This is a poem written from a prompt suggested by Beth Kempton, who has once again started doing her tiny poem series. The idea was to write something in ten minutes, with no editing. I’ll admit I often take more than ten minutes, but I’m a grown up and can do what I want and nobody can yell at me anymore!

I’d never written any poetry, nor even considered writing any until I came across Beth’s prompts late last year, when I was in a very dark place. Beth’s daily prompts sparked my creativity; I began writing poetry every day along, almost obsessively, as though it was a lifeboat, which in a way I suppose it was. I’ve not written close to 150 poems since Christmas, maybe even more. I’m writing another book, too, and enjoying writing my longer pieces that I publish here and on Substack.

Here is my first Tiny Summer Poem, the prompt is:

LIGHT

Light comes in through little cracks

It wriggles through to coax life back.

When joy’s a concept, a word, abstract,

When you feel guilty for feeling sad,

When you’re a burden, a mess, a pain,

And deep inside you’re so ashamed,

Look for tiny sparkling rays

For twinkling prisms on gossamer wings.

Trust they’ll guide you through the dark

To find the help you need to glow.