Welcome to our fourth session together, creating poetry inspired by our homes and the objects in them.
Before we get stuck in, here’s a short video to encourage you with your writing.
Three short videos follow, each introducing a type of poem for you to enjoy creating. After each video there are visual examples to guide you.
Please type your own poems into the ‘comments’ section at the bottom of this page. We hope you enjoy these writing exercises, and are really looking forward to reading your poems!
Session 4, writing exercise 1: Group Poem
As I say, this is an experiment!
In the comments box at the bottom, type your word or phrase in, in response to the word ‘bathroom’.
Then, look through all the words and phrases that are posted, and choose a few that stand out to you. Arrange them into a poem. No rhyming required!Good luck! Let’s see if we can do this together!
Session 4, writing exercise 2: Cinquain Poems
Cinquains have five lines. Each line has a set number of words.
Here’s a picture of how the lines and words work, along with my effort.
Session 4, writing exercise 3: Free Verse
Free verse is a wonderfully liberating form of poetry- no rhythm or rhyme, any length you like – go with the flow!
Pick an object in your bedroom that has significance for you. Then write, freely! Post your poem in the comments box below.
That’s all our writing exercises this week. We hope you enjoyed them. Perhaps you could create more poems this week and explore the three forms – our own experimental group poem, Cinquains and Free Verse – further.
Hope to see you back for more poems next week.
With love from the Time and Place team, Jess, Keith and Liz xx
Perfect – thanks for getting us started, Gail! Looking forward to more words and sentences that we can join together in our experimental poem!
Irene Donaldson
June 22, 2020 5:08 pm
(Bathroom). Luscious!
Irene Donaldson
June 22, 2020 5:10 pm
Lotions and potions in many colours and scents
Keith Oliver
June 23, 2020 9:00 am
Thinking of the last segment, I am thankful to you Liz for another fabulous week of support and encouragement to try some creative activity. Alongside this the connections and teamwork between you, Jess and myself and the lovely volunteers we are blessed to have. I have really enjoyed trying the ideas thus far and loved reading everyone else’s poems. Thank you X.
A kaleidoscope of rainbow bubbles scatter in a breath
Jess
June 23, 2020 9:23 pm
Bathroom lines:
A bath creates a steamed lobster of me
(And)
I step from steam all sparkling clean 🧼
Jonah Desalesa
June 23, 2020 9:30 pm
Bathroom line:
Steam in the mirror, Steam out the door
Jonah Desalesa
June 23, 2020 9:31 pm
Bathroom:
Looking for the soap that I dropped on the floor.
Lucy Jobbins
June 24, 2020 9:37 am
bathroom – relax, bubbles and fluffy towels
Tracey Shorthouse
June 24, 2020 10:07 am
Bathroom – relax – candles – bubbles
Liz Jennings
June 24, 2020 2:15 pm
Okey dokey, I think we’ve got enough to get started in mixing and matching lines to create a new poem. Here’s my go: you’ll see I’ve chosen random words and phrases from the suggestions – feel free to use whole lines or not, as you feel. There’s no right or wrong, so have some fun and experiment!
A rush of water
Steam
Bathbomb fizzing
I step in
And become
A lobster
Ha! That was fun – look forward to seeing your poem soon!
Love, Liz Jx
Keith Oliver
June 25, 2020 2:37 pm
Mirror, mirror on the wall, have to reset as I am so tall!!
Brigitta Rae
June 25, 2020 7:00 pm
Shampoo’s and lotions
Brigitta Rae
June 25, 2020 7:08 pm
Cinquain poem
Dream
shouting out
you scare me
I am not awake
sleep
Wow, this packs a punch! I love the directness of this poem – it grabs my attention and the brevity of the lines really works with the feeling of shouting out in the midst of a bad dream. How did you find this type of poem to put together? You chose your words so well, Liz Jx
This is a really interesting experience to have shared – my husband also shouts out in his sleep alot, but it’s not something I’ve ever read about from the inside-out perspective. Thanks so much for sharing your poem, Liz Jx
Brigitta Rae
June 25, 2020 7:16 pm
Bedroom My big bed sits in the middle of the room Two separate duvets dressed in blue adorn my bed One duvet for me, one duvet for him I make this bed with its two separate duvets almost every day As I make my bed my mind often wanders To a land far away and long ago My Oma’s big bed sat in the middle of the room Two separate duvets adorned her bed I remember lovely crisp fresh smelling and newly ironed duvets One for her, the other spare, no need to share My Oma no longer, but as… Read more »
Lovely! Makes me want to go and have a bath! The images work beautifully together, you’d never guess it was a patchwork poem – seamlessly done! Thanks, Liz Jx
Great cinquain! Your words are beautifully chosen – did you find the form a natural fit for your writing? This has a lightness of touch that I really like. Thank you, Liz Jx
You’ve perfectly captured a moment of efficient routine, Brigitta! Those phrases work really well together, thanks for sharing! Liz Jx
Tracey Shorthouse
June 25, 2020 7:41 pm
The Salt Lamp The salt lamp in my bedroom, gives off a soft glow Warning off unwanted demons in my mind No worries of the dark creeping in Playing havoc and creating monsters I sometimes wake in the night, and turn towards my lamp Smiling, knowing I am safe But if I get out of bed, I must turn all the lights on To be doubly sure that I am secure Safe in my minds eye, those demons that the dementia doth cause Hallucinations which only happen when my brain gets tired The dementia fights to take control But I… Read more »
Full of atmosphere – thanks so much, Tracey. You’ve captured a feeling of the comfort that your salt lamp gives. I particularly like that it’s a salt lamp – those two words together are rather beautiful, aren’t they? Salt and light. Thank you for sharing, Liz Jx
Perfect! That would make a lovely goodnight poem to recite with a loved one as you tuck them in! Thank you for sharing, Liz Jx
Gail Gregory
June 26, 2020 8:03 am
Good Morning
Here is my Free Verse Poem
Im square and take up lots of space.
Im squishy bouncy and soft.
Im covered in a luxurious throw.
Smooth, silky and soft.
I have a little hide away place.
underneath the mattress.
So lift me up look inside!
Wooo lots a storage!
Why when there is storage,
Do we fill it to the top
Do I need this bedding
Im gonna be so hot!
3 duvets 6 blankets
Sheets and sheets galore
It is quite possible
Im gonna break the floor!
Thanks Gail, your poem made me laugh out loud! I’m picturing you falling through the floor – and having a lovely soft landing on all those duvets and blankets! Liz Jx
Gail Gregory
June 26, 2020 8:06 am
Hi Here is my Bathroom Poem
This is where I like to be alone
Relaxing in the bubble zone
Lotions, potions, colours and scents
This is definitely not for gents!
Fluffy towels
Clean and bright
Lots of pampering out of sight
These are great, Irene – how did you find it, counting words for each line? I like the way you’ve described dreams as ‘Vividly loud, Here then gone’ – that captures an experience of dreaming that I can relate to. Thanks for sharing, Liz Jx
Lucy Jobbins
June 29, 2020 4:54 pm
Keith Oliver’s poems for this week! Dreaming (cinquain) Dreaming Bob Dylan Complex, nobel poet Inspired my guitar playing Enigma Whatever – In my office (narrative poem) Described by others as brave Prefer to be happy Listening to Dylan, Young and Cohen Rather switch to S and G Or Mumford and Son and think of myself as hype Whatever that means Sitting in my office Pondering with my thoughts on the day Music and exercise certainly helps Screen flickers and promises not to slip away A bit like my intentions Whatever that seems Turn up the volume Take in the… Read more »
That’s a great last line, Keith! A great building through the poem of your ‘Whatever that…’ lines – very effective. How did you find the word-counting for the cinquain? I really like what you wrote – thanks so much for posting, and thanks to Lucy too, Liz Jx
Thank you Liz and Thank you Lucy for both of your support and encouragement all of which means a lot to me. Kx
Frances Isaacs
July 14, 2020 10:09 am
Week 4 Cinquain 1 Dreams 2 Often bad 3 And frightening too 4 Making me scared rigid 1 Nightmares Free Verse – In My Bedroom Ours is a sunny room. When I awake the sunlight reflects on the wall opposite my bed and slides gradually across and by the time is reaches the bookshelf, it’s 8.00 am. Time to get up and tidy the clothes from the day before. Set out fresh things for a new day. I open a drawer full of things from my past for no discernible reason. What greets my eyes are things I used to love and have treasures for decades. My teddy’s… Read more »
Bathroom – Clean and Bright
Perfect – thanks for getting us started, Gail! Looking forward to more words and sentences that we can join together in our experimental poem!
(Bathroom). Luscious!
Lotions and potions in many colours and scents
Thinking of the last segment, I am thankful to you Liz for another fabulous week of support and encouragement to try some creative activity. Alongside this the connections and teamwork between you, Jess and myself and the lovely volunteers we are blessed to have. I have really enjoyed trying the ideas thus far and loved reading everyone else’s poems. Thank you X.
Bathroom line:
Every morning, every evening
Brush, brush, spit!
Love this Liz!
The cabinet, high on the wall
Bathbombs fizzing, colouring the water blue, pink and gold
Overcrowded shelves and cupboards
Gentle steaming of mirrors and wafts of perfumed air
A rush of water disappearing into clouds of bubbles
Love this line Irene!
A kaleidoscope of rainbow bubbles scatter in a breath
Bathroom lines:
A bath creates a steamed lobster of me
(And)
I step from steam all sparkling clean 🧼
Bathroom line:
Steam in the mirror, Steam out the door
Bathroom:
Looking for the soap that I dropped on the floor.
bathroom – relax, bubbles and fluffy towels
Bathroom – relax – candles – bubbles
Okey dokey, I think we’ve got enough to get started in mixing and matching lines to create a new poem. Here’s my go: you’ll see I’ve chosen random words and phrases from the suggestions – feel free to use whole lines or not, as you feel. There’s no right or wrong, so have some fun and experiment!
A rush of water
Steam
Bathbomb fizzing
I step in
And become
A lobster
Ha! That was fun – look forward to seeing your poem soon!
Love, Liz Jx
Mirror, mirror on the wall, have to reset as I am so tall!!
Shampoo’s and lotions
Cinquain poem
Dream
shouting out
you scare me
I am not awake
sleep
Wow, this packs a punch! I love the directness of this poem – it grabs my attention and the brevity of the lines really works with the feeling of shouting out in the midst of a bad dream. How did you find this type of poem to put together? You chose your words so well, Liz Jx
My nights are often disturbed by dreams and I’m told I often shout out.
so really I was drawing on my own experiences.
This is a really interesting experience to have shared – my husband also shouts out in his sleep alot, but it’s not something I’ve ever read about from the inside-out perspective. Thanks so much for sharing your poem, Liz Jx
Bedroom My big bed sits in the middle of the room Two separate duvets dressed in blue adorn my bed One duvet for me, one duvet for him I make this bed with its two separate duvets almost every day As I make my bed my mind often wanders To a land far away and long ago My Oma’s big bed sat in the middle of the room Two separate duvets adorned her bed I remember lovely crisp fresh smelling and newly ironed duvets One for her, the other spare, no need to share My Oma no longer, but as… Read more »
Wonderful how the bed took you back to your Oma, Brigitta – thanks so much for sharing this beautiful poem, Liz Jx
Bathroom Poem
A rush of water
Causing a kaleidoscope of rainbow bubbles to scatter in a breath
Candles lit,
Gentle steaming of mirrors
I step in and relax
Lovely! Makes me want to go and have a bath! The images work beautifully together, you’d never guess it was a patchwork poem – seamlessly done! Thanks, Liz Jx
Thank you Liz 🙂
Cinquain Poem
Dreams
Can be
Worrying, Peaceful, Long
Or short, then I
Awake
Great cinquain! Your words are beautifully chosen – did you find the form a natural fit for your writing? This has a lightness of touch that I really like. Thank you, Liz Jx
I had to think really hard about this one to be honest, I got the first three lines, then it took me a while until things click into place. x
That hard work and effort really paid off with a solid piece of poetry, Tracey. I’m so glad you wrote it, thanks for sharing it, Liz Jx
Cabinet high on the wall
Clean and bright
Every morning, every night
Brush brush spit
You’ve perfectly captured a moment of efficient routine, Brigitta! Those phrases work really well together, thanks for sharing! Liz Jx
The Salt Lamp The salt lamp in my bedroom, gives off a soft glow Warning off unwanted demons in my mind No worries of the dark creeping in Playing havoc and creating monsters I sometimes wake in the night, and turn towards my lamp Smiling, knowing I am safe But if I get out of bed, I must turn all the lights on To be doubly sure that I am secure Safe in my minds eye, those demons that the dementia doth cause Hallucinations which only happen when my brain gets tired The dementia fights to take control But I… Read more »
Full of atmosphere – thanks so much, Tracey. You’ve captured a feeling of the comfort that your salt lamp gives. I particularly like that it’s a salt lamp – those two words together are rather beautiful, aren’t they? Salt and light. Thank you for sharing, Liz Jx
Hi here is my Cinquain Poem
Sleep
Eyes
Shut tight
Darkeness or light?
Duvet wrapped, pillow puffed
Night!
Thank you Gail
Perfect! That would make a lovely goodnight poem to recite with a loved one as you tuck them in! Thank you for sharing, Liz Jx
Good Morning
Here is my Free Verse Poem
Im square and take up lots of space.
Im squishy bouncy and soft.
Im covered in a luxurious throw.
Smooth, silky and soft.
I have a little hide away place.
underneath the mattress.
So lift me up look inside!
Wooo lots a storage!
Why when there is storage,
Do we fill it to the top
Do I need this bedding
Im gonna be so hot!
3 duvets 6 blankets
Sheets and sheets galore
It is quite possible
Im gonna break the floor!
Thanks Gail, your poem made me laugh out loud! I’m picturing you falling through the floor – and having a lovely soft landing on all those duvets and blankets! Liz Jx
Hi Here is my Bathroom Poem
This is where I like to be alone
Relaxing in the bubble zone
Lotions, potions, colours and scents
This is definitely not for gents!
Fluffy towels
Clean and bright
Lots of pampering out of sight
thank you Gail
Lovely! Those lines came together really well, Gail! Thanks so much, Liz Jx
Here are Irene’s Cinquains:
Dreams
Vividly loud
Here then gone
Wonderful places and memories
Revisited
Sleep
Always evasive
Optimistic calm before
The nightly battle rages
Defeated!
These are great, Irene – how did you find it, counting words for each line? I like the way you’ve described dreams as ‘Vividly loud, Here then gone’ – that captures an experience of dreaming that I can relate to. Thanks for sharing, Liz Jx
Keith Oliver’s poems for this week! Dreaming (cinquain) Dreaming Bob Dylan Complex, nobel poet Inspired my guitar playing Enigma Whatever – In my office (narrative poem) Described by others as brave Prefer to be happy Listening to Dylan, Young and Cohen Rather switch to S and G Or Mumford and Son and think of myself as hype Whatever that means Sitting in my office Pondering with my thoughts on the day Music and exercise certainly helps Screen flickers and promises not to slip away A bit like my intentions Whatever that seems Turn up the volume Take in the… Read more »
That’s a great last line, Keith! A great building through the poem of your ‘Whatever that…’ lines – very effective. How did you find the word-counting for the cinquain? I really like what you wrote – thanks so much for posting, and thanks to Lucy too, Liz Jx
Thank you Liz and Thank you Lucy for both of your support and encouragement all of which means a lot to me. Kx
Week 4 Cinquain 1 Dreams 2 Often bad 3 And frightening too 4 Making me scared rigid 1 Nightmares Free Verse – In My Bedroom Ours is a sunny room. When I awake the sunlight reflects on the wall opposite my bed and slides gradually across and by the time is reaches the bookshelf, it’s 8.00 am. Time to get up and tidy the clothes from the day before. Set out fresh things for a new day. I open a drawer full of things from my past for no discernible reason. What greets my eyes are things I used to love and have treasures for decades. My teddy’s… Read more »