Writing can often be a strange journey. Most of the poems I write have a conscious beginning. Some event or random thought will be its starting point. I will make notes or create a rough draft that I can mull over and then rewrite a few times until I am happy with it.
Sometimes a poem will come unbidden. It seems to come from nowhere and is as complete as a poem can be. It is sometimes blocking another poem that I am trying to write and sits there in my subconscious as a defiant gate keeper. My only course of action is to write it down and then I can move on. This happened a couple of weeks ago when I was writing the final blog poem based on Ian Dury and the Blockheads song “Reasons to be Cheerful”.
Here it is and it’s an odd little poem but I like it.
The Shackled Tongue
Words have imprisoned me
Escaped me when I needed them the most
They have danced before me
And slipped from my grasp
Embarrassed me
Shamed me
Given me access to meaning
Then denied me the truth
They have shackled my tongue
I have tried taming them
Putting them to the whip
They always fight back
Struggle for their freedom
I can never be their Master
© Jeff Price August 2018
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Biog Jeff Price
Jeff is a poet and writer. He has performed at many venues through out the UK and Europe including the Prague Fringe Festival and the Bristol Poetry Festival. He embarrassed himself with an appearance in ITV’s Airline programme reciting poetry to Easyjet passengers in Newcastle Airport. He was the founder and organiser of the Poetry Vandals. He organises poetry events including The Great Northern Slam at Northern Stage and is a regular performer at venues throughout the UK and in the South West of France.
Jeff has a Master's Degree in Poetry and Creative Writing from Newcastle University. His work has appeared in many anthologies, E-Zines and poetry websites. He has written for a number of magazines. Jeff’s poetry often hides a sharp political message behind its humour. His first full collection “Doors” was published in 2006 and "Toe in The Tarn" was published in 2012. He has released a CD/Book titled Live at La Sirene.
“The wordplay of Roger McGough delivered with the voice of a Geordie Adrian Mitchell. Great entertainment – count me in, I’m a fan”. Mike Jones Quercy Unplugged
“Great storytelling and a sharp eye for human foibles with powerful images... Highly recommended” Kate Fox, Poet in Residence on BBC Radio Four's "Saturday Live
View all posts by Jeff Price
Very good Jeff – liked that one.
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Aye, those words, Jeff. If they’re not beating the shit out of you, they’re running bloody rings. 🤨
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