In which I graduate, enroll, and apologise at the same time…

Hullo everyone,

I haven’t wrote a poem, nor posted one to my blog for just over a month now. I miss it.

But I hope now, as I can happily say that I’ve been accepted onto my Masters course, I can return to it once again. I’m ecstatic at being selected for the course, as I wasn’t the strongest candidate, but now all that stands in my way is the funding (which I’m in the process of applying for), so all’s not set in stone – keeping my fingers & toes crossed!

A few more hurdles to jump over and then, hopefully, all being well, I can get back to being a bit more creative.

Apologies for the sudden hiatus, but life really does get in the way sometimes.

Onwards and upwards! x

Also, in case you missed it, here’s me, graduating:

I did it!

Eve’s Check-In: Viva la Nature!

Hullo everyone!

How are you doing?

It’s been a busy couple of months for me, what with finishing my degree and moving back home. I’m in the process of applying for my Masters – fingers, thumbs and toes crossed for that!

Here’s a small collection my photography from my back garden in black and white (my favourite) for you to enjoy. I’m still learning, but that’s all part of the fun! Kudos and love to my mother who makes the flowers look as wonderful as they do. (Plus a couple of doggy pics  – aren’t they handsome?)

The top image has words from a recent favourite poem of mine: “Inversnaid” by Gerard Manley Hopkins. The poem details much the way I empathise with nature, and how sometimes, for better or worse, us humans intervene. It really is beautiful, so I urge you to take a peek.

Try reading it aloud in your best Scottish accent, I do! It’s great fun; plus it’s helped me memorise it.

For the poem see here: Inversnaid

For more on Hopkins see here: The Poet

Take care, with love,

Eve x

How does nature make you feel?

I’ll Be Back!

Hello everyone,

Sorry for suddenly disappearing!

I’ve got my final University exam coming up, so I’ve not been able to write for the blog – revision, revision.

But, I shall be back soon!

I hope you’ve been keeping well, miss you!

Looking forward to catching up with you all~

Love,

Eve
xxx

I rather like this photo, there’s a lot going on that I didn’t notice as I took it!

And, we’re done!

Hello everyone! How have you been?

This is just a quick post to let you all know that I’ve finally finished!

All my work is done, and I’ll be back to blogging shortly~

My Preciousssssss

I can’t wait to get back into the swing of things, I’ve missed you all!

See you soon,

Eve xxx

Eve’s Check-in: An Instagram Addict is Born!

Hello everyone!

So, the deadline for my dissertation is fast approaching. I know that my posts have been few this month, but it’s been a super busy one so I hope you all forgive me!

I’m making sure to read everyone’s posts as they come, but bear with me, I’m a little slower than usual at the moment!

I’ve recently discovered Instagram, I know, I’m slow, right? 😛 But as a small token of my thanks for your all your thoughts, comments, and ongoing support, I’d like to offer you some photographs that I’ve taken over the course of a few months/years.

Some are fairly recent, like the ones in the Peak District, Sheffield, and others are from my time in Kyoto, Japan 2011. I’ve even thrown in a pic of my doggie, Jodie; isn’t she a little cutie?

Sakura – Kyoto, Japan.

Perfect – Peak District, Sheffield, UK.

Open wide! – Kyoto, Japan.

Firey Maple – Kyoto, Japan.

So much green to see~ – Peak District, Sheffield, UK.

River Guardian – Kyoto, Japan.

Pretty Peaks – Peak District, Sheffield, UK.

Where’s the birdy? – Sheffield Botanical Gardens.

Cherry Blossoms – Kyoto, Japan.

In the hills! – Peak District, Sheffield, UK.

How far does it all go? – Peak District, Sheffield, UK.

Across the bridge – Kyoto, Japan.

High-five! – Sheffield Botanical Gardens.

Cloudy~ – Peak District, Sheffield, UK.

Lost in the woods – Peak District, Sheffield, UK.

One of my lovely doggies, Jodie.

Up in the clouds~ – Peak District, Sheffield, UK.

Birds in flight~ – Weston Park, Sheffield, UK.

Snowy trees – Peak District, Sheffield, UK.

“Nature does not hurry.” – Peak District, Sheffield, UK.

What a view! – Peak District, Sheffield, UK.

© Eve Redwater 2011-2012

That’s it for this months check-in! I hope you enjoyed, and that you’re all well! Thank you once again for following, commenting, and being as lovely as you all are.

Until next time~

With love,

Eve xxx

[If you would like to follow me on Instagram, I’m simply known as everedwater – lets link up!]

Eve’s Check-In: March

ello everyone, I hope this post finds you well!

Recently, I’ve been thinking that I should make some monthly, regular updates to check in with you all, see how you’re all doing, feeling, etc. and generally have a space for us all to have a natter and share a few smiles, so let me know what you think in the comment section below!

Since my last post, “Hello!”, where I voiced some personal concerns, I feel as though my poetry writing has taken another turn, and it’s certainly for the better. When I wrote “Hello!”, I was feeling a little put-out; I was lacking confidence and worrying a whole lot about meeting and exceeding my readers expectations. Now, things feel a little calmer; though that’s not to say I still remain — not so much anxious — but eager to make my writing better. I hope that comes across.

Everyone who follows this blog is special to me. Without you, I wouldn’t be writing the way I do, nor would I be as grateful as I am that I started writing again. Genuinely, thank you to you all for sticking with me, reading my work, and of course commenting. I read each and every one of your comments, and try my best to answer them all. You’ve no idea how much I appreciate them all, so thank you so much!

I was away for a few days last week because of university. I’m currently working on my dissertation, so things are really starting to get busy! I really missed posting, so I’m making sure to keep this blog up to date as I go. Writing poetry is an extremely relaxing and enjoyable process for me, and as a general rule, I try to write each day. I’d post every single day if I thought I wouldn’t bombard you, but I’ll do my best to refrain from overloading you all!

I’d also like to mention that I have decided to refrain from accepting any blog awards from now on. I am aware that some of you have awarded me some, (they’ve not gone unnoticed, thank you for thinking of me!) it’s just that for now I would like to concentrate on improving this blog as it stands. I really appreciate it, but please pass those nominations on to another well-deserving blogger!

“A poem is never finished, only abandoned.” – Paul Valery

Also, some lovely news regarding a publication. One of my much older poems named: “The Bell House” is going to be published in print via Forward Poetry in one of their poetry anthologies called: “The Clock Strikes Thirteen”. It will be distributed throughout libraries in the UK and Ireland soon! I wrote this poem at the beginning of my blog’s life, so I was extremely surprised (and ecstatic) to receive the news. To be honest, I think it’s one of my much weaker poems as I was just starting out. As such, I feel honoured that they’d even consider me, so to be published is absolutely fantastic. It’s an important first step for me, and perhaps it will help take my poetry that little bit further in the future. It’s the longest poem I’ve written so far, so I don’t expect you to read it all if you don’t want to! If you want to take a peek however, click the link and let me know what you think – I’d love to hear any and all of your thoughts about it as it never really had much exposure.

I think I’ll leave it there for now, but before I do, I would just like to say a big, big thank you to every single one of you for taking the time to read, rate, comment and subscribe to my poetry and blog. It means more to me than I can possibly express; you all keep me writing and I look forward to it each day. If you have any burning questions, thoughts, etc. you’d like to mention, please leave me a comment below! It’s always lovely chatting to you all.

Lets keep creative~

With love,

[Edit: As of 21/01/2012 I’ve updated my “About me.” page, too! I hope it’s a bit better!]

Hello!

Dear blogging friends,

Hello, a bit of a different post today!

As prompted by Debra from Three Well Beings, I’ve been thinking that perhaps I should write a little more about myself recently, and that perhaps you might like to read more about me. So, ta dah! (*Jazz hands*)

To think that I’ve met so many wonderful, gifted people on WordPress, that constantly enlighten my day makes me eternally happy. I enjoy writing poetry so much, and never would have imagined I would make a blog to try and share my thoughts and work with you all.

But, I did. This blog started completely at random. It was an impulsive decision, much like the decision that caused me to start writing my story (I suppose you could call it a ‘novel’, but it’s still in its infancy.), but that’s just the way my mind works sometimes!

When it comes to my poetry, I feel honoured by all of your kind comments and thoughts, and your support genuinely helps me continue working.

But recently, I’ve felt uneasy about my work. While writing is a pleasurable exercise for me, my self-doubt has begun its uncomfortable creeping, thus I feel like my poetry is suffering somewhat.

The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore. — Vincent Van Gogh

I realise that when I first started, my poetry was indeed rubbish, I’ll wholeheartedly admit that! I look back at it and think: “Wow, really? You thought that was good enough?”. It kind of makes me laugh, though! Again, I wrote entirely on impulse. I didn’t think about the entire poetry writing process, I just let the words fall out of my head. Now, I try to be more careful whilst still maintaining that ‘random’ style of writing that is me. I know that I’ve improved since I started blogging, but now I feel as though I’ve hit a glass ceiling; and I know for a fact its been put there by me.

I admire many successful poets, but feel frustrated whenever I compare myself to their work. Which is understandable. However, that feeling drives me forward to write better material. It’s just when I realise that even then my work is under par, that I become frustrated. I blame that on my childish nature in part.

I simply do not wish to put my readers off. To have developed a following in the first place is more than I ever dreamed would happen. It really is a lovely thing so, from the heart, thank you everyone!

I know that my poetry is different. I’m not writing about unicorns and cupcakes, but, that’s just not my style. We all have a personal style don’t we? I suppose what I’m trying to say is: bare with me. Improving my writing will take time, I know that.

Sorry, everyone. This has turned into a “pour my heart out” piece; my apologies! I would however, love to hear your thoughts.

I want to make my writing better for all of you – and for myself.

All the best to you all, wherever you are in the world.
I hope to hear from you soon!

With love from my rambling mind,

Eve
xxx

As I usually add photographs to my posts, I thought I’d add this one. I took this at the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, Japan (京都御所, Kyōto Gosho) last autumn. I thought the colours were beautiful. Once autumn starts, nearly all the trees look like this.
© Eve Redwater 2012

My First Award Nomination!

I am very pleased to say that I have been kindly nominated for the Liebster Blog Award by BlueGem (http://bluegem555.wordpress.com/)! Thank you so much!

This is an award given to blogs that have less than 200 followers and deserve more recognition and encouragement.There are some guidelines that has to be followed while giving or receiving the Award.

The rules for receiving the award:
1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top five picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Hope that the people you’ve sent the award to forward it to their five favorite bloggers and keep it going!
–
I wish to pass this award along to the following five blogs:
1. http://saratoolemiller.wordpress.com/
2. http://rtewrite.wordpress.com/
3. http://thinspiralnotebook.wordpress.com/
4. http://rosereads.wordpress.com/
5. http://lscotthoughts.com/

You’ll find wonderful poetry, musings, thoughts and wonders in these blogs, you won’t be disappointed! Lets share the love!

A Beast Most Queer

A mistake you make, for treading here,

A battered sound and shape most queer,

Cometh rise, and thicken grin,

The creatures teeth do bare within.

 

Fervent dreams of days untold,

Do dwell within this mossy hold,

Both bird and beast do linger here,

And with that dwells the beast most queer.

 

A crackled groan doth warn of he,

And under stars, and birds, and sea,

He grin and grope at natures door,

A wretched foe, of form unsure.

 

Brittle'd twigs and fern collide,

When met with his ungodly stride,

He flickers most unwary foes,

And thrice his jaws will grip your woes.

 

This be tale of beast most queer,

His malice wrought by mind in fear,

A portentous thief of sullied night

He lives to smile, and writhe; and bite.

© copyright Eve Redwater 2011

The Griggalorth

When morning comes on Grimbled Grove,
Oh how fine a day to be,
A crinkled mess on shore and land,
The Griggalorth will be.

A mighty beast of horn and fur,
Though timid to the sun,
Comes bounding, tumbling, fumbling over,
The hills of mossy scrum.

A placid beast of best unknown,
To kin and children borne,
Do fear the feral antics of,
That which has such fearsome horn.

Clawed and broad are both his paws,
Yet ambivalent to his plans,
Oh thou that stumbles in Grimbled Grove,
Be subject to his plans.

Through day he rests, oblivious,
To sandy storms and lore,
Though bitter winds may whisper through,
And tug bitterly at his paw.

The Griggalorth doth rest and wait,
For timing most untrue,
Oh hapless thou that stumble here,
A most grievous end to you.