So I’m spreading the word even more for my expanding Poetry World, but in particular the excellent charity Help for Heroes I support, promote, collect and donate to and for. In actual fact I don’t think I have ever stopped “spreading the word” since my launch into publication with my first book in April 2014, but now I seem to be spreading the proverbial “word” even further.
This is evidenced by my increased recognition and “complimented on” levels, including reading my poems on cruise ships, promotions in local newspapers and publications, some with regular poem columns, and also radio interviews and entertaining gigs. Add to this an increase in requested commissioned poems and provision of reviews, I think “the word” is pretty well and truly spread!
First poem then and has to be my poem, Success?
Success?
There’s no point in just sitting back
If you would like to win a prize,
So apply yourself and work hard
To ensure with success you’ll rise.
As many folks go only half hearted
Or don’t put themselves out at all,
So if faced by determined opponents
It’s certain they won’t rise but fall.
Thus in various types of competition
Be they in sport, achievements or life,
A total commitment will be required
With probably sacrifices and strife.
Because nothing comes from nothing
So mostly we must have a good go,
For in weak or lacklustre attempts
There will be no success to show.
Thus it all seems straightforward
As the harder we try we’ll succeed,
But again that isn’t always the case
When we try hard to do the deed,
For if things can go wrong they will
As “Murphy’s Law” will educate,
So now our determination is needed
Or could get shut outside the gate.
But in summing up on succeeding
An important point must be taken,
So in attempts at success or winning
Don’t leave others low or forsaken.
For in all aspects of our existence
A sacred rule is observed with pride,
That in our efforts to be successful
Be honest and don’t push others aside.
*
Quite an opening to this blog then I guess, but if you are going to spread it, spread it well, so I’ll continue in that manner with a very popular short poem that was actually the lead and back page poem for my 3rd book. Seems a long while ago now but still very relevant, so here come Forward Gear..
Forward Gear
The years on you keep rolling by
Whatever your health, or state of mind,
And there is nothing you can change
So best leave time past behind.
Though some lessons can be learned
From previous mistakes made,
For however much they affect you
At your own feet they were laid.
So move forward with new joy
And all sad regrets you must ban,
Whilst not to rue what you can’t do
Just give thanks for what you can!
*
Moving on I will just mention again my eleventh birthday (of publication) as my first book “Poetic Views of Life” came out on April 14th 2014 and since then I have gone beyond my most wildest of dreams and hopes with book sales, recognition and now about £12,000 raised for Help for Heroes. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me.
Obviously I have not done this alone so to thank just a few, Rex Sumner my first seven books publisher, James Harvey my current publisher and excellent website etc Guru (Soulsong Publishing}. James has published my last eight books, and much more. Recognition also to many, Deb B etc, who have encouraged and supported but any more is almost impossible to cover here, (more comprehensive lists are in all my book Acknowledgements) so just a last and recent shout out to the excellent Pat Cantwell who makes the most wonderful anniversary and greetings cards that have added well over £140 to my Help for Heroes donations from the cards she has given me to sell. Thanks Pat!
JOKE TIME : –
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Swimming with dolphins was expensive, but swimming with sharks cost an arm and a leg.
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My laptop caught a heavy cold because I left windows open.
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My mate said his daughter was courting, but that he would judge that.
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Many people are prisoners of their phone, hence they’re called cell phones.
Next poem from a desperately waving Ted & Beth who I promised in last news blog would get a mention, so calm down bears, here is a poem from your OWN book “Tea For Two”. Poetic Antics of Ted & Beth.
Sailor Bears
Ted and Beth now want a boat
And plan to take it out to sea,
But I know that neither can swim
So it is a very big worry to me.
They just think I’m being silly though
And said they’ll be safe and sound,
But I’m not really too sure of that
As in a paddling pool nearly drowned,
So let alone going out to the open sea
With hard navigation and deep water,
Making me dread just what could happen
As they’ll be like bears to a slaughter.
Naturally “Captain” Ted disputes all this
While Beth always backs him up too,
So they are still determined to go for it
And give the Coastguard more to do.
Now Ted points out all his experience
But I don’t think a boat in a bath is much,
With Beth even getting panicky with that
So it’s just Ted’s uniformed hopes as such.
For he’s no knowledge about boats at sea
But Beth still believes he can do it all.
So it seems a nautical disaster awaits
Like a sort of “ducking” before a fall.
Now I did though have one more try
To make our seafaring bears see sense,
And although they said they’d continue
I could tell they were both very tense,
With Beth clutching her water wings
That in truth she cannot quite wear.
And even Ted seemed less sure now
But determines to be a sailing bear.
So now they are all prepared to set off
With more than a little hint of doubt.
But luckily it was saved before the start,
When they saw the tide had gone out.
*
That poem of course quite topical for all my recent, and to be continued, sailing and cruising. Happy now bears?
More news then, and I’m very proud to expand on item mentioned earlier in that for the second cruise running I was allowed to read my poems to the ship, which was again attended by quite a large audience despite there being many other activities going on around the ship. This of course helped me sell more books that donate to Help for Heroes.
Following meeting a lady from Langney Eastbourne library at my recent Tesco collection, I called in to see her, and so there are a few plans of me reading my poems, talking and donating some of my books to the library, all to be confirmed and arranged soon.
As usual before the last poem I must again thank all you folks for reading this, your interest and support etc, as well as buying my books. THANK YOU.
Last poem follows, and is from my 14th book (Poetic Wisdom) and is also quickly becoming a favourite at my readings, so here comes “When the Seagulls are Sleeping”…
When Seagulls are Sleeping
When the seagulls are all sleeping
Then the lovers come out to play,
For there will be no screeching cries
To disturb romance now holding sway.
So in a very silent world of intimacy
They will be holding each other tight,
Without any need to let emotions rest
So cuddle closely through the night.
Because although lovers can retreat
Into their own personal secret cell,
Any atmosphere of a quiet serenity
Will serve private activities well.
For we hear of soft seductive music
That can set a loving sensuous mood,
Which will encourage a closeness
And ensure together they are glued.
Therefore when seagulls are sleeping
And not screeching across the skies,
Behind the scene and in their privacy
Lovers will gaze into each others eyes.
But I think we must gradually allow
That even if a raucous noise occurred,
Ecstatic joys of love would continue
With no need to say a single word.
So whether seagulls are asleep or not
The lovers peaceful calm will prevail.
For as if floating alone in their ship
Into their own ocean they could sail.
*
Yes, a very nice and appreciated Luuuuuuuurrrvve poem.
So again thanks to you all for support and encouragement as The Journey Continues with successfully SPREADING of the Word…
Love, Light and Smiles,
Laurie xx
Much up to date news and future plans here, with a humble recognition of success & all the people who have helped.
Hi Laurie, This is a great blog and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Excellent photos of you too, very professional my friend.
Many thanks Elaine for kind comments..
So pleased you enjoyed my blog and work.
Amazing as always
Thanks so much