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Ann Gilmour Poem
A rainbow took my breath away
Whilst on a train one summers day
Her vibrant arc I was in awe
Though folk beside me never saw
With heads bowed low they missed the show
The screens their windows, don’t you know
All Mother Nature’s flawless gems
Score well below the latest trends
Written 28th December 2019
Lay poetry
8 lines ~ 8 syllables ~ AABBCCDD
POTD - 29 December 2019
Contest: LAY IT ON ME 8X8
Sponsor: Charles Messina
1st PLACE
Contest: Strand Select 6
Sponsor: Brian Strand
HONORABLE MENTION
1st PLACE in Best New Poems
16th - 27th January 2020
Published in a previous Poetry Soup Anthology 2020
Copyright © Ann Gilmour | Year Posted 2019
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Ann Gilmour Poem
Reaching for your hand
but knowing you have gone
I hear the birds begin to sing
their early morning song
Yearning for to stroke again
your shiny chemo head
but now your empty pillow
beside me lies instead
As I awake this morning
alone inside my bed
my heart is truly breaking
for so many lonely years
and that is why this morning
I have shed so many tears...
Written 6th April 2019
Contest Favourite Poem From Last Week March 31st to April 6th 2019
Sponsor Lu Loo
1st place
Contest April 2019 Premier 6 14 lines
Sponsor Brian Strand
7th place in Premier contest
Number One in 100 Best New Poems list for the month - 4th May 2019
Contest 'L' contest old or new
Sponsor Constance La France
FIRST PLACE
Copyright © Ann Gilmour | Year Posted 2019
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Ann Gilmour Poem
I’ll never forget what’s her name
A PE teacher and ogre she became
For I was such a sickly child
it really made this ogre wild
Held in my hand a medical certificate
exempted from all things physical
with Rheumatic Fever and St Vitus’ Dance
for me to take part ~ there was no chance
Instead I assisted the Deputy Head
with clerical duties I helped him instead
But clearly this really annoyed her
As she gave me her evil stare
She appeared to be looking right through me
No words were spoken ~ was I even there
Each and every year she wrote
inside my school report
A snide remark that ended with
“as usual she did not take part”
For I was told such illnesses
Could leave me with a weakened heart
And so upon Doctor’s orders
in PE I was not to take part
I can still see her face
As she filled me with fear
No compassionate words
from her lips I could hear
Whilst illnesses kept me off school for a year
It’s time I let go of this nasty so and so
For she left planet Earth a long time ago
And my heart ~ it still beats
I’m so glad to be here
With a smile on my face
I have no one to fear
*This was sadly a true story which whilst writing this poem, brought back some of the feelings, which by her actions she made me feel – she made me feel weak and insignificant because I could not partake in any physical education classes, but I did become a very competent secretary in adulthood, so all that clerical work for the Deputy Head was clearly beneficial…some teachers have a lot to answer for...
21st September 2019
9th place ~ Premier Contest
Contest Name: I'LL NEVER FORGET WHAT'S HIS NAME (OR HER NAME)
Sponsor: John Lawless
Contest Name STRAND CHOICE 7,
Sponsor Brian Strand
3rd Place
Copyright © Ann Gilmour | Year Posted 2019
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Ann Gilmour Poem
A rose named Brighton
For your funeral flowers
A stunning golden yellow hue
The place you were born Son
But now sadly gone Son
This yellow rose so perfect
I pray my Son you see it too
A year has gone by
Your family and I
here to celebrate your life
your son ~ your daughter ~ your mum ~ your wife
We take a short walk
to the Bandstand
looking to the sea beyond
For our gift to you
is the Brighton rose
A symbol of our love
But oh my Son
you had other ideas
Was it you ~ were you having some fun
For the rose kept returning
Despite the tide turning
And kept ending up on the beach in the sun
Several times
your dear son
threw it back in the sea
but each time it returned
did you send it back for me
With love in our hearts we shed a few tears
When all of a sudden a small child appears
Clutched in her hand a pink fishing net
Wondering what she would catch
And before we could stop her
your rose she doth net
As we sensed her excitement
skipping over the stones
our mouths were wide open ~ our eyes they met
She was showing her mother your rose in her net
Your wife at this point
She dashed to retrieve
saying …
‘The rose was for my husband
we had put it in the sea
So I would be very grateful
if you return the rose to me’
Her mother she was mortified
and handed back your rose
and once again your yellow rose
floated in a wintery sea
though still returned again and again
and that is when you spoke to me
‘Mum please don't you see
I am cold
I am wet
take me home I plea
Do not leave me in the sea’
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
The yellow rose I dried
and tears of joy I cried
now in a vase
here next to me
your Brighton Rose
now here forever
just for me
to see…
Written 17th November 2020
Contest ALL YOURS (JAN 24)
Sponsor Brian Strand
N/A
Copyright © Ann Gilmour | Year Posted 2020
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Ann Gilmour Poem
Dearest Irene
Queen of Cats
Your dear Panagiota
Will soon be back
Wait patiently Irene
And before too long
You'll hear her voice
Singing you a song
And she'll be dressed
In her feather boa
With a spring in her step
Looking just as you know her
As you run to meet her
You can't wait to greet her
She's the one you adore
Walking through the door
As you snuggle up
together ~
forevermore...
Written 9th November 2021 ~ for dear Irene QUEEN OF CATS ^~^
Panagiota's beloved cat ~ may they be reunited soon...
POEM OF THE DAY 10.11.21
Contest A STRAND (1069)
Sponsor Brian Strand
N/A
Copyright © Ann Gilmour | Year Posted 2021
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Ann Gilmour Poem
Tingles
down my spine
for me it’s nearly time
my very first performance
in the Parkinson’s choir
Practising the songs
morning
noon
and night
memorising lyrics
ready for tonight
but now my mind is blank
don’t even know my name
oh golly ~ oh gosh
will they ever want me back again
The music it begins
and the soloist she sings
awaiting for our cue
before we can begin
Our voices sing in harmony
blend beautifully as one
uplifting ~ euphoric
a joyous sound we make
I am reaching new heights
as my heart starts to race
adrenaline is rising
I am touching the sky...
Lyrics so poignant
bring tears to my eyes
voices
rise to a crescendo
jubilation
can't be disguised
Audience is roaring
with rapturous applause
I am wrecked
I am crying
I am smiling
I'm on fire
And my soul…
well really ~ truly
it could not get any higher
Written 27th July 2019 - after performing in the Parkinson’s Choir for the first time…
1st October 2019
Contest Name Your Best Poem That is Trophy Worthy (Premiere Contest Trophy)
Contest 2
Sponsor: Tania Kitchin
N/A
This was such an uplifting experience for me and as soon as I arrived home I had to express my utter joy and euphoria felt during and after our performance otherwise I would have burst! It is without doubt one of my favourite poems for it came from deep within my soul and I truly was "Touching the Sky"...
Contest N/A rerun 5
Sponsor John Hamilton
3rd Place
Contest Name Favourite Poem from June 2019 or July 2019
Sponsor Julia Wardn
Poem written 07.27.2019
Contest Brian's Choice 10
Sponsor Brian Strand
1st PLACE
Copyright © Ann Gilmour | Year Posted 2019
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Ann Gilmour Poem
It did not cost a fortune
and gave her so much joy
I sent a book
to a lovely friend
‘twas second hand
though good as new
I love the odour
I love the look
I love to hold
a second hand book
Reminds me of a film I saw
about a man named Frank
he ran a second hand bookshop
at 84 Charing Cross Road
A labour of love for many years
a commemorative plaque now marks the spot
True tale I’m told
of a New York gal
Helene Hanff her name
Over twenty years
she wrote to Frank
requesting books so rare
He found for her the
books she yearned
the words she loved
deep friendship theirs
as each and every book he wrapped
with tenderness and loving care
But sad to say they never met...
Frank died in ‘68
a bond was made
by books she craved
their story in this film was made
But I digress and must impress
these words I need to say
Please never throw a book away
when at the end give to a friend
It will truly make their day…
Written 5th August 2020
84 Charing Cross Road, by Helene Hanff, is an entertaining, evocative and moving collection of letters sent by the author, from her home in New York, to the staff at an antiquarian bookshop in London. Their correspondence spanned twenty years and resulted in a valued friendship. 84, Charing Cross Road is about love of books and words, and friendship. .... Such was their fate that Helene Hanff and Frank Doel never met. Frank died in December 1968 from peritonitis from a burst appendix, and the bookshop eventually closed. Helen Hanff did visit London in 1971 when she met Frank’s widow.
Contest Strand Completely New (17)
Sponsor Brian Strand
FIRST PLACE
Copyright © Ann Gilmour | Year Posted 2020
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Ann Gilmour Poem
I am a girl born on the very day and date predicted
I am a girl who lived her life from deep inside her heart
I am a girl that delicate child just like a fragile flower
I am a girl so shy was I an introvert so often hurt
I am a girl each day seemed like a challenge to encounter
I am a girl who struggled with life of a nervous disposition
I am a girl who found a tranquil place inside her books instead
I am a girl ~ a woman now, who met her soul mate and fell in love
I am a wife ~ a lover ~ a friend our love so deep will never end
I am a mother ~ her child a son, her dearest boy, her only one
I am a nurse as cancer came it took my love and left such pain
I am a widow distraught alone my heart is broken my soul has died
I am a girl ~ a mother ~ a wife ~ I slowly begin another life
I am a mother ~ her only child, died without warning one sunny morning
I am a poet asking why and search for solace from moon up high
my inner child she weeps she cries ~ she laughs she smiles
she keeps me sane ~ until that day, that special day,
when we will meet again…
Written 28th April 2020
Contest I AM - A LIST BIO CHALLENGE
Sponsor Andrea Dietrich
2nd Place
Contest Brian's Choice J
Sponsor Brian Strand
N/A
Copyright © Ann Gilmour | Year Posted 2020
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Ann Gilmour Poem
A yellow dawn two years now gone
A yellow rose to mark the day
The day when you were taken son
For even now I wonder why through endless tears I cry
My darling son ~ my only one ~ taken far too soon
I had no chance to hold your hand or even say goodbye...
Written 18th October 2021
This day two years ago my only son was taken far too soon ~ aged just 49...
Contest A BITE SIZE POEM 23
Sponsor Line Gauthier
FIRST PLACE
Copyright © Ann Gilmour | Year Posted 2021
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Ann Gilmour Poem
That day we met
‘twas summer ‘63
at the local hop
you sidled up to me
You took my hand
we danced
my heart
my soul
were way up high
almost touched the sky
You walked me
to my bus stop
Bid me a fond farewell
We were to meet
same day
same place
same time
a week from now
That truly was the longest week
Oh how I longed
for you to meet
to sing
to dance
to talk romance
The day arrived
I had survived
I saw you standing there
I knew
for sure
never looked for more
We were the perfect pair
That boy in ‘63
He stole my heart
away from me
And sixty one years on
a piece
of my heart
was now gone
When you left
oh how I cried
bereft
the day you died
Looking back over
my life with you
What more could I desire
My darling dear
true love of my life
For when you chose me for your wife
my husband
my lover
there was no other
I am
I always will be…
~~~~
Your ever loving wife
Written 11th April 2022
Contest A BRIAN STRAND PREMIER CHOICE
Sponsor Brian Strand
2nd PLACE
Copyright © Ann Gilmour | Year Posted 2022
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