Bundles of Bog Cotton

Flowers – For Angela

I don’t want flowers
not now
all celebration and beauty
frivolity and extravagance
cut off from their roots…

Now I want
daisies, out in the grass
under my (bare) feet
and long years of sunshine
to enjoy them in.

I want months of gorse
filled lanes and kissing gates,
weeks of sea thrifted beaches.

I want bundles of bog cotton,
wild orchids, bog myrtle,
blaeberry, even heather,
wrapped in peat bog
(tied with bracken).

Oceans of this please.

I don’t want expensive
fragile, hot housed
flowers
because I’m ill
because you care.

Love me in other ways.
Help raid me thyme.

By Alison Gean Davis

This poem was written in response to Angela’s comment about the absurdity of being sent flowers in response to a cancer diagnosis….. Angela came to the first of 8 expressive writing groups at Maggie’s in Glasgow accompanied by her father. She was very ill. Alison went home and wrote Flowers for Angela intending to read it and give it to Angela at the next group. Angela died before she heard the poem. Angela’s father continued to attend Maggies and he read the poem at the Christmas party. Years later when I was editing the book Bundles of Bog Cotton as a fund-raiser for Maggies, I couldn’t trace Alison Gean Davis to invite her to the book launch – until last week at the Demystifying Death Conference where I met Alison’s best friend Leti Hawthorn who told me that Alison had also died. Leti has since become like an Auntie to Alison’s three children.

Autumn Voices

StAnza 2025

Even if you can’t manage to travel to St Andrews, many of the performances, events, and workshops are on-line. PlaySpace Publications will have a stall at the Poetry Market on Sunday from 11am to 3pm.

Mirrorball Museletter

Mirrorball poets will be wandering the streets of St Andrews and participating in several events – click on link above for more details.

Lapidus Scotland 1st April 2025 in Woodlands Gardens

New Moon Writing with Linda France

New Moon Writing Hour Friday 28th March 4pm

Linda France’s New Moon Writing Hour on zoom. Here’s the zoom link

I also recommend Linda’s Startlings.

Spring Equinox Poet’s Way on zoom

Day and night will be around the same length. Balance & Poise with Poetry.

When: Mar 19, 2025 07:00 PM – UK time

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/U6Gm76ZfR6iRcKA2ZQDoIgAfter registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Please have a Spring poem ready to screen share, your own or a favorite published poem. The evening will include a guided meditation and small appreciation groups for close reading of poems.

Archetypical Spring Awakening Saturday 22nd March

Archetypical Spring Awakening : How Do We Make Our Writing Better Working Together?

The Eskdalemuir Community Hub and Old School Cafe, Dumfries and Galloway

Saturday 22nd March 2025, 10:00AM – 4:00PM to book click on the link above.

The Poet’s Way 2025 – Sunday 30th March 5:15pm.

2025 dates: 4th  May, 1st June, 6th July, 3rd August, 7th September, 5th October, 2nd November, 7th December. Doors open at 5:15pm for a prompt start at 5:30 – ending around 9pm Venue: Glasgow Buddhist Centre: 72 Berkeley St (G3 7DS),

The Poet’s Way awakens to the power of poems to compliment & enhance our spiritual practice. Bring a poem to share, your own or a favourite published poem. Please bring 4 copies of the one poem you want appreciated. Also please bring writing materials and vege food-to-share during a comfort break. Our programme includes a guided meditation inspired by poetry, and small groups for close reading and appreciation of poetry.

i.m. Gerry Loose Sunday 25th May all day