
Lockdown should have been a miserable time. If you’d been told that you’d have to stay indoors almost indefinitely because there was the kind of virus that you’d only ever witnessed in the realms of Hollywood and this was the only thing that would keep you safe, you’d have been terrified. As well as looking at the people you’d be living with and wondering which one you’d end up eating first. But then, of course, this is exactly what you were told. (Answers in the comments about who you’ve eaten or are eyeing up for the garlic and herb marinade, by the way).
I’m sure though I’m not alone when I tell you that lockdown has been far from miserable. Yes, it’s painful being away from family, friends, loved-ones and simple normality, but it doesn’t half test your resolve and your sense of creativity. I have two children – a 13-year-old and a 10-year-old – and the challenge of keeping them busy, both with home-schooling and just in terms of general entertainment is tricky to say the least! The challenge of actually continuing to like them has been even trickier at times!
But there have been bright spots and one of which has been the way that people have rallied round each other. Yes, we can’t be together, but that’s not stopped people being kind and resourceful. Some have volunteered and made deliveries, picked up shopping and prescriptions for the elderly or clapped for the NHS. Me? I’ve done some of that and offered my services out even more. However, easily one of the best things I’ve done is to form a Facebook group to help everyone people stay creative.

Lockdown Literature – although it seems to have fizzled out of late – has been great. It was a group that I started in order to encourage some of my friends to stay creative during isolation and to see what people would write. It would also be another good way of staying in touch. The response across the weeks has been amazing – poems, short stories, life writing, even some literary criticism.
The whole idea came about because a friend had done similar, but with an art group. A bunch of us were attempting to post artwork regularly and as I’d been keen to start sketching again, so it served a purpose too. It was definitely fun. I must admit though, that looking at other people’s art made me feel quite inferior and this played a part in forming the Lockdown Literature group. In short, I knew that I was a better writer than an artist!
Lockdown Literature has prompted me to write some poems. This was something I had last done a few years ago and something I’d considered starting using as part of this blog. Typically for me though, I couldn’t find the notebook containing previous poems. And so, I had to start all over again.
My first idea came when I was pegging washing out on the line to dry. I was looking around the washing at my neighbour’s garden and it just occurred to me that his shed was massive. I was humbled by his shed! And a bit jealous, if I’m honest. So, I finished the hanging the washing out, dashed inside and started scribbling stuff down in my notebook. In about 20 minutes I had a poem and by the time half an hour had passed I’d posted it in the group.
I see my poetry as generally being a bit silly really. I like to try to use humour and to experiment with language, if I can. ‘My Neighbour’s Shed’ was exactly that. Silly, sarcastic and, at times, just me having fun with language. There was nothing here to change anyone’s life, nothing to move anyone to tears…or even think, really! Just an attempt to make people smile.
Since then, I’ve written poems about exercise gurus, home-schooling, nature and Prince amongst other things. And yes, that did say Prince, as in the little funky, purply adorned fella. But, inspired by others in the group, who it has to be said have written with real beauty and maturity, I’ve also written much more personal poems about family, which I’ll be posting in the blog in the coming weeks and months.
At the moment the group seems to have hit an almost terminal low. I’ve continued to contribute, but I feel like people might start to think I’m using it as some kind of showcase soon. A bit of a ‘Hey guys, this is me…’ kind of thing and that would never be my intention. So, I’m trying to come up with ways of getting people interested again, but it’s tricky without appearing to be annoyed at people, which I’m really not. I’d just love to read some more of the poems and stories that I’d read before.
So – and apart from me it seems to be an exclusively female group of contributors – here’s a little push, I guess. Laura – I’d like to see more life writing, Karen, that short story never ended, Ruth, Kath, Kylie, Emma, Hannah and anyone else in the group who I’ve missed, more of your poems, please! I’m clearly pals with a lot of very talented people! I’ve loved reading the things that my friends have written and for a month or so it felt like Lockdown Literature was a tiny force for good. And although I’m sure it’s not the most original idea anyone’s ever had, I’d definitely recommend setting up such a group with other like-minded souls. You could let me know about our own groups in the comments.
It seems appropriate to end with a poem. So, I will! This was a poem I wrote that was a little different from my other ones. I wrote it a while ago now having been forced out of bed by an idea. I knew I had to get up and get some words down on the page. I’m still unsure about this poem, but, as I said when I posted it in the group, it might be apt for the times that we’re all living through.
Happen
Don’t.
Don’t forever wait.
For the right time, the perfect place, the ideal feeling.
Make something happen.
Pick up the phone, write the letter, click send,
speak to him, speak to her, write the song, do the thing.
Make something happen.
Don’t.
Don’t sit on the fence.
Don’t leave it for tomorrow, count to ten, count to a thousand.
Make something happen.
Life will not wait. There is no perfect time.
There is no perfect. The wind won’t change and the cracks in the pavement don’t actually matter.
Before you know it time has flown, things have changed, they’ve found someone else who said or did what you should have, could have…
Make something happen.
I’ve just asked to such a group whose profile picture is a bridge – I hope that’s you!
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That’s us! Not much happening at the moment on there, but I’ll certainly be posting something in the next couple of days. Fell free to post!
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Thanks. I will. Be nice to bore some new people for a change 😜
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The challenge to continue to like your children…lmao. 4 kids here 12-17 – I completely empathize!
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Definitely. I seem to mutter a lot more since having kids!
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Lol and hand gestures behind closed doors. Actually, that’s just since they entered their teens.
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Lockdown has definitely rekindled my creative side, I’ve been writing so much more. The group sounds like a great idea.
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It’s quietened down a little, probably since people went back to work, but the group was really busy for a while.
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What an awesome idea! It’s a bummer that people have stopped contributing as much now. I wish I had thought about doing something similar though! It sounds fun.
Thank you for sharing.
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I’ve definitely been trying to be more creative in lockdown, it makes the world seem brighter! Writing especially. Thanks for sharing your poem!
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Great poem mate, I love the fact that you’re thinking of ideas to keep yourself motivated, for me it’s just trying different beers haha 😁
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I’m isolated from work – possibly not back for months. It’s either come up with ideas or get into trouble with the wife for watching too much Homes Under The Hammer!
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The group sounds like a great idea. This lockdown has me writing so much more, not only do I have the time to reconnect with my creative side, but my brain has more time to focus on it due to less stress!
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What a lovely idea. It’s always nice when you can bring people together to share something that makes it enjoyable for everyone and yay for finding a creative outlet.
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Love this! I also didn’t think lockdown was quite as bad as I thought it would be. Mind you I wouldn’t quickly volunteer to do it again! But I found some constructive things to do during that time. I love the idea of your Facebook group although I’m not great with creative writing myself. I did read your poem on nature which I really enjoyed. I hope you’ll be able to revive your group!
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You’ll be pleased to know that some of the group read the blog and we’re active again!
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Lovely poem and it’s so true. Don’t wait for the perfect time or life will pass you by. Thanks for sharing!
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Love that you turned lockdown into something wonderful
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I’ve really enjoyed lockdown to. It’s definitely given me the opportunity to be more creative and spend more time on what I want to be doing. Great post + poem too!!
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Thanks! I’ve definitely been more creative, but the trouble is, it’s keeping me awake – constant ideas!
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SUCH an awesome idea! Keep it up!
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Glad to have found you! Great post and poem. My creativity has its ebbs and flows. What a year it has been and it sounds like you all hit the jackpot on your Literature Group!
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This is so very true and something I’ve been thinking a lot about recently. Thanks for sharing.
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