerful news

Sep 16, 2024 #getting the summer clothes out of storage, #poem, #poetry, #Shelley Memorial Prize by Lucy Crispin

Hello dear readers. It’s very cheering to be able to say I won a prize in a competition (although you have won third prize in a competition sounds very much like Monopoly!). ‘getting the summer clothes out of storage’ is one of the poems from the new book (light-of-day date as yet unknown), but you can read it here, if you’d like to.
Usual post will be up tomorrow. See you then.

poetry appreciation, reflection

emptying the handbag of my mind

Sep 3, 2024 #acceptance, #Anthony Hopkins, #Berry, #despair, #fear, #Freud's Last session, #Frost, #grief, #Keats, #Ode on Melancholy, #pain, #poem, #poetry, #RObert Frost, #sorrow, #the peace of wild things, #wendell berry by Lucy Crispin

Last time I said I’d return to Keats and ‘glut[ting] thy sorrow on a morning rose‘, but I’ve got a bit distracted by a Frost poem. Maybe it’s not distraction, though. Perhaps I haven’t had enough coffee yet to remember why the poem joined up—in my head at least—with the Keats and, according to my notes, Frankenstein and the recent film Freud’s Last Session (!). Blimey. Perhaps best just read it before I say any more. Here’s ‘Acceptance‘ by Robert Frost.

poetry, poetry appreciation, reflection

talking or lying…?

Aug 6, 2024 #connection, #courage, #despair, #fear, #honesty, #intimacy, #isolation, #Larkin, #Philip Larkin, #poem, #poetry, #relationship, #Talking in Bed by Lucy Crispin

A friend of mine recently dealt with a potentially tricky situation between us with tremendous grace and courage. Their honesty brought to mind this poem about its opposite—a poem I have long loved with a deep sense of melancholy, fearing that it spoke The Truth. It’s always a great relief when I remember the poem speaks the poet’s truth, with which we all may resonate sometimes, but which need not be The Whole or Only. See what you think about Larkin’s ‘Talking in Bed‘:

reviews

“A new and compelling voice, at once both disciplined and passionate, both serious and moving.”
— RV Bailey

“great fluency, directness and command – a really impressive achievement. Every line feels deep and true, and very important in the most direct and clear way, and I hope [‘the two mercies’] is read and treasured by many’

—Clare Shaw

“… the lift of [‘bread of heaven’], steadily rising from the mundanity of sliced bread to an intimation of grace, all managed in a plain conversational style is quite something to behold”

—Greta Stoddart

“… Astonishing precision and accuracy… rhythmically and sonically superb.”
—Martyn Crucefix

Tag: poetry