Books & Poetry

Wednesday, Mar 30, 2016

Poem: Collecting Things

Books & Poetry

In this week’s Poet’s Corner, Bev Hedgman looks at the connection between collecting, history and memories.

Compiled by John Miles

Wednesday March 30, 2016

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Collecting Things

I have petals in books, and leaves,
Pressed there, preserving them
In simple coloured beauty.

I have photos in albums,
Of family and friends,
Beloved cats and dogs,
Keeping alive
Their faithful memories.

I have books on shelves,
Collections of words,
Collections of stories,
Our history, where we came from,
Who lived before, our heritage.

I have stones and rocks and shells,
From the beach, the river, gathered as a child
And all through my life.
I’ve placed them around my garden
To talk to as I weed and plant.

I have gathered memories,
Where I have lived
The people, the places I’ve known
That no one can see or share,
Kept very close and very dear.

Bev Hedgman, originally from New Zealand, lives in the Adelaide Hills. There she enjoys walking with dog Harry and is a member of Hill Poets, whose second anthology, Through the Tunnel, was reviewed in InDaily. She also runs a writing group at the Norton Summit Community Centre and has enjoyed poetry over a lifetime, being introduced to it by one of those “special teachers”.

Photo: Allison Turrell / flickr

Readers’ original and unpublished poems of up to 40 lines can be emailed, with postal address, to poetscorner@solsticemedia.com. A poetry book will be awarded to each contributor.