Ally Aldridge Writing

Day 24 – Elegy

Sparkling blue, Crystal clear

Pure water sustained us all

Poisoned by chemicals, Choked by plastic

We took nature for granted

What if we thought to change

Questioned what goes down our drain

Cut down on waste and switched to eco

If we start now we could undo

Reduce your waste

Find green alternatives

Bring back our ocean

Of health, vitality and life

*****

Day 24’s challenge

For Day 24 the prompt is “an elegy – a poem typically written in honor or memory of someone dead. But we’d like to challenge you to write an elegy that has a hopefulness to it. Need inspiration? You might look at W.H. Auden’s elegy for Yeats, which ends on a note suggesting that the great poet’s work will live on, inspiring others in years to come. Or perhaps this elegy by Mary Jo Bang, where the sadness is shot through with a sense of forgiveness on both sides.”

It felt strange to write a elegy for someone still here. With Earth Day recently taking place, my impact on the planet is at the forefront of my mind. The images of our seas plastic pollution is very disturbing and that is where I drew my inspiration for today’s poem.

If we carry on as we are then our beautiful oceans will be ruined. There is still time for us to change and turn the situation around. It’s not just for us but also the creatures we share our planet with. Water is vital to all our existence and it is beautiful.

Ally Aldridge Writing

Day 23 – Avicii

“My hands are tied but not tight enough

You’re the high that I can’t give up

Oh Lord, here we go”

Like a drug pumping through my veins

Here I am back again

Begging for you to take me there

Although we’re going nowhere

I know you are no good for me

Afterwards only pain will be

For this addiction I will bleed

Here to do the dirty deed

Do to me whatever you will

Make our sinful juices spill

Overdose my senses on you

Hit the spot the way do

Push me over the edge

Being with you is dangerous

Here for you to destroy me

Never will I be free

“My hands are tied but not tight enough

You’re the high that I can’t give up

Oh Lord, here we go”

*****

Day 23’s challenge

For Day 23 the prompt is “And now for today’s (optional) prompt! Kate Greenstreet’s poetry is spare, but gives a very palpable sense of being spoken aloud – it reads like spoken language sounds. In our interview with her, she underscores this, stating that “when you hear it, you write it down.” Today, we challenge you to honor this idea with a poem based in sound. The poem, for example, could incorporate overheard language. Perhaps it could incorporate a song lyric in some way, or language from something often heard spoken aloud (a prayer, a pledge, the Girl Scout motto). Or you could use a regional or local phrase from your hometown that you don’t hear elsewhere, e.g. “that boy won’t amount to a pinch.”

I’ve always loved Avicii’s music and I was sad to hear he had passed this weekend. I hoped the news was a hoax but it is wasn’t. Today’s poem is using the lyrics from one of his songs.

Ally Aldridge Writing

Day 22 – Thirteenth hour

Pintrest - Poem April 20.png

Watch your turns and stay on path

Find what is hidden from your eyes

Deeper into the maze you go

Making friends and challenging foes

Nothing is as it seems

You will grow and you will change

The strike is chasing through the maze

Distraction and betrayal will cause delay

With every step it is getting closer

Can you beat the thirteenth hour

*****

Day 22’s challenge

For Day 22 the prompt is “to take one of the following statements of something impossible, and then write a poem in which the impossible thing happens:

The sun can’t rise in the west.

A circle can’t have corners.

Pigs can’t fly.

The clock can’t strike thirteen.

The stars cannot rearrange themselves in the sky.

A mouse can’t eat an elephant.”

As a Fantasy writer, I love making the impossible real.  My first instinct is to go with ‘The clock can’t strike thirteen’ because it makes me think of my favourite film (from the 80s) Labyrinth, with goblins, faeries, mazes and magic.

 

Writing this poem feels like it is about something deeper like the choices we make in life that lead to our final hour and perhaps the thirteenth hour is the end.  Perhaps we are all busy living and trying to avoid it.

Ally Aldridge Writing

Day 21 – Unrequited

Who was this handsome man

She saw him in his radiance

What was this strange feeling

He stole her resistance

*****

She was drawn to him

His body was temptation

She had to have him

Without life didn’t bare living

*****

He could not see her

Or return her feelings

He was not capable

No love only rejection

*****

It broke her heart

To be invisible

The sound of pain

Tortured and unbearable

*****

Left a haunting echo

Of a space never to fill

Where the unrequited love

Causes emptiness still

*****

Day 21’s challenge

For Day 21 the prompt is “Brim provides us with several suggestions for generative writing exercises, and we’d like to challenge to today to tackle her third one, which is based in the myth of Narcissus. After reading the myth, try writing a poem that plays with the myth in some way. For example, you could imagine that imagine the water is speaking to you, the narcissus flower. Or you could write a poem in which the narcissus berates the Kardashians for stealing their neurosis. Or a poem that comments on the narcissism of our time, i.e. beauty and body obsession, etc..”

I’ve had a productive day today but away from the PC, leaving little time to put something together for todays prompt.

I think Echo’s story is one many have experienced. I’d bet everyone has wanted someone who doesn’t know they exist and dismisses them without realising the hurt caused. If you’ve not experienced that – lucky you.

The poem reminded me of one I wrote a few years ago titled ”My Universe”. Here it is:

My universe

He’s like reaching for the moon

Out of my league, out of my grasp

He’s become my whole universe

All consuming, lost in a love so vast

I’m floating, swimming, pink sky space

Glittering stars as bright as his eyes

Lost my way with no turning back

I lost control, I’m falling into black

I knew not to venture into the unknown

Stick to safe and what you know

Keep your feet firmly planted in the soil

Or be prepared for all consuming black holes

I don’t like feeling I have no control

Having someone I’d give my all

But now I can’t live without him

I’m lost in space and it’s all consuming

Ally Aldridge Writing

Day 20 – Rebel

Get in line

You must comply

Tick a box

On the form

Categories

Sorted lists

The Goverment

Control all of us

*****

Break this mold

Be unique

Create something new

You can think

Free your mind

Ask questions

Be the difference

Be yourself

*****

Day 20’s challenge

For Day 20 the prompt is “Our prompt for the day (optional as always) takes its cue from Notley’s rebelliousness, and asks you to write a poem that involves rebellion in some way. The speaker or subject of the poem could defy a rule or stricture that’s been placed on them, or the poem could begin by obeying a rule and then proceed to break it (for example, a poem that starts out in iambic pentameter, and then breaks into sprawling, unmetered lines). Or if you tend to write funny poems, you could rebel against yourself, and write something serious (or vice versa). Whatever approach you take, your poem hopefully will open a path beyond the standard, hum-drum ruts that every poet sometimes falls into.”

I work in education and one of the most frustrating things about the job is all the burreacracy and paperwork required by the goverment and the restrictions they apply. A hardworking student can’t finish early, a lazy student can’t fail (we fail if they don’t pass on time).

Everyone is tested the same way, despite everyone being unique. I don’t agree exams are right for everyone. Now the government would like to introduce a test to categorise students abilities before they even start their education (4 year olds)!

Can you imagine starting school and being told you are in the group of children predicted not to be capable of much – that sets you up for life. Yet, we know people often excel in different areas and learn in different ways, at different speeds.

Education is just one example of categories used to control and sort people. It’s not always bad but sometimes it’s not necessary and even harmful.

Today’s poem is about how we all are unique and we shouldn’t let anyone tell us who we are based on a box we are put in. Nobody should be compared to someone else. Especially not at the expense of their confidence.

Ally Aldridge Writing

Day 19 – Heatwave

The weathers changed

It is so hot

I wasn’t prepared

Now need to shop

I need sun cream

And sun glasses

I need a sun hat

And sun dresses

Out my window

The sun is beaming

Everyone’s happy

People are smiling

*****

Day 19’s challenge

For Day 19 the prompt is “Today we challenge you to write a paragraph that briefly recounts a story, describes the scene outside your window, or even gives directions from your house to the grocery store. Now try erasing words from this paragraph to create a poem or, alternatively, use the words of your paragraph to build a new poem.”

Wow, it has been so hot today. Not sure how I’m going to cope as I get more pregnant but I plan to make the most of this heat wave whilst it’s here because you never know in England what the weather will be tomorrow.

Ally Aldridge Writing

Day 18 – Sunshine

I wished for you

When there was snow

Black ice on the roads

When you came

I was at work

A prisoner doing my time

Please stay bright

Sunshine for me

Please still be here

When I am free

*****

Day 18’s challenge

For Day 18 the promt… Makes no sense to me, so I’m ignoring it.

Today has felt long with nothing going quite to plan at work, rushing around at lunch to make the childcare arrangements and the gorgeous sunshine teasing me that I’m stuck indoors.

Did you get to enjoy the sunshine today? I’m hoping it’ll still be here at the weekend so I can make the most of it.

Ally Aldridge Writing

Day 17 – Anecdote

Playing tricks on our little sister

Take this two pence, it is bigger

Give me the pound, it is smaller

Look it says one as it’s number

Clearly worth less than two

See how generous I am to you

*****

Day 17’s challenge

For Day 17 the challenge was to write a poem “re-telling a family anecdote that has stuck with you over time. It could be the story of the time your Uncle Louis caught a home run ball, the time your Cousin May accidentally brought home a coyote and gave it a bath, thinking it was a stray dog, or something darker (or even sillier).”

There are plenty of tales of growing up. I have a younger brother and sister and we often played tricks on each other.

My sister, being the youngest, often got manipulated. She’s even take the blame for something we’d done if we encouraged her that our parents were undermining her capabilities to do it by being younger and she’d adamantly declare her responsibility and that she is big enough, I.e to reach the switch and turn off the hot water whilst mum was in the shower.

Sadly, our childhood was before social media and digital camera so I don’t have a picture of the three of us together. Tucked up in the attic we each have a photo album but it’s not easily accessible.

Ally Aldridge Writing

Day 16 – Play

Give a child a box

There’s no greater toy

Let a child create

Their imagination brings joy

Never are they alone

With a made up friend

They can bring anything alive

With their bright inquisitive minds

Go and save your money

And let your child play

Let them get messy

Let them explore

There’s no need for plastic

Expensive and noisy

To make their own games

Your child has the resources

Give them a broom

They’ll be happy for hours

*****

Day 16’s challenge

For Day 16 the challenge was to write a poem “that prominently features the idea of play. It could be a poem about a sport or game, a poem about people who play (or are playing a game), or even a poem in the form of the rules for a sport or game that you’ve just made up (sort of like Calvinball).”

When I first approached this task I thought of Peculiar Pets by Victoria Roberts. It’s a picture book about a little girl that wants a pet but her mum says “We’ll see” whenever she asks. The little girl creates pets out of bits and pieces around the home. It is a delightful read about a child’s imagination and creative play.

I thought about how parents spend a lot on toys, only for their child to be more fascinated by the box. For example, my son loves his cars. We’ve tried to engage him in other toys but he always returns to his Hot Wheels. The only toy that’s competed is his Kindle and balance bike. And in the summer I got a cheap broom from pound land to sweep the gravel back and my son found it and spent hours playing with it. It cost me £1!

I’m sure there are other parents that can relate to this poem. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Ally Aldridge Writing

Day 15 – Grim Reaper

Pintrest - Poem April 15

He dragged his scythe

Across war torn lands

Tired of souls to collect

Blisters covering his hands

His pale flesh clung to bones

Head bowed in his cape

Armies for the thrones

The torn up landscape

Blackened smoke

Destruction

Tears of loss

Anger and frustration

Innocent blood spilt

A life cut too short

He slices through the ties

Freed soul from its body

Reaper sheds a tear

An innocent child’s body

Twisted, void and empty

*****

Day 15’s challenge

For Day 15, the challenge was to write “a poem in which a villain faces an unfortunate situation, and is revealed to be human (but still evil). Perhaps this could mean the witch from Hansel & Gretel has lost her beloved cat, and is going about the neighborhood sticking up heart-wrenching “Lost Cat” signs, but still finds human children delicious. Maybe Blackbeard the Pirate is lost at sea in an open boat, remembering how much he loved his grandmother (although he will still kill the first person dumb enough to scoop him from the waves).”

I’ve made it half way through, learnt more than I expected and feel motivated that I can make it to the end of 30 days.

In character development, I often spend as much time thinking about what motivates my villain (antagonist) as well as my MC. I think a well written Villain is as crucial as a well written MC.

My spin off novel from Drift, is Glide. It follows Kiara’s story and her heart break getting dumped and her struggle to accept she is enough. In Drift, she’s the rival love interest and the MC views her as being beautiful and perfect – I enjoyed exposing how insecure Kiara is despite how others perceive her.

For this, I feel I need to choose a Villain that is identifiable by most people. However, my favourite villains are well developed characters like Cat Woman or Poison Ivy who is a criminal but also has some good morales. I feel I need to think of one that is well known but only for their dark side… Grim Reaper.