Writing: Formal poetry
Villanelles, sonnets, haiku, limericks and more … Not all Janine’s poems follow strict forms, but these ones do …
Haiku: Tweeting
Haiku: The Tube
Haiku: Depression
Haiku: PM-KUs
Haiku: Profanity
Haiku: Unelected
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Haiku: Dreams
Memoir
Every year on holiday he says He’ll write his life, a memoir from the flat Where once a letter slipped beneath the mat And sent him off to work not college days He says he’ll put on record anecdotes Red … Read more
Red Brick Dreams
If I could build the world from LEGO bricks The clean-lined architecture would delight We’d build for function and construct for kicks Each beautiful creative studded site If I could build the world from LEGO bricks I wouldn’t let one … Read more
Sonnet to a Bricked-Up Window
Oh ticket office, ticket office, why Is your fair window really gone for good? However much I touch or hard I try The robot can not serve me like you could If you had closed ’cause I don’t have to … Read more
Sugar-Coated Sonnet
A sonnet written on the occasion of Lord Alan Sugar’s resignation form the Labour Party: So who invited that spiv to the party? No, we don’t want his cut-throat sort round here His anti-social manners are so nasty He’s nicking … Read more
Gallipoli
Written on the centenary of the start of the appalling slaughter that was the Gallipoli campaign in World War One: Rank corpses carpeted Gallipoli At Russell’s Top, Lone Pine and Suvla Bay By bullet, bayonet or dysentery Eight months of … Read more
We, The Undersigned
I’m going to add my name to two petitions My sense of right and justice is inflamed I usually have no time for politicians But those who keep their silence should be shamed There comes a time to stand up … Read more
Sonnet for Shahrokh and Reza
Shahrokh Zamani and Reza Shahabi are imprisoned in Iran for organising trade unions. Tragically, Shahrokh died on 13 September 2015 They hold in prison those whom power fears Shahrokh and Reza, Rajai Shahr’s closed doors Lock up these men but … Read more
The Boris Bridge
Have a read of this: another scandal from City Hall. And here’s a sonnet to (not) celebrate … Roll up! Roll up! for BoJo’s garden bridge We hope financial footfall will be brisk A tourist trap for paying patronage … Read more
N38 To The World
A Petrarchan sonnet (yes, really) on getting a night bus to catch an international train … I used to but I haven’t missed this bus At 5a.m., a half-full cart to take The staff who clean and guard before you wake … Read more
Cameron Cares?
That tear-stained bit of David Cameron’s Conservative Party conference speech … “How very dare you suggest I don’t care for the great NHS? I love it so dearly I’d sell it for nearly As much as my granny – or … Read more
Death Row Diner
Get this! Hopelessly unthinking about the barbarity and injustice of state executions, we have a “pop-up restaurant” themed as “death row dinners”. Pass the sick bag. May I invite you to my cell to dine? Is this the final meal … Read more