Poetic justice as pupil makes Douglas’ day

DOUGLAS was the guest poet at a school poetry event.

Most of the children were there because they had to be and they did his exercises only reluctantly.

There was a fair bit of chatter going on that had nothing to do with poetry. But as Douglas stopped at one desk, a THERE’S a video of a dolphin doing a twisting, spinning leap from the sea, a clip of a football team giving roses to a cheerleader battling leukemia, stories of love and selfsacrifice, and stunning landscapes.

Blake set himself the challenge of putting one thing good about the world on his Facebook page every day for a month.

He thought it might be difficult. But that was three years ago – and he’s still going strong. So what’s his secret?

“It was quite a surprise,” he told me, “but I found that, in this wonderful life, you really do find what you look for.”

So, what shall we look for this day? And every day? boy of about 11 whispered: “Thank you! I am loving this!” It made Douglas’ day! “It’s not just poetry,” he assured me. “Any time you try to introduce something new or set some kind of example, most will object to it or ignore it. It’s just up to you to make sure what you are doing is good and life-affirming. “And be reassured that someone out there will take it on board. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to hear about it.”

Sounds like a good subject for a poem to me! I HAPPENED to be walking with a mum and her two young children when a siren sounded.

“Oh, no!” said three-year-old Aaron, putting his feet down and firmly stopping his trike. “That means someone is in big trouble!”

“No, it doesn’t.” His big sister, fiveyear-old Poppy, circled around him on her scooter.

“That noise means someone is about to get some excellent help!”

The same noise, but two different takes on it.

Both true, but the point of view we choose will make a huge difference to our day, whether we are three, 33 or 103.

Daylight hours are drawing in,

As summer slips away, Leaves start fluttering to the ground,

Signs of autumn on its way; Silv’ry webs line bush and hedgerow, Apples gathered from the tree, Misty mornings, fields of gold,

Symbolise nature’s gallery.