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Rosemary DuMont's avatar

I am 77 years old. I have written poetry off and on forever, just for me. Once in awhile I post a self-written poem on Facebook. Yes Facebook. As I said I'm 77 years old and that's the platform I know. Substack is brand new for me. But I love the idea that there is a group of women who are trying to encourage each other to write poetry. So I'd like to be an observer for a while and see how it goes. If you are all truly young things, I might feel out of my league. I think at the age of 77 I might have different concerns - maybe not.

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Hello Rosemary, how lovely to 'meet' you on here. And welcome to Substack more broadly, it's a really great platform if you're a writer. I don't think age is a barrier for us here. I hope not anyway. Of course. Come and observe. I love the idea of a group of women encouraging each other to write poetry too. You are so very welcome to join us whenever feels good x

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small victories's avatar

I love this! I happily, giddily cheerlead this, pom-poms and all.

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Allegra Chapman's avatar

I love this! I was Chair of my university Poetry Society (yes, that is absolutely as cool as it sounds), and then after I graduated I never wrote another poem and barely ever read them. Then over the last couple of months something has happened to me. I started secretively writing a little bit of poetry (but just, like, as a writing warm-up kind of thing, you understand), and when my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I surprised even myself by saying "Please can I have many poetry books!" So now I have admitted to myself that actually I would now like to write and read poetry again, and then this popped up in my feed. So this is my long and slightly unhinged way of saying, hello, yes I would like to join in please!

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Oh we were meant to find each other. I love that you were chair of the university poetry society. And your secret poetry writing. And I can’t wait to hear what poetry books you got for Christmas. X

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Allegra Chapman's avatar

I got an anthology called Every Night is Full of Stars, which I'm really loving dipping into every night before I go to bed. And I plan on treating myself to a few more!

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

I really like an anthology. They are great for discovering new poets aren’t they x

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Allegra Chapman's avatar

Yes I really love opening an anthology at a random page and finding something new and unexpected.

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Mamie White's avatar

I’m in between a shy I think I’m in. To being donkey in Sherk jumping up and down going pick me, pick me. The idea of being able to try my poetry out in a small sacred space. I would love a space to try spoken word in a space where I know people feel the same feelings. And we are being curious, scarred and brave. I would be up pay to subscribe for all those extras.

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Yes. Yes. Yes. To all of this yes. I am envisioning small, entirely supportive zoom calls where we’ll all be nervous together. Love the Shrek analogy 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️

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Sarah Matthews's avatar

Consider me well and truly in! Every year I put “write/read more poetry” on my list of things I’d like to do.. and have yet to achieve this! This group sounds perfect.

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Oh marvellous. Let's do it!! x

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Woz Flint's avatar

I am a bit late (fashionably?) to this poetry party, but I am IN in. Giddy.

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Also. I’m giddy too. You might have already gathered that 🤣

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Tamsin 🍂's avatar

This sounds good. Imposter syndrome says I can’t be in. I’d like to think I could be IN in, but I don’t know. But I will very happily sit on the sidelines vicariously living through others.

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Tamsin, I feel like the biggest imposter EVER even just suggesting this gathering. Because I have zero idea what I’m doing. So please do join me. Join in. We can make it up as we go along together x

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Likewise, you are so very welcome on the sidelines, I’ll keep waving at you x

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Rach's avatar

I’m so ready (bit scared) for this!!

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

🥰🥰🥰

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Jodie Duffy's avatar

Yes! Love this idea so I’m in!

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

You are! You are! Can’t wait to get started x

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Lisa O'Hare's avatar

Hello 👋 I’ll join in x

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Eeek, yey, hurray, hurrah x

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

You are!?!?! This makes me immensely happy

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Jackie's avatar

Found this, it felt like discovering a buried treasure! I’m (shyly) in. X

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Well hello there 😊

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Lizzy Co (she/they)'s avatar

*rips sleeves* let’s GOOOO

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Hurray 👏

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Colleen Krystyniak's avatar

Forgetting who mentioned you & your lovely Substack here, but to give proper credit, I’ll look (but in a smidge so I don’t lose this spot here; I’m a real tech wiz 😂)

Loved this witty, yet sensitive post. You are a kindred spirit for sure, and would love to partake however I can. :-)

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Helloooo, how very lovely to 'meet' you here. I'm all about kindred spirits. Hopefully chat more soon xx

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Colleen Krystyniak's avatar

@Zoe Gardiner via “The Clearing” by Katherine May🤗 Thank You!!

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Thank you so much Zoe xxx

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Jill Cooper's avatar

I’m in. I have just started Beth Kempton’s winter writing sanctuary for the first time so it will keep me going throughout the year I hope. 🤞 And also give me lots of practice

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Oh Beth Kempton’s stuff is so good isn’t it. Here’s to a whole year of writing joy x

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Angela Joy's avatar

Just signed up! Couldn’t help smiling while reading your post with lots of nodding 😊

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Lovely to ‘meet’ you and have you here xx

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