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Best Poems Written by Jo Young

Below are the all-time best Jo Young poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

Details | Jo Young Poem

A Woman's Lot

A Woman’s lot!

Not yet 50 - well nearly - but not yet!
But I would never have bet
That this would be the year
That would start to drive me to tears
And night sweats….and brain fog
That makes life at times a bit of a slog

Now, who in their right mind would invent
Menopause - someone obviously hell bent
on wanting to cause maximum destruction and misery
As when a mood swing occurs and the potential of causing injury
A woman can easily say “sorry about that” and simply forget
As she embarks on another night of sweats!

Now, where was I, I do forget
It’s my memory you see, again it’s let 
me down. From numbers to names
at times they all merge and become the same!

So, I’m told that reaching 50 that it is a great age 
to do what you want - even get on that stage
But wait one second - my glamour has gone
My hair is falling out, my weight is bent on 
increasing - so to the diet book I must go
to a menu of soup and salad and sometimes I have to throw
caution to the wind and have a bit of bread
to stop me throwing my Ted
at someone’s head!

Sleeping - who needs sleep?
Is it a habit I want to keep?
“Yes” I cry, I love my kip and my good dreams
not the night sweats that streams
down my body - leaving me soaked to the skin.

But not all is lost as to these words I have written
on a topic that is often untold - even forbidden.
So share these words I will
for these feelings and emotions we need to spill
and share with all
so we know it’s ok not to be ok
And make tomorrow (however hard!) another day of people we will not slay!

Details | Jo Young Poem

Lockdown Lard

Lockdown Lard

Ok, so let’s address the elephant in the room
And the issue that does loom
That most of us face
Of our exuberant tastes
That has led to …lockdown lard!

Since March, life for everyone has been difficult and hard
And we have all had to play our part
In keeping the virus at bay
So to our homes we have had to stay

The main question was what could we do
Plenty of arts and crafts – stickers and glue
Physical fitness, running, cycling and walking
To virtually meeting friends and family and talking.

To the cookery books we went
And to recipes we began to creatively invent
Let’s travel the world through food
Cooking far too much for the usual brood.
But wait – I have cooked for six and there is just us two
But don’t feel blue
Just have another portion
And there we have it – our dress size becomes out of proportion!

We know we ate and drank too much to cope with such a difficult year
So now we face the consequences and it is now with fear
That we now have to dust off those trainers
And put away those food containers!

A new healthy diet beckons
Along with exercise – I do reckon
Our pavements, lanes, streets and country parks
Will be full of high vis people –from dawn to dark
All huffing and puffing and getting sweaty
Wishing they hadn’t had that extra serving of spaghetti

So let’s not be scared 
By lockdown lard
By appreciating it as a trophy- of getting through the year
But now appreciate that it is the slimmer you, that you will hold dear!

Details | Jo Young Poem

Resolutions

I started this year with a bid to get fit and healthy
Loosing at least a stone -that to me is wealthy
So, to a gym, swimming pool or zumba
..do I lumber
Absolutely NOT - let’s be radical and try Army Fit..
High intensity training - don’t be soft - don’t be a t..

I’ve not down experience for a while
But this, making my muscles ache makes me smile
No fancy equipment, just mats, weights, ropes, tyres and balls
Which although bones achy - helped me walk talk

Six weeks in -then disaster struck
I felt I was at the bottom of a 6 Nations rugby ruck
A simple sprint at the end of the training session
Was an unbelievable lesson
Of how sport can sometimes not be good for you..
Bang went my achilles in my heel
Which started the unfortunate medical wheel
Although I tried going to work the next day
After driving, trying to concentrate, I did have to say
I’m temporarily giving in..I’m in real pain

Work have been great
I and they recognised I am in real state
Scans and X rays lead to crutches, bandages, a boot and pain medication
And now sitting with my leg raised on the sofa - that is my new and boring station.

However, I have to try and be positive- firstly the pain relief has got to go
It’s making me sick and head slow
Then I will begin to think clearly
And go to the Physio - and learn exercises that I will hold onto dearly

I’m down but not out
And although my aim was to be lean- I might for now have to carry on being stout
Until of course in time I will return to being healthy
I will again think stealthy
Of a new way of being fit and mentally wealthy.

Details | Jo Young Poem

Alone

Alone

I used to be happy, wearing my designer shoes
But all that is left is substance misuse and booze
I feel that I am stuck tight in a rut with glue
All day, every day I just feel blue.
How did I end up like this
In this endless tiss??

I left school with qualifications galore
3 years later, a first at Uni I held in my hand.
Climbing the corporate ladder
Was all that did matter
A husband and then two Sons I did bear
Money, big houses, private education, holidays and fancy clothes we did wear.

A large hedge fund – we were at the top of the tree
I was floating along, so effortlessly, like a bee.
Then we took a huge bash
From the stock market crash.

Clumsily we did fall 
No more holidays, houses or fancy balls
Doctors appointments began
Although we wanted to, we didn’t run
For my husband it was a fatal heart attack
I would never get him back

Our sons had grown up and moved away
With new families and careers they didn’t stay
Career, house and loved ones left me alone
Everything now blown

My memories – that’s all I have that stays
I never get out to play
It is only to the off licence I regularly attend
For another bottle or three – whatever the trend
I am so alone.

Details | Jo Young Poem

Who Am I

Lately I’ve been thinking who am I?
I like to think I try
to think, care and be kind
giving time to those that are in a bind
to enable and to empower others to be the best they can be
But I do recognise that it is sometimes difficult to see
the good from the bad
and those that make you sad

It is easier to keep busy, 100 mile an hour so not to sink
but sometimes we have to take time out, pause and blink
Have the courage to sit down and reflect
sometimes I know it is easier when you have slept!

Understand who is truly there for you
and those who make you feel blue
although I recognise that some relationships you have to see through
there are others that are negative, suck your blood
and should stay in the proverbial mud.

I’ve wasted too much time wondering why 
Too much effort, I have always genuinely tried
But now it is time to be me
Let my positivity shine through and be
With real people who show true love and care
And a kindness we can share.

Details | Jo Young Poem

Daisy

For many people dogs are their soul mates
And with days of having them as a puppy it is too late
To realise that they have taken our hearts 
With their love, affection and even their bark!

For over 10 years, I resisted having a dog of any breed
But over time there was a planting of a seed
And before you know it, a three month pup arrived who we called Daisy
Right from the get go we knew she wasn’t lazy!

With the cold and snow of that first 12 years ago we thought we had lost her
But her white fur - in the snow-caused our eyes to temporarily blur
From an adoring puppy full of energy and vitality
Who’s unshaken love helps with our mentality

She has the best seat in the house, sitting on top of the armchair
Keeping a close eye on the neighbours, delivery men or anyone who dares
To enter unannounced into our cul de sac
She will tell us with her bark of their arrival - and make sure she has our backs!

Through good times and bad times she has always been there
Living up and down the country, in so many houses, she has never questioned where
Just simply to know where her food and bed is
And when she will go for a walk - otherwise she gets in a tiss!

I’ve tried to get our Daisy dog
To write about her life in a blog
But to be honest I would be worried about what she would state
So instead I write a poem- and hope she thinks its great!!!

Details | Jo Young Poem

The Lonely Tree

You’ve all seen me, on your walks, your travels - the lonely tree
If you have had a thought - your probably would have just said, that’s strange,
but it’s nature - so let it be

But I have feelings you know
Why when my seed was planted - others not sown
I grew up with no friends
Occasionally I would be looked at by the farmer who would tend

To any branches growing in the wrong direction
And with a saw, he would take out that section
But to me, it was like taking off a limb
One that I spent years growing and now sprouting acorns that would yield
Necessary food for birds and animals as I stood lonely in this field

I stand throughout the seasons
In wind, rain, snow and blizzards  - in weather that may be considered treason
But of all seasons, I welcome the spring
My arms (branches) start producing blossom - making my wooden heart go “ting”

The sun is now so warm
That is welcome, but not the wasps that swarm
To any nooks and crannies I might have in my trunk
To build a nest at the cost of the little birds who have to do a bunk

Summer is hot, making my roots thirsty
And the growing wheat noisily cracking and snapping in the sunshine - now looking dirty
In the woods nearby I hear different buds tweeting
Neighbouring fields I hear sheep bleating

But as you will see I am still that lonely tree
But now it is the Autumn, bringing the tractor that ploughs my field
Carefully circumventing me before planting more seed
For more wheat to grow next year
With the wind, I shake my leaves and shed a tear
As I understand that it will be another year
That I will be that lonely tree

Details | Jo Young Poem

Covid - Part 3

Dec 21 - Covid part 3..

We know how 2020 ended
Reduced freedom, families still parted- so no extra chairs or tables needed
Friends getting together was all but destroyed
Was there anything for us to raise our game and be buoyed?

Yes! Because it’s Jan 21 and the vaccine programme could begin
The NHS, GP’s and society all began to sing
This is the answer  - a return to normality of life
A minority saw this as tripe
and refused the injection based on their beliefs and human rights
But millions saw this as being simply tight
and wanted the jab to protect themselves and loved ones
From Mum’s and Dad’s, Grandparents to Cousins, Daughters and Sons.

Slowly but surely society started to open it’s doors
Even though many were emotionally, financially and mentally sore
The second jab came along making us feel safer
against covid - a disease that couldn’t be seen and we only knew later
How it could batter our health - and be a killer traitor

And so we continued with our PCR tests and lateral flow
Survived the delta variant and then this December came the blow
Of Omicron and Covid Number three
And how we should be quick to get a booster and then we will see
How we can all stay healthy and be free

But wait..
We are now back in a state
Businesses, holidays, shops and schools all affected and closing early
People are now becoming surly
As our dread returned
Of the potential of our freedom now being burned
Who really knows what we can now expect
England and Wales borders closed,
one way systems (that never worked) covid passes add to our woes
added to the mantra that we all heard “Face, Space, Protect”
On your marks…get set
Not forgetting your face mask and anti bac
And lets all pull together…please..so we can all get back on track!

Details | Jo Young Poem

Weather

The rain came
It certainly wasn’t tame
The puddles outside grew
As the wind blew
Swirling around the garden and the street
Leaving the workers beat - 
Retreating back to their vans
Warming up their bodies - using the engine fan

Daisy looked at me and then at the weather
In her view - she would go out when it was better
However, the toilet she needed to go
Even in heavy rain and wind that had a heavy blow

Reluctantly she went out with the promise
Of come on in and wipe your feet
And you will get a treat!

The rain continued all day
It was clearly here to stay
At least we are warm and dry
Thank goodness - that isn’t a lie.
I thank our lucky stars we are much better than most
We have heat, light and have just enjoyed our beans on toast!

Details | Jo Young Poem

Wind

Wind

You can see the rain, sun and snow
But the wind - you only see the results of what it blows
From the paper bag and the discarded can
All rubbish should be banned

For some people having wind only adds to the fun and thrill
Of flying that kite, propelling windsurfs and sail boats - they want wind and not air that is still
A gentle breeze on a sunny day
Can give light relief to our elders who would say
Let’s get out of the heat
And into the shade we’ll take a seat!

But it is the wind that howls
Causes many to scowl
As hurricanes and tornados rip lives apart
Houses destroyed, lives lost and overall desperation leads to the question of where do I start
To pick up the pieces of my life
Working through all that is negative - so much strife

This is not the leaves that float gently from the trees to the path
This is raw energy that saps
Our strength, determination and humour that is simply left behind
Affecting us physically, emotionally and importantly, our minds.