Poetry

Larika

It's such a shame that poetry books are hard to sell. Poetry is one of the most underutilized and underestimated art forms in modern culture.There is a magic in poetry . A poet can create a metaphor that rouses our senses and shines a light into the dark corners of our hearts. Poets try to reach out to people. They want to communicate a feeling or an idea and they do it in a unique way. For my 21st Birthday I was asked what I'd like as a Birthday gift. Immediately I responded "The poems of T.S.Elliot, please."  I am selective about the poetry books I buy or borrow from the library. However I don't just focus on the great poets. At the moment I'm reading a poetry book which contains a selection of poetry written by modern poets. We have in our writing  group a gentleman who was short-listed to be Poet Laureate of Lincolnshire. (He just missed out!) I have bought several of his books. I love poetry. I only wish I could write it!

Just Kevin

It's not easy to sell any books, but if the top names on this list wrote a poetry book, I bet they would sell very well.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/dec/30/bestsellers-2017-top-100-philip-pullman-jamie-oliver-margaret-atwood

Just Kevin

Have a go then.

https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Write-Poetry/

https://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/creative1/poetry-writing-tips-how-to-write-a-poem/

Larika

I do try Kevin. I've been working on a poem for the last month and it's still rubbish. I wrote one about my grandchild years ago that wasn't bad. I'll persevere though. If anyone writes poetry here, do put a link to your Spotlight shop so prospective buyers can check it out.

Ron Miller

Poetry books are a hard sell and rarely become best-sellers...but this isn't to say that they don't sell at all. Like anything else, they require promotion and exposure to the right markets.

Arachis_2013

My very first book here was a short poetry collection (not a chapbook, they're not really cost effective through Lulu), a decade and a half ago. I published it primarily so I would have product to carry with me to poetry readings. That remains the best way to sell poetry—get out there and read it. And/or put up readings at YouTube or similar sites.

Just Kevin

There's certainly a lot on Lulu!   https://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=poetry&type=

Just Kevin

 I published it primarily so I would have product to carry with me to poetry readings. That remains the best way to sell poetry—get out there and read it. And/or put up readings at YouTube or similar sites.

People still need to be informed readings are taking place, and your poetry is available to view on line. I am pretty sure there's millions of things on Youtube that many people don't know exist!

Larika

Stephen, I checked out your Spotlight. My goodness you have made a lot of books here on Lulu. I hope they are doing well. I found your poetry book "Magic" but I didn't see a preview. Could you make one with maybe just a couple of poems so we can see your poetic voice?

PS Is Ken Brooke, the magician, your father?

Arachis_2013

Larika said:

 Is Ken Brooke, the magician, your father?

Nope, my late uncle was named Ken but he was no magician.

Ron Miller

My friend, Sommer Browning, not only has a dedicated website, she has a section devoted to upcoming scheduled readings as well as videos of past readings. https://www.sommerbrowning.com/performances/

Larika

Bookmarked. Thanks Ron.

Just Kevin

The problem with even having one's own website, is, you still have to let people know it exists. Even the mighty Amazon still spend millions on advertising, and even on TV. There are sites that can register it with 100s of search engines though (yes there are 100s!) and for free.

Here's one such place >>   https://www.entireweb.com/free_submission/

Larika

Thanks Kevin another site to bookmark.

Just Kevin

I did not know you had a website?

Just Kevin

These, along with 37 others, were written a long time ago by a friend of mine. She refuses to let any one publish them, which is a crying shame. 

If Love Were

If love were an ocean, how deep would it be?

How many ships would sail on that sea?

If love were a flower, would it be a rose?

Fragrant and dewy, until a thorn grows.

If love were a colour, would it be white?

Pure, and faithful, until out of sight.

If love were a movie, would the ending be bad?

All tearful and tragic and terribly sad?

If love were a season, would it be spring?

Full of hope for what the future will bring?

If love is any of these things to you?

Then you will understand what love can put you through.

The moments of pleasure, the moments of doubt.

It makes you happy, it makes you shout.

Love to each one is different, yet the same.

For we all know joy, and also the pain.

Think Of Me Then

 

Remember me in quiet moments,

When the day's demands have all been met,

And your thoughts, released, are free to wander,

Over memories we won't forget: think of me then.

 

Remember me when shadows form at sunrise.

When lightening flashes pierce a darkened sky.

When with softened breath the zephyr lulls you.

Or a rainbow's colour spreads its promise wide: think of me then.

 

Remember me, in the twilight hour,

When melancholy takes its toll,

Or when with joy an early sunbeam,

Wakes a response within your soul: think of me then.

 

Remember me, when you hear sweet music.

When a plaintive strum of harp strings sounds,

And woodwinds echo lush and calming,

Seducing with soft falling founts: think of me then.

 

Remember me as the seasons change,

In the chill of Winter; in the haze of summer.

On a soft Spring morn when your steps are gladdened.

When with Autumn's song your heart is saddened: think of me then.

 

Remember me, when life is ending.

When dreams and memories, sharply focused,

Return to mind, then you'll recall

The moment when our pathways crossed. Think of me then.

Larika

Yes Kevin I like them. Do you still see her? If you do tell her she can make a book here and not make it public. I have made many books here just for my grandchild, including a poetry book. If your friend has grandchildren they will really appreciate having a book written by their grandma.
PS Yes I have several websites. When I learned HTML ages ago I made them. Unfortunately I haven't retained my HTML

Larika

PS There's a beauty and intensity of emotion in the 2 you've sent.

Just Kevin

Yes Kevin I like them. Do you still see her?

Vanished without trace.

 If you do tell her she can make a book here and not make it public.

She was never in the remotest bit interested.

 I have made many books here just for my grandchild, including a poetry book. If your friend has grandchildren they will really appreciate having a book written by their grandma.

Oh I doubt she has grandkids, she was very young, and not much older now!

PS Yes I have several websites. When I learned HTML ages ago I made them. Unfortunately I haven't retained my HTML

And you kept the links to them?

Just Kevin

PS There's a beauty and intensity of emotion in the 2 you've sent.

Oh they go through the entire scale of emotions. All about the same person I was told. This is number 26 >> 

Deceitful Lies

The love we felt between us is shattered on the ground,

A million little pieces represent the joy I'd found.

The hours we passed together sitting, having fun,

Those days of laughter and happiness have now all surely gone.

I know you didn't love her, it was just a little fling.

But where is the comfort in the words, "I'm sorry," or the flowers that you bring?

I can never again kiss you or tell you it's alright,

Your pathetic words don't move me, I won't cry for you in the night.

You can go to her now and not feel guilty, take your clothes and possessions too,

You're a fool and both deserve each other, but can she love you like I do?

Because really I can't forget you, your voice and gentle caress,

The warmth that radiated around you, some of the best times I'll ever get.

But now that it's all over, promise me one thing please.

When you're arguing and screaming at each other, don't come back to me.

My heart can't stand to be broken, too many tears have fallen from my eyes.

No don't ever come near me you and your deceitful lies

Larika

Yes, I made one called My Faerie Website which had many, many visitors, bur at that time I was very active in the community. Now I just pop in from time to time, as I do with my other sites. I don't update them, except occasionally I delete some porn websites that have been added to my invitation to add their relevant site addresses.

Larika

A young, broken heart. I hope she managed to move on.

Just Kevin

Yes, I made one called My Faerie Website which had many, many visitors, bur at that time I was very active in the community. Now I just pop in from time to time, as I do with my other sites. I don't update them, except occasionally I delete some porn websites that have been added to my invitation to add their relevant site addresses.

Links please?

Just Kevin

A young, broken heart. I hope she managed to move on.

And much younger when she wrote them, I expect, so she must have moved on, fortunately. I will not be pasting in the later ones.

Larika

Here are 3 of them Kevin but none of them are specifically devoted to poetry. 

http://www.angelfire.com/stars3/larika/

http://www.angelfire.com/stars3/larika0/

http://www.angelfire.com/magic/fantasycards/

BlueAndGold

I think the thought of poetry in general has a bad connotation to many readers because there is so much of it published that is complete rubbish, lacking either rhyme or meter. "Free verse" has it's place, but in my opinion it is often used because the writer has no poetic talent otherwise.

I should clarify that yes, there is a lot of good free verse out there. But I believe many view poetry as a great wasteland, and for good reason.

Just Kevin

Here are 3 of them Kevin but none of them are specifically devoted to poetry. 

Thanks. Is that place still going! I used to know many who used it! I think I once used it myself! I don't recall having to open an account to get beyond people's homepage, though.

Larika

When I first used angelfire there were no adverts or annoying pop-ups. Now there are so many. I think it's still going strong, but now there are so many hosts where you can make websites without knowing HTML 

Just Kevin

I used to use this >>   http://www.homestead.com/create-a-website#.W_iydTdLFhE

It had, and maybe still does, have an exceptional drag and drop web builder that can be used off-line. It's not free though, even though it started off so.

I never bothered with the templates, I always started with blank pages. When intuit took it over though, many handy tools went, such as registration with search engines, not to mention Live help.

It was the best I found at the time, though.

http://www.homestead.com/design/sample-sites#.W_izZTdLFhE

Ron Miller

Larika said:

Here are 3 of them Kevin but none of them are specifically devoted to poetry. 

http://www.angelfire.com/stars3/larika/

http://www.angelfire.com/stars3/larika0/

http://www.angelfire.com/magic/fantasycards/

Love the greeting cards!

Larika

Thanks Ron.