“I Like to Write Things Down in Rhyme…”

Sylvia Reaney with her new book
Sylvia Reaney with her new book

Story: Saleema Imam

One of our regular contributors, Sylvia Reaney, has had a volume of her work published.

‘I Like to Write Things Down in Rhyme’ comprises over 30 poems on themes from special occasions, life’s lessons, to our world and family (some long, some short and some which could easily be set to music). The volume was put together for Sylvia’s 80th birthday by her grand daughter Claire. Sylvia told the Messenger,

“I didn’t know anything about it, I thought it was brilliant. I’ve written poetry for years, I often write for family and friends on special occasions.”

On the back of the book Claire writes,

“From her vast collection we’ve selected just the best. If this book is a best seller then we may publish the rest!”

Verses from one of my favourites runs like this:

An ode to the Forties

Anderson shelters, siren suits
Wedge heeled shoes and welly boots
Dinky curlers, Victory roll
Sandbags full and rationed oil

Torches covered, windows black
Searchlight posts and guns 'Ack-Ack'
Air raid shelters, barrage balloons
Wire netting spread on the dunes

Battleships and submarines
Call up papers in your teens
Gas mask cases, identity card
Stirrup pumps and home guard

“I Like to Write Things Down in Rhyme…” is available from Sylvia’s website.

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The content on this page was added to the website by Derrick Okrah on 2010-05-29 19:36:41.
The content of the page was last modified by Douglas Johnson on 2010-05-31 13:09:01.

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