View From a Locked-Down Land
An anthology by Doncaster’s READ 2 WRITE Poetry group
During the first lockdown in 2020, Read 2 Write, a community led group of Doncaster based poets moved their weekly Balby Library and Mexborough group meetings online, in a continued effort to create and discuss poetry and stay bonded as a group during the pandemic. Together with Read 2 Write we have worked to capture and celebrate some of their creativity.
Along with a number of recognised guest poets, members of the group were invited to submit two poems that would go on to feature within a new printed anthology ‘View From a Locked-Down Land’.
“It was never our intention for this to be an anthology of coronavirus-related poems, rather the reactions and reflections of the contributors to the seismic events of the past year and the ways in each writer has observed the world through the lens of those events.”
Mick Jenkinson
This Anthology is dedicated to founder and creator of Read 2 Write, Ian Parks, for his continued support to the Group. Ian has given group members the confidence and skills to create this beautiful work through his inspiration and wisdom and we are so proud to share the anthology with you now.
Below is the full publication of View From a Locked-Down Land. Please enjoy scrolling through and reading the incredible poetry submitted by our Read 2 Write group.
“This anthology is dedicated to Ian Parks, founder and curator of READ 2 WRITE, for his wisdom, patience and inspiration and for giving the group members the confidence and skills to created this work”
“Like apple trees, we approach this winter, locked down, silent, barren, sapless. We sit, as if nothing could adorn our frames.
Yet it will, as Spring injects new hope and coaxes buds to life, we will blossom and be joyful once again.”
2020 Vision by Paul Iwanyckyj
“I had not thought that it would be like this, When finally I was allowed outside, We knew that in the park we could not kiss, I thought that I would take it in my stride.
But suddenly you’re there and I am here, So close, it seems. And yet so far apart, And all the worlds I had, have disappeared, I tremble as you hear my beating heart.”
Extract from First Night Out by Amanda Samm
“There are no tears that fall on fallow ground, Nor loves that hide behind each human heart. There are no journey’s left we cannot take, As on each corner turned we change direction, And then where stormy waters when they break, Upon the rocks, I will be there one time to walk alone.”
Extract from Constellation by Philip Dawson-Hammond
“Once I knew or thought I understood time, moments of love - loss - captivating lies hours seconds, sensual flames snapshots, familiar shadows embers - still long remembered sharply focused, gilt framed…”
Extract from Time Disengaged by Linda Jones
Project Director for Right Up Our Street Sally Lockey says:
“RUOS was there from the outset of Read 2 Write and what makes this project so special is that this dedicated and well respected group of Poets no longer needs RUOS to make great things happen. Roles have been reversed, with projects such as View From a Locked-Down Land now supporting our work in reaching new audiences and those most at risk of social isolation.”
The Lesson
Illustration by Andrew Farmer ROI
Delivering the anthologies to the participants
How this project is helping socially isolated people
Care home residents across Doncaster will receive a copy of the Read 2 Writes poetry anthology ‘View from a Locked-Down Land’ along with prompts, that encourage recipients to reply with their own words. Through this call and response approach we then hope to work with Read 2 Write members to select a range of new poems that feature within a second community led anthology.