University of the Third Age
Poetry Group
The group meet at Crawley Library, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday’s from 11.00 a.m.
“Oh no - I’m not interested in poetry!”
Oh yes you are! All the important events of your life are somehow connected with poetry - from the simplest wishes on greetings cards (however feeble these may be) to lullabies and nursery rhymes, words of hymns, words of love songs and expressions of joy and grief... At school nowadays children do not appear to learn poems by heart, or even to read poetry to any great extent, but those of us who were lucky enough to have these experiences in our schooldays certainly remember many poems which may not have seemed to leave any lasting impression at the time but which are somehow stored in our memories and reappear much later, and we appreciate them for the valuable truths they hold.
The Crawley U3A Poetry Group has given many people the opportunity to come together every second Wednesday and enjoy talking about poetry, reading their own choice of poems aloud, reading poems they have written, discussing aspects of poets and poetry from all ages and countries. We have a list of topics chosen every year, with widely different subjects - everyone has a chance to view their ideas and read poems connected with the title of the session. Here are the titles we have had for this year: 'Tales', ' Mirrors',' Love', 'Races',' Fire,' 'Treasure', 'Hands', 'Buildings', 'Laughter', 'Scenery', Parties', 'Disappointment' .... As you see, some topics are 'easy' - (' Love,' 'Tales'). The title can be very widely dealt with - 'Races' for instance could be taken as sporting races or different questions dealing with racism.
Every member has a turn every session, and all are prepared to join in and discuss. At the end the leader of the group hands out a 'worksheet' - giving an extra dollop of information about different forms of poem, details of interesting poets, or just a selection of poems that seem relevant.
Information and entertainment, in a very friendly atmosphere!
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