Thrilled at poetry opportunity

I attended my first Gosford Bush Poets gathering last month.

It was held upstairs at the Gosford Hotel in a cosy room with a group of interesting people who attend the occasion on the last Wednesday evening in every month.

At first, I did not think I would present any of my poems.

The first folks performed pieces from the works of well-known poets such as Henry Lawson, Banjo Patterson and Shakespeare.

Without referring to written words, these poets portrayed ballads and narrative poetry brilliantly.

It was a night of entertainment and I thought my style of poetry would not fit in with this wonderful occasion.

However, others took to the microphone.

One read a heartfelt poem he had written.

It wasn't comical or storytelling, it was straight from his heart.

Because of this, I realised my poems would be appropriate and I was told people who write their own poems could read them out.

When delivering a piece by another poet, one is required to memorise and perform it by heart.

Of course, the environment was friendly and warm, so mistakes could be made ... adding to the beauty and humanness of the event.

I presented short poems from my collection and received a customary standing ovation: a first timer's reward.

I am thrilled to be sharing my work.

Suzie Palmer, Umina