When we are children we are all poets, before self-consciousness takes over. Children love using poetry to record their impressions of the world clearly and simply just as they see it. And what brilliant images they create! ……….. that gently noise …………. the bottle-bee ……… two phrases I remember from children's poems.
  Many of us leave poetry behind. Do we come to believe it is too childish, or that we can't do it 'properly'? Even those of us who do continue to write poetry often keep it as a kind of secret, as though it were something to be ashamed of. Why should we?
  Poetry is the oldest form of telling factual and fictional stories. Rhythm and rhyme made it easier for the storyteller to remember and to entertain the listeners round the fire. Far from being a childish occupation, it was the only way to learn history, mythology, and to understand love, war and loss. Even now the War Poets still bring the experience of the trenches to us clearly. Poetry isn't always serious of course- Chaucer was both rude and funny and writers like Pam Ayres make us smile by putting their own slant on common experiences.
  There can't be a right and a wrong way to write poetry. Look at the variety in any published anthology of the last 50 years! There seems no limit to what poetry is.
  So, what is it that stops people who would really love to have a go?  Can it be fear of being thought sentimental or pretentious? We humans are so strongly inclined to want to express very important events and feelings in a poetic way - just look at the verses in the cards we send each other. A published poem can bring a belly laugh, a rueful smile or tears to our eyes unexpectedly, as it touches a chord in our hearts.
  However when we come to our own poetry, showing that to someone can feel as difficult as making a speech to a crowd who may not be listening, or even throw eggs at us!
  If you are a person who would like to begin writing poetry, take it up again after a long gap, or if you already do write but would like to take it a little further, a poetry group or a night class could be the very thing to build your skill and confidence. In a supportive group your poetry can be polished up, and your constructive opinions on other people's efforts are very much appreciated.
  Here in Sedbergh a small poetry group have been meeting regularly over the past year, expertly tutored by Jonathon (who is a poetry MA student at Lancaster University). Although we would have liked more members we have not advertised because the meeting dates have been a bit wobbly from time to time, and we have had to change the venue occasionally (which has sometimes made it seem more like an underground resistance group than a poetry meeting!).
  Fortunately, from September the CDC will be running an Adult Education Poetry class once a fortnight on a Wednesday and Jonathon will be the tutor for this. If you are interested, please look out for details in the CDC brochure, or contact Chris or Rosie on 21031. All are welcome, and no experience is necessary.
  P.S. Over the past year we underground poets have been very busy and are publishing a short anthology of poetry we have written that will be on sale soon. This may be the first of many, or it could be the one and only, who knows?! Whatever the future may hold, we are bravely (and shyly) planning to launch this collection on Friday 18^th August at 8.00pm in St Andrew's Church Room.
  Refreshments will be provided and tickets will be on sale at Sedbergh Tourist Information Centre, or on arrival at the door.
  We would love to see you there. (And hope you don't throw eggs!)

Helen Bromley