Poem on a Post-It [10]: The Reader

What a reader wants to read?

This poem was an unexpected outcome of an ink-spilling session in one of

Beth Kempton

’s Ink and Flame writing circles. This course really is filling me with ideas and a real drive to write, and create, and the courage to share my words.

Alongside writing I’ve recently rediscovered my love of stories and that utter pleasure of losing yourself in a good book. It’s been too low down on my priority list, but I’m correcting that now. After her guest workshop this week I have treated myself to

Holly Ringland

’s first novel, ‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’ and I am so excited to dive in this weekend!

For today’s sharing prompt, I invite you to think of a story you’ve read that has stayed with you, perhaps it surprised you, or made you feel something unexpected? Or something in it reflected events in your real life which made it extra memorable?

Write the words:

I remember a story where… {and continue}

As always, you’re very welcome to share if you’d like to, in the comments.

I’ll be back next week with more. Possibly even with functioning vocal cords so that I can add an audio track too, but let’s not get too carried away!

Louise x

Text only version of today’s poem:

The Reader

As a reader, what I really want is...

to feel seen.

to be moved by all-encompassing emotion.
If unexpected, all the better
for it catches breath, when words take breath 
away all of a sudden, then you wonder:
What just happened?
Did it really end like that?

I want to feel all the feelings
feel I’m really in new worlds,
fall in love with men in places
I have never seen for real.

to see myself in women reeling 
from events, or healing, even
if it hurts to feel her feelings...
steal myself away to dream 
that I might live lives in my dreams
and one day dream a joyful life into existence.

So I listen.
And I read.