I have been experimenting with recording poems. I find it a great way to practise for readings. This poem was written during the summer while I was on a residential writing week with Second Light Network of women poets. The workshop that inspired this was run by Myra Schneider.
I have included the words to the poem.
My mother’s nursing chair
This chair has seen and heard it all. Carried home
on the bus when I was nearly due, it witnessed her groans,
holds a cushion she made, holds me while I strum
my guitar or play soulful notes on a native American
flute I bought when Mark was ill. Music is so important now,
a thread linking a recorder playing shy and clumsy child
to the woman I am now searching for strength
to cope with loss. My parents are gone, my son will
never reach the age I am now. He was not quite halfway.
I pick out notes from songs they loved;
the flute is as easy to play as breathing.
The chair soaks up grief, joy, happiness, despair.
Susan Jane Sims
If you read well and want to send in a good quality recording of one of your own poems to be considered for Poetry Space then simply e-mail to susan@poetryspace.co.uk the recording and also send the words. Previously unpublished poems only please unless you already have a published collection by Poetry Space. If so you are welcome to send in poems from those collections.
I used a voice recorder programme together with a microphone.
