Nicola Hulme

Updated: Tue, 12 Jan 2021 07:52 pm

http://nicolahulmeblog.wordpress.com

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Biography

I joined Stockport WOL, in April 2016, introduced via a workshop at the Art Gallery. I've been attending since and absolutely love the group. There are some exceptionally talented poets, each with their individual style. The monthly meetings are always a pleasure and always unearth hidden treasures. I'm hoping their influence will rub off on me at some point, until then I continue to clunk through my poetry and distract myself by writing stories for children.

Samples

The Silence Still Talks Confined to a tiny apartment terrified of a viral threat she rocks in her chair listening to voices in the corridor Who is going out? To voices in the street Who are they? Are they infected? She turned off the TV months ago when depression became too much to bear. In the silence she waits for the danger to pass listening to the constant chatter of her mind. Through tears she writes to loved ones Between crazed sentences she wishes them well “Perhaps” she says, “we’ll meet again at Christmas.” Changes “Predictive text you are so clever” said no one in the world pepper. You act when there is no seaweed inserting “penis” instead of “please.” When inadvertently, I press a key where are you to rescue me? If the settings were simple to use, I would have turned you off Syracuse but as I’m unable to figure it out, here you stay to annoy my trout. March 2018 Joy Found Found when the blackbird trills a Vivaldi suite from his newel post. His majestic musicality throws open the shutters of winter’s silence, heralding the arrival of Spring. Found in the regal nod of daffodils; with halo’ d glow acknowledging tulips standing tall hands cupped, raised in praise. Found in the allure of demure, reticent bluebells their violet haze half hidden beneath hedgerows and trees Found in the intoxicating, heavy aroma of hawthorn offering Pagan protection to maidens of May. Found in sun rays pouring through neglected murky windows. Its spell turning specs of floating dust into a mesmerising fairie waltz. Found in the instinctive pull, nudging the drowsy-eyed gardener to gather his tools; to nurture the ground To synergise with seeding birds, pollenating bees and humble aerating worms, who till the earth as they journey by. Found as the fresh easterly wind tousles your hair. and colours your cheeks after a wan winter of shadows bringing warmth back into your expression. April 2018 Threadbare Each family member spins a yarn. Tales told over years are embellished with brass buttons and ribbon strands. Sepia memories kept in a Jubilee biscuit tin are brought out and closely studied with moist eyes. Though charity shop clothes were worn until the cuffs frayed, troubles were patched at the elbows and spare buttons found amongst the treasure in the old treacle tin, which sat next to bundled knitting needles and china cups, saved for best "in case the Queen should come". A thimble was all that was needed to protect the seamstress, until the day she laid down her work and found rest; leaving her children and theirs, to pick up the thread and embroider their own stories, to pick up the shears and cut their own cloth, each stitch a priceless and unique addition. April 2018 The Sycamore Prince Slender branches silhouette beneath his golden crown. Sparks thrown out by the silver sun ignite his flaming hues. The autumnal prince towers above ethereal mists, caught between earth and sky. In a final flourish, passionate embers of saffron and copper smoulder. Only to cool as the light fades and chill winds blow. Each yellow fingered leaf, I mourn as it falls and returns to it’s roots. I will his warming glow to remain to comfort my spirits during November’s nip and winters depths. Knowing my protests cannot halt ruthless frosts from calling “time”. November 2017

Publications

Author of Children's Picture Books Portia The Pear and The Fixer Man, both published by Tiny Tree Children's Books (available on Amazon). Contributor to the following anthologies: Looking Back / Looking Forward (Armistice Centenary 2018) Ekphrastic Towers (2019) Peterloo Poems (2019) Woven Transitions (2020) 8 Weeks of Lockdown (2020) 6 Weeks of Lockdown (2020)

All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.