Blogette Number 1.

A Blogette is a short or small blog.

Today, January the 11th, I was guest poet/writer/speaker at a church ‘Creative Writing Group’ which meets every month on the second Saturday. I was really quite nervous about it, as they not only listen to the poems but then discuss them afterwards. I was suffering from impostor syndrome. Afraid my cover would be blown and I would be exposed as the terrible poet that I see when I look in a mirror. What if they asked me deeply philosophical and profound questions about my motivation or inspiration about a poem? Can I explain the meaning behind a specific line or stanza? How do I choose the themes or subjects for your poems? Do I have a specific writing process or routine? How do I deal with writer’s block or creative challenges? Which poets or writers have influenced my work the most? Do I have a favourite poem that you’ve written? Why is it special to you? To all these question the answer would be, “I don’t know, I just write this stuff!” I could easily field the writer’s block question by saying, ” I have a nice cup of tea,” whereas, in reality, I don’t get writer’s block, I don’t believe in writer’s block, writer’s block is a myth. Then they would all shake their heads and mutter about my arrogance.  As to the other questions, I’ve no idea! However, it was fine, there were no awkward questions, just positive comments about what I had written and analysis of my writing about things which I never knew about. I was careful to avoid reading any of my ‘edgy’ poems, as, being a church group, they may not have been amused. I read one of my poems ‘Choice’, but because it’s so personal, I choked up at the end. How embarrassing! Then to compound matters I had to ask my friend John to read ‘A Love Without End’ because I can never read it without shedding a tear. Even hearing it chokes me up, the problem is, it’s only me, no one else can understand, I don’t even understand it myself. I was asked to read 3 or 4 of my poems, however, I stretched it a little and read 7 or 8. No one seemed to mind too much. We then went round the table and the others also read a poem they had written from the prompt ‘‘New Beginnings’. Each poem was then discussed, dissected and appreciated by the assembled company. It was a good morning and I enjoyed myself both reading and listening. Poetry is one of my passions, so why wouldn’t I have a good time?

Well, that’s my first ‘Blogette’ (made up word if ever I heard one). I’ll sub-title it Blogette Number 1.

©Joseph R Mason and Richard J Kirk – 2025

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