Poetic pensioners pen book of verse (From This Is Local London)

Poetic pensioners pen book of verse

8:00am Wednesday 25th November 2009

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A GROUP of poetic pensioners from Enfield claim to be the first over 50s forum in the country to publish an anthology of verse.

The collection, called Poetry Lines, consists of 37 poems written by 16 members, many of whom are in their 80s and have never before seen their work in print.

The Enfield Over 50s Forum poetry group was formed in April 2008 after learning fee concessions for older people were withdrawn from local colleges by the Government.

Founder Monty Meth, 83, from Laken Heath, who had never written a poem before the classes began, said: "There was a clear demand from older people for the opportunity to do some leisure learning after these courses - creative writing, flower arranging, language lessons - were taken away from us.

"I have always had a love of poetry, so this seemed to be an appropriate course to set up.

"We are very proud of yet another achievement by our forum. It's a lovely little book and just shows what older people can do, given the opporunity.

"Many of the members had never seen their work in print before and their eyes lit up when they saw the finished copy."

The 33-page paperback cost more than £1,000 to put together and was part-funded by Enfield Council, Enfield North MP Joan Ryan and a Masonic Lodge.

The group meets once a month in Oakwood Library, in Bramley Road, to discuss their work.

David Oliver, the forum's poetry co-ordinator, started writing poems 40 years ago and has had around ten poems published by Forward Press over the past five years.

The 74-year-old, from Laken Heath, writes "factual, not romantic" poems, and the occasional "limerick that some people might object to".

He added: "We started by just reading and discussing our favourite poems. This grew into us writing and airing our own work, which revealed not only the hidden talent there is in our community, but also that poetry can be composed by ordinary people - not just the literary establishment."

Forum chair Irene Richards said: "By publishing this unique collection of verse, we are showing what can be done to help raise the quality of life of older people, keeping them mentally active for as long as possible and out of the clutches of the NHS."

Poetry Lines costs £3.50 and is available from the Enfield Over 50s Forum, at Millfield House, Silver Street, London N18 1PJ.

Call 020 8807 2076 to order a copy.

You Are Old, by Irene Richards

"You are old", my grandson said
In a voice sepulchral and heavy as lead
"Yes, in years, my love, indeed I am
but in my mind I live and thrive
as young as ever I was - and so alive!
Able to run and dance about
I can, despite my years, still fall in love
And know the rapture of soft lips on mine
Still feel the thrill of body seeking body.
Oh yes, my love - I am not dead yet!"

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