Creative Writing – 2018 “Collective Union of One for All Poem!…” Poem by Karen Robinson

Posted on January 4, 2019 by idoartkarenrobinson

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No. 29 of 29 Painting No. 64 Titled ‘For One’s Well-being’ Painting Practice by Abstract Painter Karen Robinson Feb 2016 NB All images are protected by copyright laws

“The above painting, one I painted back in 2016, I have chosen to accompany the below poem. It reflects an image of myself in the foreground, with my support networks in the background. They come from all walks of life; they are family, friends, work mates and community group members whom have been an integral part of my life over recent years, and all have contributed to my ability to reach a healthy mindset. Hence varying colours of difference; and colours with commonality. I couldn’t have got to this place where I am now without their support and this painting is a tribute to them all.”

POEM INSPIRATION

Last year 2018 – I received an email from the Overland with a request for poems. The 2018 Poem theme was to be based around: ‘new collective, old struggles’; up to 88 lines; and entry to the Fair Australia Prize was free. The poem was to be about: “What does unionism mean to people today? What should be its objectives? How can we come together to make real change, now and into the future? (Overland 2018)”. I struggled a little with this theme. Sadly it was not a successful entry but does not matter, it still serves as a way to be creative…

Collective Union of One for All!

Show us a place where – we can be more than an isolated one
Show us a place where – we can be part of a greater us
Show us a place where – imaginings become real possibilities
Show us a place where – our future is stable kind and meaningful
Show us a place where – we can find a collective union of one for all…

Bring us to there – so we can fight our struggles not alone but united
Bring us to there – so we can realize our life in full
Bring us to there – so we are both humble and strong
Bring us to there – so we are valued for our human worth
Bring us to there – so we can find a collective union of one for all…

Let us – shed old selfish ways of thinking
Let us – give up on wealth for needless material accumulation
Let us – share our advantages of experience
Let us – have grandiose ideas about equality for everyone
Let us – be a collective union of one for all…

Now we are – believing what seemed illusive
Now we are – capable of enriching the lives of those united
Now we are – seeing real justice with an intent to nurture
Now we are – being what we dreamed in the dead of night
Now we are – a collective union of one for all…

Our future is – rich with expectations of a life that generations will treasure
Our future is – a union of people who care about what truly matters
Our future is – an investment in humankind
Our future is – a collective union of one for all-and-all for one!

Poem © Karen Robinson – August 2018

CONCLUSION

These days I only write poems when I feel a great need to! Photography has filled the gap in my heart – thus ticking the happy box whenever possible.

Please click here to visit my ‘Poetry and Prose – About’ page where you will be able to find blog links to other creative writing pieces

POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH: Improving one’s sense of wellbeing using art, creative writing, photography, blogging and motivational speaking – my journey written by ©Karen Robinson. Please click here for my latest blog news!

Creative Writing – 2018 “Ageing Old Is!…” Poem by Karen Robinson

Posted on October 10, 2018 by idoartkarenrobinson

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3 of 4 Ben James Robinson - Memorial Site December 2015 on Huntly-Forresterville Road, Just outside of Bendigo - Copyright Protected

3 of 4 Ben James Robinson – Memorial Site December 2015 on Huntly-Fosterville Road, Just outside of Bendigo – Copyright Protected

POEM INSPIRATION

Each year, I receive an email that reminds me to think about writing a poem and entering it into the University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor’s International Poetry Prize. So I gave it a go, once more, for this year 2018, with the hope that one day I might be lucky enough to be a finalist. Well not this year for me! But on saying this, it really isn’t about writing for a poetry prize but about getting me to sit down and think about putting together a group of words to express a feeling, thought, a moment! Here below is this year’s effort and it’s about ageing! It’s about the process of losing one’s youth, about the acceptance of growing old, and about reaching the end of one’s life with the hope that its been a worthy one…

Title: “Ageing Old Is!” Poem

ageing old is…

bones creaking with osteoarthritis – as their new best friend

aged exhausted muscles constantly reminding the body – not to over stretch

unsightly mottled skin – mirroring years of weather abuse

weakened eyesight tightening focus – while grasping visions with expiry dates

failing dulled memory – showing signs of future incompetence…

ageing old is…

menacing hearing loss – nursing awkward miscommunications

hunched aching back – engaging in old people appearances

arthritic disabling hands – struggling with finite activity

grey loose hair gathering up – in sadden hair brushes

smelly wee collections – in places once pure clean and sweet…

ageing old is…

crusty masses of harden skin – mounting under feet once nimble

bulging belly fat – lazily lounging around body central

facial life lines time-sharing with emotions – of laughter and sullenness

overburdened knees locking – halfway down and halfway up in indecision

flabby weaken arms – gratefully receiving hugs of love and attention…

ageing old is…

brittle coffee stained teeth – sharing smiles of endearment

a stumpy wrinkled ring finger – wearing sacred tarnished wedding band

black annoying hairs on long gone youthful slender legs – now meandering on old

once expensive manicured nails – now surrendering to lack of significant care

blood pumping at high rates of pressure – finding solitude in cholesterol tablets…

ageing old is…

under-active misbehaving thyroid – causing socially unacceptable obesity

vitamin D lacking skin – demanding a daily show-down with the holy sun

unsaddled mammary glands hanging – as a constant reminder of motherhood long past

periodic kind verbal reminders to loved ones – that this time span is limited

a tiredness not of lack of sleep – but from nearing the end of one’s existence…

ageing old is…

a knowing

that this old human ruin – now approaching depletion – has endured a life well spent…

Poem © Karen Robinson – August 2018

CONCLUSION

It’s another day now and the sun has come out and dried up all the rain … time to go out and play, rejoice and enjoy the one and only life we get to live…

Terranora, Queensland – Australia ‘Sitting in the Garden of my husband’s brother’s home’ Photograph from Karen Robinson February 2016. Comments: My hubby, daughter and her now husband took this time to visit my husband’s brother. This photograph while not the best, was one taken while I was sitting in the home’s beautiful tropical garden which overlooked the Terranora region.

Please click here to visit my ‘Poetry and Prose – About’ page where you will be able to find blog links to other creative writing pieces

Creative Writing: “Our Dog Jessie” Poem by Karen Robinson

Posted on August 3, 2016 by idoartkarenrobinson

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1 of 2 Jessie is patient and deligent with such a longing to see his master's return at the end of a day - dear old dog by Karen Robinson .jpg

1 of 2 Jessie is patient and diligent with such a longing to see his master’s return at the end of a day – dear old dog – Golden Cocker Spaniel – written and Photographed by Karen Robinson NB: All images are protected by copyright laws .jpg

INTRODUCTION

The process of trying to keep up with my creative writing is a challenge for me. Life just demands at times, my attention elsewhere, but I feel so rewarded when I do take the time to reflect and write…

POEM INSPIRATION

So at a moment when my thoughts were still, I glanced across from where I was working, and looked towards our old dog Jessie. He was sitting at the window looking longingly out and up towards the garden path. It was that time of the day when he would wait for his master to come home and today was no exception for Jessie! Oh to have the unconditional love of a dog…it’s such a beautiful love. With those thoughts in mind, I wrote this poem for Jessie our old dog.



Title:  "Our Dog Jessie" Poem
 

His golden hair glimmers in the warm, afternoon winter-sun,

He is waiting, waiting, waiting for his very special one.


There seems to be no end to his vigilant gaze

as he watches for his master to grace the stony path maze.


For Jessie is truly a well-loved family member of ours,

He has given us so much love in both good and bad hours.


If only his master knew how adoringly his dog waits,

For the return of his master’s presence, - our dog’s best of mates.

 

Poem © Karen Robinson, July 2016

2 of 2 Jessie is patient and deligent with such a longing to see his master's return at the end of a day - dear old dog by Karen Robinson

2 of 2 Jessie is patient and diligent with such a longing to see his master’s return at the end of a day – dear old dog – Golden Cocker Spaniel – written and photographed by Karen Robinson jpg. NB All images are protected by copyright laws

CONCLUSION

Jessie is a good, loyal friend and family member. He always greets us on our return home with a warm and friendly greeting and a wag of his tail – we are so lucky to have him…

Whilst you are here – please check out my home page! Post-traumatic Growth – My Art Therapy Journey – A window into the soul of an Abstract Artist through art therapy and storytelling…by Karen Robinson

Creative Writing – July 2016 “World Horrors” Poem by Karen Robinson

Posted on July 16, 2016 by idoartkarenrobinson

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People gather in front of a memorial on the Promenade des Anglais, where the truck crashed into the crowd during the Bastille Day celebrations. Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA

INTRODUCTION

I wrote the following poem as a personal response to the dreadful news of the truck attacker in France, whom had killed over 80 people and seriously injured many others, nearly 24 hours after a Bastille Day celebration. This continual onslaught against innocent men, women and children going about their daily lives – is just devastating. To all those whom have lost loved ones, my deepest condolences; and to all those experiencing serious injury, may you have a speedy recovery. And to those whom experienced this horror directly, may you find peace as time marches on.

MY POEM TITLED “WORLD HORRORS”



It's so dreadfully hard not to be torn down by the daily news.

Reading, listening, seeing the world horrors just gives me the blues.

 

What happened to my understanding of it being a safe 
and wonderful place?

Did it get jarred away by us -- us being the human race?

 

I fear for what my children's children will have to contend with,

as they hear of this once beautiful planet. Was it all just a myth?

 

But I bring myself back to the now and I say,

that I only have the power of me and then I pray

 

not to the gods of man who need belief to exist,

not to the night heavens that continue to persist,

 

but to future generations of us humans at play,

that somehow they will do much better -- better than we have today.


Poem © Karen Robinson, July 2016

THE “ART OF PEACE” PAINTING – ACRYLIC PAINT ON H.W. PAPER 2014

Image No. 1 - Art & Creative Writing 'The Art of Peace' by Karen Robinson - Abstract Artist 20-12-2014 Acrylic Paint on HW Paper NB All images are subject to copyright laws.JPG

Image No. 1 – Art & Creative Writing ‘The Art of Peace’ by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist 20-12-2014 Acrylic Paint on H.W. Paper. By clicking on the image above, it will lead you to a blog I wrote about my own country’s terrifying and violent siege at the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Sydney’s Martin Place – Australia. The above image I created in response to that event and is a representation of our world floating in a sea of darkness. Written by Karen Robinson NB: All images are protected by copyright laws.

CONCLUSION

It’s hard to write here a concluding sentence except just to say that we must have the hope that the human race will find its way…

Written by ©Karen Robinson – July 2016

Whilst you are here – please check out my home page! Post-Traumatic Growth: My Art Therapy Journey – A window into the soul of an Abstract Artist through art therapy and storytelling…by Karen Robinson

Creative Writing – June 2016 “I Am Listening…” Poem by Karen Robinson

Posted on June 19, 2016 by idoartkarenrobinson

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Volunteer Speaking at a Road Trauma Awareness Seminar Melbourne Australia with RTSSV - Karen Robinson June 2016

Karen Robinson (me) Volunteer Speaking at a Road Trauma Awareness Seminar Melbourne Australia with Road Trauma Support Services Victoria – Karen Robinson June 2016

INTRODUCTION

Last night – Tuesday 14th June, 2016 at RTSSV’s – Road Trauma Awareness Seminar (RTAS) in Werribee as a RTAS Volunteer Speaker, I told my family’s, being husband’s and my daughter’s road trauma story about my son Ben – killed in a single vehicle car crash on the 5th November, 2009. Like many other RTAS volunteer speakers each month across the state of Victoria – Australia for Road Trauma Support Services Victoria (RTSSV), we share with repeat road traffic offenders our road trauma stories, in the hope that repeat road traffic offenders gain a greater understanding about how risky driver behaviour is deadly. That it only takes one careless action as a driver to cause death and serious injury which in turn can leave behind, a devastating ripple effect.

Talking to and with these RTAS participants about their risky driver behaviour, once again reaffirmed the importance of the volunteer work that we do. Sure, it’s not easy and sure why do it all – might be your question. But when I hear, like many other volunteers hear, what participants say at the end of the Road Trauma Awareness Seminars: about what they have learned in regard to road safety and road trauma; about what they had never understood beforehand about the ripple effect impact of road trauma on family, friends, workmates and the wider community; and about how hearing our personal road trauma stories, has got them re-thinking about their own risky driver behaviour – it becomes apparent that it is a very worthwhile task and for me is the hardest thing I do.

POEM INSPIRATION

I found myself wanting to write, needing to write and I wrote this short poem about my feelings relating to this week’s Road Trauma Awareness Seminar Volunteer speaking experience. This is what I wrote…

Title: “I Am Listening…” Prose Poem



Here I am, again, listening to their reasons why

and as I hear, I cannot help but sigh!

 


They talk about the daily risks they take

and my calm facial expression is all a fake

 


for I know if they continue on in this vein,

their lives will not be blessed by the ordained.

 


Their loved ones will end up mourning their loss

for their risk-taking comes at a massive cost.

 


The tears, heartache and emptiness of soul

will leave their loved ones with this only role.

 


And as for me, I am already there -

left without my son and left with great despair.



Prose Poem ©Karen Robinson, June 2016

CONCLUSION

Writing this poem helped me process my feelings and thoughts about what I heard, saw and experienced during my RTAS volunteer speaking this week. At this particular RTA Seminar there was another whom had experienced the loss of a loved one through road trauma and he hadn’t spoken about his loss for over 20 years… It was very sad and demonstrated just how important it is to reach out and share our feelings, thoughts and emotions in order to maintain a healthy sense of well-being. My creative writing and art practice gives me a way to maintain my well-being and has become an important way for me to continue on moving forward with my post-traumatic growth journey.

Written by © Karen Robinson – June 2016

Creative Writing/Photo-Taking – December 2015 “Santa’s Pooped!” Short Poem by Karen Robinson

Posted on December 31, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

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1 of 3 Photo-taking & Story-telling, Creative Writing by Karen Robinson Titled ‘Santa’s Pooped!’ Just south of Bendigo Dec 2015 NB All images are protected by copyright laws.jpg

INTRODUCTION

Photo-taking and story-telling/creative writing has been what I have done most of my life. It has given me an opportunity to examine, mull over, study and/or appreciate special moments and sometimes the bazaar things that I have found visually interesting. On my return car journey home from just outside of Bendigo back to Melbourne with my husband, I spotted a Santa in the middle of ‘no where’! It had been stuffed with hay and placed on a golden coloured bale of stacked hay. I had my husband stop the car and I took photos of Santa and wrote the following words and a very short poem.

POEM INSPIRATION

Santa’s Pooped!
I found Santa! He’s resting on a slumped hay bale in the middle of a grass paddock, just off a straight stretch of road leading away from Bendigo and back towards Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Don’t think he’s getting much shade under these ghostly gums. So stop looking… Santa will return next year busting with Christmas cheer but for now he’s snoozing under the scorching hot Australian summer sun.

Karen Robinson © December 2015

3 of 3 Photo-taking & Story-telling, Creative Writing by Karen Robinson Titled ‘Santa’s Pooped!’ Just south of Bendigo Dec 2015 NB All images are protected by copyright laws.jpg

Title: “Santa’s Pooped!” Poem



Santa, all dressed in red

and a little under fed,

looking very much like he is dead,

but no -- he's just resting his weary head.

‘Peace, at last,’ he said!

 

Poem ©Karen Robinson - December 2015

2 of 3 Photo-taking & Story-telling, Creative Writing by Karen Robinson Titled ‘Santa’s Pooped!’ Just south of Bendigo Dec 2015 NB All images are protected by copyright laws.jpg

CONCLUSION

Happy New Year…

Whilst you are here – please check out my home page! My Art Therapy Journey – A window into the soul of an Abstract Artist through art therapy and storytelling…by Karen Robinson

Creative Writing – November 2015 “Paris…” Poem by Karen Robinson

Posted on November 17, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

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1 of 8 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Paris’ and Schminchke & Liquitex Ink on Cotton A3 297x420mm 300GSM by Karen Robinson 17-11-2015 Copyright Protected.JPG

INTRODUCTION

The Paris multiple attacks where more than 120 people were killed and more than 350 people were injured with about 100 of those seriously – via a series of coordinated terrorist attacks, was shocking news. The tragic loss of loved ones, family, friends and workmates must be unbearable for those directly impacted and for the people of France this needless atrocity must be impossible to fathom.

POEM INSPIRATION

The amazing resilience of the France people had inspired me to write this very short and simple poem. I have also accompanied it with an ink painting I have created which represents the French flag colours and I have used the now iconic symbol being ‘Peace for Paris’ which has spread around the world. I humbly and respectfully share my words here below.

Title: “Paris…” Acrostic Poem



Peace we need to seek and search for in our every day,

Alliance with those that treasure humanity,

Resisting the temptation to run and hide,

Illuminating the courage of those who bravely step forward,

Silencing those who seek to crush...

 

Acrostic Poem ©Karen Robinson, November 2015

2 of 8 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Paris’ and Schminchke & Liquitex Ink on Cotton A3 297x420mm 300GSM by Karen Robinson 17-11-2015 Copyright Protected.JPG

3 of 8 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Paris’ and Schminchke & Liquitex Ink on Cotton A3 297x420mm 300GSM by Karen Robinson 17-11-2015 Copyright Protected.JPG

8 of 8 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Paris’ and Schminchke & Liquitex Ink on Cotton A3 297x420mm 300GSM by Karen Robinson 17-11-2015 Copyright Protected.JPG

4 of 8 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Paris’ and Schminchke & Liquitex Ink on Cotton A3 297x420mm 300GSM by Karen Robinson 17-11-2015 Copyright Protected.JPG

6 of 8 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Paris’ and Schminchke & Liquitex Ink on Cotton A3 297x420mm 300GSM by Karen Robinson 17-11-2015 Copyright Protected.JPG

5 of 8 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Paris’ and Schminchke & Liquitex Ink on Cotton A3 297x420mm 300GSM by Karen Robinson 17-11-2015 Copyright Protected.JPG

7 of 8 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Paris’ and Schminchke & Liquitex Ink on Cotton A3 297x420mm 300GSM by Karen Robinson 17-11-2015 Copyright Protected.JPG

CONCLUSION

Peace for Paris – peace for the world…we must try…

Whilst you are here – please check out my home page! My Art Therapy Journey – A window into the soul of an Abstract Artist through art therapy and storytelling…by Karen Robinson

Creative Writing – October 2015 “Crying Roses…” Poem by Karen Robinson

Posted on November 8, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

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No. 5 of 5 Creative Writing - Poem Titled 'Crying Roses' written and photographed by Karen Robinson 5th November 2015.JPG

No. 5 of 5 Creative Writing – Photo taken by Karen Robinson at Fawkner Memorial Park, Melbourne, Australia on the 5th November 2015. The rain drenched roses featured in the photo were used as a source of inspiration for a Poem Titled ‘Crying Roses…’ written by Karen Robinson to mark the 6th anniversary of her son’s death who was killed in a single vehicle car crash on the 5th November 2009.JPG

INTRODUCTION

It’s that time of the year again, a time that marks another year where my husband and I especially on this day, the 5th November 2015, take a drive to Fawkner Memorial Park to pay our respects to the memory of our son. Over the last five years, each of these days have been strangely beautiful amongst the extraordinary array of fully bloomed roses. Each year signifies, that our choice of Memorial Park to place our son’s ashes was the right choice, as it serves as our quiet place to think of Ben and how much we miss him so. To ponder about, what it would have been like, if he was still here with us today!

NoNo. 1 of 5 Creative Writing - Mark & Karen's son's plaque which sits proudly over the cavity that holds his ashes at Fawkner Memorial Park, Melbourne, Australia on 5th November 2015 used as inspiration to write a Poem Titled 'Crying Roses' to mark the 6th anniversay of his death. Photographed by Karen Robinson - Ben's mum 5.11.15.JPG

No. 1 of 5 Creative Writing – Mark & Karen’s son’s plaque which sits proudly over the cavity that holds his ashes at Fawkner Memorial Park, Melbourne, Australia on 5th November 2015 used as inspiration to write a Poem Titled ‘Crying Roses’ to mark the 6th anniversary of his death. Photographed by Karen Robinson – Ben’s mum 5.11.15.JPG

POEM INSPIRATION

Upon our arrival at Fawkner Memorial Park, and as I was alighting from the car and walking across towards Ben’s Plaque and then through the wonderful array of fully bloomed roses, I was taken aback by the rain drenched roses. I had never seen roses so full of water and one rose in particular looked like there were tears falling from its heart! The rain drops appeared to me like it was crying…

No. 2 of 5 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Crying Roses’ written and photographed by Karen Robinson 5th November 2015.JPG

I found myself saying out loud to my husband “Look, the roses look like they are crying…”. It felt profound to make such a statement and perhaps it was just a reflection of how I felt in my own heart right at that particular moment. On my return, I wrote the below poem to mark the 6th anniversary of my boy’s death.

Title: “Crying Roses…” Poem


It’s raining and the roses look like they are crying.

Perhaps they know we are here amongst the ones

who were once dying.

 


Both my husband and I stop and sit in silence,

thinking about our loss and leaning on one another

with great reliance.

 


It’s been 6 years now since the passing of our son.

We often think why -- why did he have to be the one.

 

It’s now time to stand
and walk a little amongst the rain drenched roses,

and I seek my dear husband’s guidance to do some poses

 

for each year we make this pilgrimage to remember

and always on the 5th of November.

 

A coffee and cake we share

where conversation is mostly spare



then it’s back home and a chat with our daughter,

the one we now look towards, in our family, to be the mortar.

 

How precious she is to both of us

and our endless love for her will always be a must.

 

Poem © Karen Robinson - November 2015

PHOTO-TAKING IMPORTANT

Photo-taking has been what I have done most of my life, the recording of special family moments! And I have always taken photos on these days. I learned that taking photos is just so important, they serve the memory well when loved ones have passed, when the memory begins to fail and for further generations to ponder over and wonder…

No. 5 of 5 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Crying Roses’ written and photographed by Karen Robinson 5th November 2015.JPG

No. 1 of 5 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Crying Roses’ written and photographed by Karen Robinson 5th November 2015.JPG

No. 4 of 5 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Crying Roses’ written and photographed by Karen Robinson 5th November 2015.JPG

No. 3 of 5 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Crying Roses’ written and photographed by Karen Robinson 5th November 2015.JPG

No. 2 of 5 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Crying Roses’ written and photographed by Karen Robinson 5th November 2015.JPG

CONCLUSION

It’s another day now and the sun has come out and dried up all the rain … time to go out and play, rejoice and enjoy the one and only life we get to live…

Whilst you are here – please check out my home page! My Art Therapy Journey – A window into the soul of an Abstract Artist through art therapy and storytelling…by Karen Robinson

Creative Writing Group Session 5 of 6 – “When All Seemed Possible…”

Posted on November 29, 2014 by idoartkarenrobinson

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No. 1 Creative Writing Session 5 & Abstract Painting ‘When all seemed possible’ Acrylic Painting on A3 HW Paper by Karen Robinson NB All images are protected by copyright laws .JPG

INTRODUCTION

It is now our second last creative writing session, which means we are close to the end of our creative writing journey as this group. Once again, we shared our writing efforts and once again, these writing pieces revealed more about ourselves. This process of writing and sharing has helped me feel more confident about broadening my writing endeavours; to look for writing inspirations from areas of my imagination that I had not used as a source of inspiration beforehand. It was ‘kinda’ fun in lots of ways and in other ways it was confronting, especially when it came to writing about pieces that were deeply personal.

THE CREATIVE WRITING HOMEWORK

For last week’s creative writing homework, one of the writing tasks we were asked to do, was to write a poem or poems, using a list of words given to us by the creative writing facilitator. We could use some or all the words within a poem, if we wished. I had a lot of fun trying to formulate words to make a poem, especially from a set of given words. It felt like play…good therapy! NB: The highlighted words, in the list below are the ones I used in my two poems here in this weblog.

These are the words: magic, conjure, doves, enchant, gloves, wand, stage, words, show, cards, disappear, hat, rabbit, hand, wave, sleeve, coin, theatre, act, glamour, flowers, rings, cloth, illusion, hocus-pocus, abracadabra, spotlight, spells, tricks, tights, curtains, presto, silk, handkerchief, smoke, mirrors, and flash.

The following two poems are the result of this creative writing exercise. The first poem I titled ‘The Magic Rabbit’ , it is a playful piece and the second poem I titled ‘A Person in Need…’ and is more solemn.

Poem No. 1 – Titled: The Magic Rabbit…

“There was a magic rabbit

Who had a very bad habit!

He was full of tricks and hocus-pocus

And used illusions whilst he had us focus

He would put us under spells with his wand

Then hay presto the magic rabbit would have us all conned

But alas it was just a show

Only the magic rabbit was in the know!”

Poem No. 2 Titled: A Person in Need…

“Give me a hand when I am in need…

Give me flowers when I need the scent of spring…

Give me silk when I need a soft touch…

Give me a handkerchief when I need to stop a falling tear…

Give me a ring as a sign of your everlasting love…

Give me a wave when you leave for the day…

Give me a card to show you have remembered me…

Give me your word you will stay…

CREATIVE WRITING PROCESS DURING THIS SESSION

During the creative writing session, the facilitator asked us to write about a time we felt secure, confident and in touch with a strength. We were also asked to write a piece on ‘stars’ – could be anything but just with the word ‘stars’ in mind. Here below is my story which I titled ‘When All Seemed Possible”.

“When All Seemed Possible”

“When I was a very young girl, I used to sit on the front, outdoor, wooden stairs of our Northern Queensland home in Cairns and look up at the stars. The night’s skies in Northern Queensland are so clear and the stars seemed to be so close; you felt you could almost reach out and pull one into yourself. They looked like they were winking at me and I could find different shapes as my childish imagination went to work. I spent many hours with my younger sister and brother gazing up at them, at the end of a childhood day.

These nights were barmy and as children we were usually in our pyjamas, clean and ready for bed. My mother taught us an old English language nursery rhyme which stayed with me for many years and one I also recanted to my children, when they were very young. The lyrics of this rhyme goes like this:

‘Star light, star bright,

The first star I see tonight;

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight”

Sometimes – in times of childhood despair, I would make a wish that I, very much hoped would come true. I remember, believing that by, looking at the stars in the heaven at night, and making such wishes, must mean, I had a good chance of them being realised sometime in the future. The heavenly northern night skies, with its twinkling, bright and beautiful stars, were just some much bigger than me – so they must have the power to make my wish possible…this was my childhood belief.

I still find the stars in the night skies breathtakingly beautiful. I now live in the very southern part of Australia in Melbourne. Its city night lights drown out the stars’ brilliance, and we don’t get to see the them, as they are meant to be seen. It is not until I go, out into the bush and take time out to gaze upwards, that I remember just how small I am within this universe. It is this action that always reminds me that my problems are small too. And it is also at these times, that I remind myself, of my childhood belief. I say to myself “just look up at the heavens and make a wish” – why not…life has taught me, anything is possible…”

CREATIVE WRITING INSPIRING ART!

Again I wanted to use my creative writing piece to inspire an art work and is featured below titled ‘When All Seemed Possible’. They are not ‘master pieces’ but are an important part of a therapeutic process that I enjoy and helps complete my art for therapy journey after each creative writing group session.

No. 3 Creative Writing Session 5 & Abstract Painting ‘When all seemed possible’ Acrylic Painting on A3 HW Paper by Karen Robinson NB All images are protected by copyright laws .JPG

No. 4 Creative Writing Session 5 & Abstract Painting ‘When all seemed possible’ Acrylic Painting on A3 HW Paper by Karen Robinson NB All images are protected by copyright laws .JPG

No. 1 Creative Writing Session 5 & Abstract Painting ‘When all seemed possible’ Acrylic Painting on A3 HW Paper by Karen Robinson NB All images are protected by copyright laws .JPG

No. 2 Creative Writing Session 5 & Abstract Painting ‘When all seemed possible’ Acrylic Painting on A3 HW Paper by Karen Robinson NB All images are protected by copyright laws .JPG

No. 6 Creative Writing Session 5 & Abstract Painting ‘When all seemed possible’ Acrylic Painting on A3 HW Paper by Karen Robinson NB All images are protected by copyright laws .JPG

No. 5 Creative Writing Session 5 & Abstract Painting ‘When all seemed possible’ Acrylic Painting on A3 HW Paper by Karen Robinson NB All images are protected by copyright laws .JPG

CONCLUSION

Thank you for joining me on this Creative Writing Group Session Journey! Please click on the below links to view Nos. 1,2,3 & 4 Creative Writing Group Sessions:

NB: For the purposes of this weblog series “Creative Writing Group”, I will not be mentioning any names or personal details of participants or even the name of the organisation that runs the sessions. Individuals have the right to privacy, so it will only be about my own experience – and broad statements about each particular session. I hope you will understand.

Whilst you are here – please check out my home page! My Art Therapy Journey – A window into the soul of an Abstract Artist through art therapy and storytelling…by Karen Robinson

POEM INSPIRATION

Collective Union of One for All!

CONCLUSION

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POEM INSPIRATION

Title: “Ageing Old Is!” Poem

CONCLUSION

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INTRODUCTION

POEM INSPIRATION

CONCLUSION

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INTRODUCTION

MY POEM TITLED “WORLD HORRORS”

THE “ART OF PEACE” PAINTING – ACRYLIC PAINT ON H.W. PAPER 2014

CONCLUSION

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INTRODUCTION

POEM INSPIRATION

Title: “I Am Listening…” Prose Poem

CONCLUSION

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INTRODUCTION

POEM INSPIRATION

Title: “Santa’s Pooped!” Poem

CONCLUSION

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INTRODUCTION

POEM INSPIRATION

Title: “Paris…” Acrostic Poem

CONCLUSION

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INTRODUCTION

POEM INSPIRATION

Title: “Crying Roses…” Poem

PHOTO-TAKING IMPORTANT

CONCLUSION

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