FAMILY Living for the
Kathryn is a hobby poet and has been writing poems for 30 years as gifts for family and friends or as a tribute to loved ones lost. This summer, she will be preparing for the release of her second book of poems, having been inspired by her sister Ruth to collaborate the many poems she has written throughout her adult life
“I find that when something happened or I felt a need to express my feelings, words would flood into my head and they always seem to end up rhyming. I could express what I wanted to say better in a verse than talking out loud,” she says.
“To know there are
people out there who will read my poems and smile is reward in itself.
here and now
The last year or so has given us all the opportunity to re-evaluate our lives and take stock of what’s important to us both now and in the future. But for Kathryn Gosling, from Worksop, the pandemic has enabled her to tick an important achievement off her bucket list.
Covid Coin was the first one I wrote, and then Ruth kept sending me random titles to inspire – silly poems like ‘listen to what ya mother said’ which is one we can all relate to growing up!”
It’s Not A Game Of Jenga - Everything Has Its Place!
Yes my darling you inspired me See what you’ve driven me to? I know you LOVE my poems And this one’s just for you! A woman gives a home
”
As a key worker, a higher-level teaching assistant working with children with SEN and challenging behaviour, Kathryn found she needed a distraction throughout the heavy stress of the pandemic. While decorating, she found around 50 of her old poems written on scraps of paper and decided to type them all up.
After a gentle nudge from her sister, Kathryn contacted New Generation publishing who were keen to support her ideas. And so her first book, A Piece of Rope was born.
“I never set out to write a book, but the publishers were very interested in me and my story which was a great confidence boost. When the first copy landed on my door mat in October it gave me a real buzz. It was never about making money or becoming a big seller, it was about ticking something off my bucket list. To know there are people out there who will read my poems and smile is reward in itself.”
Many of Kathryn’s poems are uplifting and humorous. Some have been inspired by her husband, Ian, such as It’s Not A Game of Jenga and A Man’s Look, lamenting the trouble and strife of marriage or ageing. The second book, Here and Now, offers a true reflection of the pandemic with 76 poems written specifically for the book.
“My sister asked me to write an uplifting poem about Covid-19. But with so much death, how could I make people smile? The Other Side of the
48
aroundtownmagazine.co.uk
To everything in the house All things have their place to live
You’re stressing out your spouse! Why do men challenge this? The system doesn’t change It’s been like this since we moved in And doesn’t need to rearrange. Putting away a plastic dish That goes inside another?
Take them out, stack them up (Or just balance on top – why bother?!) Letters in the letter rack And clothes they all hang up The shopping list is always there And the dishwasher wants that cup! Kitchen containers neatly stacked A hook for all the keys The coat stand never moves Hang your coat up …… please! I know I’ve told you before It’s not a game of snap Everything has its place I’ll draw you out a map! They’re not building blocks Nor the Barrel Of Monkeys game Not the leaning tower of Pisa Or the piece of art you claim
You’re not building a house of cards Or playing Buckeroo
(to see how much you can stack before this two legged ‘donkey’ kicks you!) It’s not a game of Jenga So why do we have to duel? Everything has its place A plain and simple rule!
Poem from Book 2
Don’t Forget You
Our lives are touched by many things Most good, some bad it’s true The bad can seem so very big And can really affect you. A hurtful word or something seen, Not recognised for who you are Can all affect the way we feel And change our day by far. It takes a special person
To keep your head held high And continue to be positive As the days slip by. A special kind of person Of those there are so few And it’s time for a reminder That one of those is you. You’re one in a million (I think I’ve said before) And I’m not the only one Who will give you a ‘top score’. So when you look at others Just remember who you are
You’re the one they wish they were That wonderful shining star.
Poem from Book 1
Here and Now will be available from July and you can order this and A Piece of Rope by contacting Kathryn direct via email:
bearsnbooks@outlook.com. The cost is £7 per book plus postage. Or you can order from Amazon or Kathryn’s Etsy page by searching bearsNbooks.
Love In A Difficult Time
With love you climbed each mountain And made it to the top.
With love you tackled problems That never seemed to stop.
With love you made the memories You keep to this day.
With love you‘ll hold them close As you continue on your way.
For continue you must Each day is one that’s new
You are the rock that stands And family look to you.
You must be strong, not bend Under each heavy load you bear Gain strength from all that love you hold And remember -
you have friends who care. Poem from Book 1
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
