Spotlight On
Josie Lawson
Spotlight OnJosie Lawson |
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Introduction by the author
I entertained becoming a Shorelink Community Writer when bumping into Ashley whom I'd met before. At the time, shorelink was new and held in the Hastings Trust; I was already dealing with Ebb & Flow Community Mag (Patron: Lord Brett Reginald McLean) which to my audacity secured me a freelance community column with 'The Argus' newspaper between 1999 - Dec 2003 when they ceased the section.
My profile consists of being published in an internet mag; on a fun page on the website of a Chicago business site - a psalm poem that circulates the world and periodicals in West Sussex; several radio (hospital and public radio shows) and many letters in various newspapers. At one point; back in '93/or '94 I appeared on Meridian news as a poet friend of a sheep. I have been a published poet for many years (as previous names also) and occasionally under pennames). . Shorelink have done a great deal to help my confidences and helped uplift me on occasion. Sometimes I drift my own way though as I have other commitments.
Due to the dec'd 'Lord Tivers' the pink gentleman who owned most of the old town of Hastings - and his introduction and advice I took up open mic performance readings of my poetry. Due to my shyness I was encouraged alot by Justin Rhyme - of the now 'Don't Feed The Poets - with 'Other Words'. I felt quite at home in those days.
Since then, I have continued with different groups including Shorelink.
I have taken a back seat here though at present, as I am dealing with hearing probs and sound levels. Whether I shall return, only the future will tell.
In the meantime; my poetry/writing/journalism can become prolific. Sometimes to the point of waking me from sleep.
I have just included some childhood memories into an anthology compiled by the Hastings Writers Group entitled 'Diamonds'.
I will always be greatful to my tutors of adult education which began in 1979 - It was at this course I was asked what I wanted to do - 'a writer' I said - one tutor said - 'Do you write?' I of course, replied - 'I can't stop' - his answer whether published or not, you are a writer' - thanks goes to him - and tutors along the way - Some mentioned - Ursula - Juliet McCaffery (present - Preston Park Councillor, Brighton) and Robin Mellor - a great thanks from the tutorial I received at Hastings Library in conjunction with the creative centre at Sussex University, Brighton. My poem was chosen for the Hastings area of Pandora Books.
Not only Shorelink; many people have been my stepping stones in life - have encouraged and not passed judgement - I will be forever grateful.
I hope many more would be writers will attempt becoming part of Shorelink.
.............some of my work and a past profile can be found at - http://www.firstbiz.com/index-po.htm (Just for fun)
to go direct - http://www.firstbiz.com/po-mjw.htm
| Peace/War |
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Peace begins with not a thought, War begins when thoughts occur Peace are times alone at night War are times when bombs alight the sky at night. Peace is peace, when peace occurs, and thoughts become no more.
©1999 JOSIE LAWSON All Rights Reserved First published with Poetry Now www.forwardpress.co.uk scheduled publication 20.9.2004 Anthology book - The Nature of Emotion ISBN (softback) 1844608360 |
| Time |
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The formation of truth evolves As the music of life portrays its soul The heart it cries through pain and hurt And yet, the star of life blossoms and shines. You smile - when you come to realize Life is about letting go You move away into reality You hear song within your heart You sense the warmth, before the hurt can grind and stop the formation of truth evolving... and you smile, and walk that extra mile. In summer - your heart finds ways You walk and exercise and sense the growing passion of life As the sea flows in its dance. You can sit in a peaceful cocoon and hand in hand Know your heart is true. You can find, your soul.
©8.6.2004 JOSIE LAWSON All Rights Reserved
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| Sky Picture |
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An exciting journey was about to begin The mountain in the distant sky Surrounded by a large billowing cloud White as snow - seemed to call me. As if by magic, I was drifting through the sky upon it - I was heading towards Venezuela in South America, north of Brazil. I wondered if I was within a dream, When out of the blue, a 'turpial' flew by, Bright, beautiful, yellow, white and black, a traditional bird of Venezuela. Whilst it found its way to land beside me My senses woke, the journey was becoming extremely exciting. I loved floating through the sky I was imagining nothing, just the space of time Everything, was just a dream.
©3/4.10.2004 JOSIE LAWSON All Rights Reserved
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| Leader of the Gang |
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Birth is a journey into an unknown world Oblivious to the human, small as a pea in a pod Emotions with strange gurgly noises Chapters of life begin. The road of right and wrong - with an almighty 'Gong' Birth has begun. Triumph upon the mighty road - the disabled journey, detached from mother and womb Eyes of sight, not known - hearing sensory Birth unknown - Speak the child as the journey finds its way. Society makes the route - insensible and sullied And then, the glory of beauty emerges The child cries deep - and finds a beautiful sleep - the calm world of Jesus weeps - until she seeks - By this time, language has emerged Reading ability taught - individuality A character built through a man-made world Takes a great chance - from the introverted swirl. The journey of chapters find such beauty Friendships begin - controversy - sometimes with sin But some, they come forth as magnets - soul reversing - and then kin. Happiness after a lifetime of sadness - from womb to sin - from sin to reality A moment - when the child can fly like an angel in the sky To become what she needs to be - an adult - herself to be A new door opens occasionally and love is bound in society A smile - on the kiss of earth A new sudden birth - A bond - with grace A joining of hands together Life is a journey It has its ups and its downs But life is the creativity - where Souls can reign together In peace and harmony For all eternity and Infinity Life is the journey The path of right and wrong where we all learn to become one with another. and safe....forever.
© 13.4.2006 JOSIE LAWSON All Rights Reserved
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| Prosody, Future History, Poet Maker |
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Working life of a poet Is the music of their heart The story and the smile That travels history of time. A solitary moonlit night Words that climb No heart-ache Except reality, that sees The stars of all time Sublime to the truth Working life of a poet Goes 'boom' when words appear So hidden - but emerge The music of their heart; That starts - a musical theme To travel a time-line Into the library of words unseen Until they are gone Where they derive from But the words are there Visible - a poet is only a person born In reality....
© 7.9.2006 JOSIE LAWSON All Rights Reserved
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| Full Stop |
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If you think a good thought Instead of an unhappy thought If you think a positive thought Instead of a negative thought You will help your mind to cope with life No matter what the circumstances That beset you. If you take a full stop Put it in your mind, Put it in front of the negatives of your life Then say , "today will be a happy day." You will help your mind to cope with life No matter what the circumstances That beset you. You may be wondering why these words are written They are written for you and me Take a second, a minute an hour These are the moments of time that advance no matter the circumstances. So as I listen to this myself, I write it for you also In case you need to think the same. Life is worth living no matter what Remember that!
©23.2.2000 JOSIE LAWSON All Rights Reserved
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| When a Colour is not a Colour |
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Black is not a colour and yet it strikes so intelligently with others It is used in many different forms Sometimes in the midnight sky. Black can be the void of a blind persons world A frightener; and yet an indication For when sight returns... Only the blind person knows the difference and knows the warning has been told. Black is the beauty of a silhouette An artist painting set against the colour of the world Black is the void of a depressive state but if you strike an imaginery brick Light appears and happiness returns Black is not a colour But strikes beauty when enhanced against emotion - against colour against the light against the joy in the world Black is black - it brings back memories But look forward - for then It becomes Black Beauty.
©13.1.2007 JOSIE LAWSON All Rights Reserved
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| I Had a Dream |
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Many years ago - I found the heart I grew It was inside my soul, not inside my shoe I found a warmth, no one could see Except me; the heart that I knew - it was not blue - it was new It was the heart that I knew Many years ago - when I found the heart that I grew Inside a dream that I knew. I wanted a horse, a beautiful horse I wanted, to ride, into the sunset, I was a child then Who'd believe me now? But you know, I found that dream I was led around a garden, on a horse, by a friend A friend that knew, I had a dream She fulfilled that dream, filled the dream, for me. I had a dream, that was a dream and that is why, I told you, I had a dream.
© 20.11.2005 JOSIE LAWSON All Rights Reserved
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Confidence, Strength and Ability |
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There's three sensations called confidence, strength and ability You don't find them until you need them If you have fear in your mind and debilitate You will find them, in time, and use them - if you want too... Its surprising how stronger you will get Even if weak in your physical make up Turn to yourself, and use them For being oneself, in the world we live in will enhance, your self-esteem alot Confidence is the step forward that hides your fear The fear that shouldn't be there in the first place Maybe its circumstances, or just shyness Whatever, use that confidence and find out, who you are Strength is the ability to move forward Self assertiveness of who you should be Don't let others debilitate you If they do, then find your confidence, strength and ability and shrug off the negatives that surround you Life is about being who you are Taking the education so wisely intended To help you move forward with great achievement You will find out one day; if you really work hard at it You will be happy, you see, if you take it. So, what are the sensations that we talk of here Words to build you into a stronger character A person hopefully who will be calm A peaceful person within your self but able to stand up and be counted. Yes, the person you were born to be On this planet we call earth But always remember one thing Retaliation is wrong, but an explanation could be right and I, well, I'm only a person who experienced.
© 26.5.2003 JOSIE LAWSON All Rights Reserved I wrote this three years ago I reiterate the same today three years later Many people liked this at a personal development course and had a copy |
A Martian |
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Once upon a time there was A Martian named Michael Valentine Smith; He appeared upon my thoughts one day, and yet seemed only to say, I am but only a figment of your imagination; Stirred through a workshop Shorelink Community Writers by the sea. I sometimes play within the mind, of Poets by the sea - I am trying to write a poem similar, To the 19th century poet/writer Edgar Allan Poe - But I don't think it is working; what do you say? I have decided even if not these words have been a limbering up, Even if they are none the like of The Lake that is a fine works of Edgars, They must say something, for they are really words, don't you think? I, Michael Valentine Smith am writing these words, not in the 19th Century, but the 21st Century - I am writing them through a poet called Josie Lawson of Hastings by the Sea... Sometimes known as a Shorelink Community Writer, a poet, and even a possible ancester of Charles Dickens...did Edgar know him?
© 7.3.2006 JOSIE LAWSON All Rights Reserved
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