Paul Hansford

Paul Hansford Poems

If you read somebody’s poem and it makes you want to say,
“I think this piece is wonderful; it really made my day, ”
just go ahead and say it – feedback like this is good,
but saying WHY you like it will please them (well, it should) .
...

Perhaps in another world
another sun comes
up,
lighting a different
...

The one who should have lived has gone so fast.
The old ones, in their dotage, linger on –
they, with no future, live only in the past.
...

I was only seventeen, and you were about the same,
and I knew nothing about you – I barely knew your name.
But I looked at you, and you looked at me, and we looked at each other, and then…
I knew, the first time you smiled at me, I wanted to see you again.
...

This is my husband, my mother said
to the nurse with pride,
only she meant me.
Everyone in the day-room knew
...

6.

I gave you violets;
you gave me your smile.

I gave you elderflower wine;
...

My ultimate ambition in life
is to be recycled. When I die
I shall not be put
with the newspapers, plastic bottles,
...

(After the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in a traffic accident, an RAF officer helps to carry her coffin to the plane for return to England.)

The burden I bear is more heavy than lead.
The physical weight is a thing that I share,
...

Called out of a staff meeting, I was told
my mother was on the point of death.
Searching in the regulations,
the secretary told me
...

They were going to start a new life;
childhood sweethearts become man and wife.
But a drunken stag-night
ended up in a fight,
...

Just as when looking into the sun
I am dazzled by pure light,
which is invisible,
and I only see what is lit
...

Still waters, deep,
surface like glass reflecting green above;
and below are trees, sky,
shadows, leaves, sunlight,
...

Why does the right hand get all the good jobs,
like greeting visiting dignitaries
(such a pleasure) ,
or blowing farewell kisses to the one you love
...

1
The morning sun warmed the dew
from the opening rosebud;
a bee visited the fragrant heart of the rose;
...

1.
Into a dull day
you came all unexpected.
My afternoon shone.
...

Stand there, he told me.
Look up, try not to move.
So I stood there
while he painted me in half-profile,
...

I have looked at sunsets as long as they lasted
the reds and the golds and the pinks of them
the play of light on the edges of clouds
the changing shadows over the land.
...

I write my shopping-list in rhyme.
It doesn’t take me too much time,
and always helps me to remember.
(I’ve been doing it since last September.)
...

Why does a cow say moo, Daddy?
How many leaves has a tree?
Why am I smaller than you, Daddy?
How does food turn into me?
...

January's frost and snow
makes your central heating blow.
February? That's no better;
almost as cold, and a good deal wetter.
...

Paul Hansford Biography

I am an ex-teacher (of all ages from 3 to 18) , and a member of a Poetry Workshop group - so I have to write at least once a month! You will find all kinds of poetry here, extracted from many years of writing. There are set forms and free, humorous, serious, romantic... so if you keep looking you should find something you like! I have self-published 2 books which sell locally (at least covering my expenses) , and am working towards a third. Some individual pieces have been printed in magazines and newspapers (including the Daily Mail) , I have been invited to read my work at the Cheltenham Festival of Literature, and have won a couple of prizes for my poetry.)

The Best Poem Of Paul Hansford

*how To Critique A Poem

If you read somebody’s poem and it makes you want to say,
“I think this piece is wonderful; it really made my day, ”
just go ahead and say it – feedback like this is good,
but saying WHY you like it will please them (well, it should) .

If somebody you don’t know says, “Please comment on my writing, ”
and you look at it, and find it … let’s say, rather unexciting,
then don’t forget – be tactful, find something good to say
before you start on finding fault – don’t ruin someone’s day.

And if you think it’s terrible, be careful how you speak.
Some people write as therapy; their life may be quite bleak.
Don’t be too harshly critical and leave them feeling worse,
but simply go to look elsewhere, and just ignore their verse.

Some poems, though, may leave you with a puzzle or a question,
or even make you want to give some tentative suggestion.
There’s nothing wrong with doing this – just get it off your chest,
but don’t think your ideas are necessarily the best.

With members, though, who claim they are God’s gift to Poesy,
(if there’s nothing to commend them as far as you can see)
you can state your own opinion – of course you have the right –
but don’t forget the golden rule: be HONEST but POLITE.

AND …

If you’re wanting other members to read something that you wrote,
it isn’t so unusual if you send them a note
saying, “Honoured Sir or Madam, I hope that you’ll agree
to open up my pages and read my poetry.”

Now, if to ask me to read yours you still might feel inclined,
please comment something that I wrote (that’s if you wouldn’t mind) .
For I will tell you kindly that, before I read a line,
I’d be much more interested if YOU’d first read some of MINE.

Paul Hansford Comments

Tonas Rivada 18 January 2022

Tomasrivadagmail.com ask when did you write that acrostic poetry 'Stroud'?

0 0 Reply
Mark Corry 23 July 2019

Hi, looking to get in contact with Paul Hansford regarding the use of a poem. Please email me at marklofo (@) gmail.com. Thanks

0 0 Reply
Catrina Heart 25 September 2009

A fabulous poet and great critique who have an eye and background in poetry. Reading his works you'll learn more about poetry is all about! ! !

1 0 Reply

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