I've been asked to write a poem for a Christening where I don't know the parents very well. I don't have much time and I'm a bit worried in case I can't produce anything good enough. I've said that as well as trying to write something, I would ask around to see if anyone could recommend anything suitable that is already out there.

They want a poem that is uplifting - will make people laugh, though it is ok if there is some poignancy in it. They are a large, close family where children and the generations are important. The christening is for twin girl and boy and they would like something in the poem that hightlights the difficulty of the multiple birth scenario - something that other parents of twins or parents in general, could identify with. They aren't particularly religious.

It is possible that there isn't a poem out there that fits the bill exactly. I would just be grateful for the details of any that other poets may be aware of - though I probably shouldn't read them till I've had a bash at writing one myself, in case I'm influenced...

Thanks

Isobel x

Just a thought Isobel...
How about an epitaph sort of poem based loosely and in your very own unique style based around the meaning and traits associated with their names. (yes i know, epitaphs are usually given at funerals but the form might just inspire you)
Maybe you could include something on the history of their family surname too.
The humour will come automatically for you because you do it so well anyway :-)

There's my little bit.xx
There is a link on WOL that provides some help with epitaphs and loads of sites which have definitions for names, girls and boys :-)

first of all you need to take a step back and take a deep breath clear all the thourghts which is rattleing round your head. you can do a poem for it easily if you clear your mind look inside your hart and the words you will find. one a girl and one a boy the best of both is the greatest joy. an aching back a a 9 mounth track etc....... i think you should use the fact of it being a long 9 mounths of being sick in the toilet struggleing to stand up etc and end it with the enlightment of the twins being brought in to the world i hope i have helped

Burns

use 'my cat jeoffrey' by Christopher Smart? as a template

barry

No-one can point me to the perfect poem that's already written then...

Looks like I'm going to have to sit down and drag a poem out of myself then.

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions - they are great - I will sit down on Tuesday afternoon with you 3 spiritually by my side and see what I can do.

xxx

Just think about your own children Isobel. I know you love them - as I love mine. Imagine what you would hope for them - imagine what you hoped for them when they were little. Let your heart tell you what to write. You'll do good!! xx

Thanks Ann - just got back from a panto to read your lovely message. I think you are a little bit like me in that you can't always write to theme. As soon as I heard the list of criteria for the poem my heart started to sink. I'm honoured to be asked but worried also. Aren't us humans stupid? I'm going to start thinking positively. I WILL write a good poem, I WILL write a good poem - Oh yes I WILL write a good poem...

Will let you know what I do or don't write anyway!

xx

Just thought I'd let you know that it is bubbling along nicely folks. I've gone for somewhere inbetween poetry and after dinner speech because they wanted light hearted - but I've chucked some poignancy in for good measure. Gonna try to finish it tonight and post it so you can take a look. It is such a relief to have found the inspiration after a few failed attempts.

Here it is. Am so relieved to have finished it - I might get to write something for my Burns night now - or the childhood poetry comp. I've changed all the names in it cos I didn't want to encroach on their privacy - which has impacted on alliteration in places LOL - it is a light hearted piece though. I will ask Admin to delete the thread in a few weeks time - I don't suppose there is any point in finished threads hanging around forever really. There must be a market out there for poetry on birth and multiple birth - there is very little out there.




ONCE IN A BLUE MOON


January 2009
Far out on an utterly insignificant little blue-green planet, in the uncharted peaceful backwaters of the North Western Hemi-sphere lies Macclesfield, home to James, Sarah and Megan Clunes – unsuspecting recipients of a Gemini phenomena that will forever change their lives….

December 2009
And the world witnesses
Not one but
Two full moons
One Geminid meteor shower,
And a partial lunar eclipse
Astronomers confirm
That Blue moons do exist
And just to prove it
on the 14th day
Of the 12th month
Of the 9th new millennium year
Joseph and Emma Clunes tear through
The inner membrane
Squeeze through the upper stratosphere
storm the outer atmosphere
Providing a light and sound show
On quite a different scale.

ONLY those with twins could understand
Red rimmed eyes ringed like Saturn
from long, long nights where sleep was but a dream
ONLY those with twins could understand
The dry washed skin worn thin
from the sink not swim of the laundry bin
ONLY those with twins could understand
That twice equates to more than double
For space is a concept, a vacuum more than filled

It’s life Jim, but not as we know it…

As the Clunes claw their way through infancy, Sarah is secretly relieved that the 2009 world summit on green house gas emissions failed! For somewhere in the Amazon rain forest, an area the size of Wembley stadium lies decimated – converted into Pampers disposables, now neatly stacked in her ‘grey’ wheelie bin - a part of Joseph and Emma that will be ‘forever England’…

Now for the Clunes of Macclesfield, moving from A to B starts to be a problem, unless of course, B lies within their own four walls… Beyond those messy bricks, holidays and transportation are a problem. Whilst James considers buying a timeshare in Manchester, Sarah negotiates the simpler hurdles of walking down the local high street. Prams and buggies come in varying shapes and sizes but none seem to adequately accommodate 2 babies and a toddler. Side by side, the whole pavement is dominated in a ‘get outamyway you aggravating pensioner’ kind of way. Tandem style, the front end arrives a full half hour before Sarah does. What’s more, mounting the kerb becomes more the task of a transsexual Russian shot putter – from back in the good old days when steroids were a mystery. Buggy boards for easy transportation of elder siblings are in theory an excellent idea – if one can adapt to walking with all the graceful deportment of Max Wall – or (for those who don’t remember him), an early homo sapien primate. ‘One small step for man, one giant leap for woman kind…’ The lunacy of space investment is never more keenly felt. How could we possibly send man to the moon and yet struggle to transport twins to our local Sainsbury’s… ???

Meanwhile, Sarah is heartily bemused by the ignorance of the general public. The sight of not one but two adorable babies leading Joe Blogs to extraordinary lengths of familiarity… Were they naturally conceived? One test tube or two? And what might be the length, texture and load bearing capacity of her inside leg? The fact that woman has two mammary glands does not go unremarked, as of course their relative value in suckling twins.
She smiles her secret smile; for this mother has one heart, beating to its own tune! Our solar system stands firm. One sun, split not between its eight orbital spheres but central, each planet nurtured fully to its core.

Joseph and Emma are the lucky ones. They could’ve landed on so many planets and yet here they are in Macclesfield, with James, Sarah, Megan and such a large loving extended family – earth, wind, water and fire – optimum conditions for survival…

May God bless them on their journey.

x

ps Just noticed I repeated problem twice - I'll change one to issue.

Thanks to all for the suggestions and moral support :)

Brill well done Isobel Knew you had it in ya, loved it you captured it brilliantly i'm sure they will be over the moon with it ;)

Thank you Burns. The foot note to this is that they weren't over the moon with it :( At least I'm presuming they weren't, since the Christening was last week-end and I've heard nothing from anyone since I delivered my baby to them.

The moral to this story is - don't write anything for anyone unless you know them very well or they are offering you shed loads of money to do it...

Thanks for taking an interest! xx