Discovering Poetry: My Journey from Novice Pagan to Poet

I’m pretty certain that I’ve answered this question many times before now! Needless to say, it’s certainly one of both some importance and significance when recalling one’s journey within the World of Poetry writing. One which is no doubt quite different when compared to that of others.

The Early Years and Secondary School

Poetry wasn’t my main interest while attending Secondary School in the UK or even in those years prior to this. Naturally, we learned about poetry as part of the school curriculum, and I still recall some aspects of this many years later, but I certainly didn’t write any poems of my own. It wasn’t even due to the fact that I had no interest in such things, but rather that my main interest lay elsewhere.

Illustrious names such as those of the poets of WW1, like Rupert Brooke and Wilfred Owen, come to mind when I look back upon this era in my life. No doubt they must have had some form of impact or made an impression upon myself otherwise I wouldn’t have remembered them. The ancient history and lost civilisations of Schooldays were where I was at, and the composing of poetry scarcely crossed my mind.

English as My Favorite Subject

English was most certainly one of my favourite school subjects, and within my stream, I rather excelled. These lessons would include aspects of poetry as well as the usual grammar. Strangely, though, it never really occurred to me to compose any pieces of my own devising. It wasn’t that I showed no interest, but rather that other thoughts occupied my mind.

Ancient histories and lost civilisations were where I was at during those schooldays, and the composing of poetry scarcely crossed my mind. I spent much of my free time in the school library, undertaking research and becoming enthralled with ancient cultures and their connection to the BIBLE.

The Chance Encounter with Erica Jong

What made me interested in writing poetry? Absolutely nothing should be my obvious response to your question! It wasn’t something which was planned, but rather came about quite by chance. I was attempting to find my feet so to say as a novice Pagan. I was somewhat enthralled by the writings of Erica Jong, a writer, poet, and as Providence would have it, also a witch! It was, however, her poetry that took my own inspiration. Something which I would later refer to or maybe think of as my Pagan Musings. It never actually occurred to me that these same writings may even be thought of as poetry.

A Latent Talent Emerges

In retrospect, I now understand that a latent talent was already present, and I was somewhat slow in recognizing the signs. Maybe somewhere in the back of my mind, it must have occurred to me that these writings were in essence a form of poetry. Those years in question were between 1977-1986. This essentially is where or when it all began. It wouldn’t be for many years following this period that I would pick up my pen once again and recognize the poet within myself. I had at long last found my muse. The season was Spring, and the year was 2015.

Conclusion

So much water has passed under the proverbial bridge since those days of early youth. A moment in time certainly not forgotten and perhaps one which would shape that which was to follow. My journey as a poet is a unique one, and I can only hope to continue on this path of self-discovery and writing.

? WitchyWomanWriter § o~/~o Sunday, December 4th, 2022. Strictly no copying or reproduction of this work is to be undertaken without the prior permission of the author / writer.