Write Out Loud - Poet Profile

Alison Mary Dunn

Email: alison_mary_dunn@yahoo.co.uk

View biography

View samples

Last blog entry: 9 hours ago

Profile updated: Sat, 18 Oct 2008 02:20:21 pm

Write Out Loud Profile: http://www.writeoutloud.net/poets/alisonmarydunn

Write Out Loud Blog: http://www.writeoutloud.net/blogs/alisonmarydunn

Biography

Glaswegian - Living and working in Oxford

I wrote my first piece of poetry in my early teens when introduced to it during an English class but apart from producing a few odes here and there over the years I never properly focused on poetry.
My first love was always painting www.paintingsilove.com/artist/alisonmarydunn which I naturally leaned towards as a way of expressing myself.

At 17 I enrolled at The Glasgow School of Art, studying for my Fine Art degree.
It wasn’t till August 2005 when I lost my dad suddenly and unexpectedly that I really took up the pen to write. Poetry took centre stage in my life, a much needed outlet at the time and even more so now.

A friend then indirectly led me to www.poemhunter.com where at present some of my poems exist and several years now I've been enjoying the words of others around the world, seeing some truly wonderful pieces almost every time I've looked. The site has helped me to grow in confidence and has fuelled my passion for writing, almost to the point of obsession.

March '08: I really felt the need to find a site closer to home so I might even be able to meet the very people that inspire me so was delighted to come across 'WriteOutLoud'. Already I'm blown away by some of the poems people have written and plan to be a part of the ‘Open Mic’ nights held in Oxford.

I'll leave you to read what I've chosen to be read.

I'm no great poet but I guess there's something there...Ally

Samples

An Ode to a Poet

If I move from this place then the rhyme will be lost
like the dreams when you move from the bed. All the lessons
we’ve learned between slumber and light are the truths
never making the pages of knowing.

All we have are these caves living deep in our minds
Where potholes are many and where entities speak, on their own
in the dark. Here the hand has to steer very close to the soul
or it writes on regardless ever emptying out.

All these dreams, they’re for us to pass on when we die
so that others can read as they journey thereafter. Your words
lit up cities where I chose to roam. A much needed distraction,
one I’ve treasured so long.

Your mind softened the pain when I got stuck
When these caves heard my cries all alone in the dark
You lit paths for me there when the lights went out
and you reached for my hand when the rains came down

So while you are a poet who is still undead
and the clocks on the walls tick around my longing
Show me your pages that remain unread and bring light to these
caves where my soul is crawling.......

Alison M Dunn
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Into the Void

I’ve seen the void inside your eyes
That curious stare that took me in
The black abyss swallowed me whole
From when you laid your eyes upon me
I have no wish to stay away
Indeed have longed to see those eyes
To re-engage with them again
And see them open wide and thinking

You too like me can see beyond
Alert and noting all the senses
Shifting high above these planes
Far from the obvious in life
That’s why I crave to meet you here
So I can see into your eyes
Wherein I’ll find my inner peace
As I look deep into the void

Alison M Dunn
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Loss on Paper

I wrote my loss across the page
It stared back at me in silence
And as the words formed line by line
They cried the painful truth
How empty they did look
How sad I have become
A different me is here
In the absence of your love

Alison M Dunn

All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.

Last blog entry

Words

Posted on Sunday 4th January 2009 9:44 pm

I want to throw myself away into the graceful light of words

And cast my soul among the waves that sweep into the sea of knowing
Where wisdom breaks against the shore to fill the void that never sleeps
Cooling these fires inside my soul that keep my happiness from growing

I watch the rocks come tumbling down as children play between the wars

Somehow their smiles are all we have to see the love we leave behind

How we forsake ourselves and them sharpening our knives to make a point

As history’s scars swell in the sea buried beneath the sands of time

Before the dawn a thousand dreams escape the night where words are stars

Too deft for man’s uncharted gaze to grasp the meaning they bestow

Close to the beacon in a storm another ship will break its bow

To join the wreckage of our past among the failures we all know

Could you be me and I be you trading our sands for distant shores

And navigate some hope to fall in one another’s darkened mind

Through open portals to the sea where storms may finally come to rest

The winds of change could carry peace for us to seek to dream to find

So come with me and be astray where words will bring us back to love

And cast our hearts among the waves that sweep into the sea of knowing
Where wisdom breaks against the shore to fill the void that never sleeps
Cooling these fires inside the soul that keep all happiness from growing

Previous: Expressions so Deep

View or make comments. (5 comments)

Read other blog entries by Alison Mary Dunn

Counter: 1246

Do you want to be featured here? Submit your profile.

Comments

Deborah Jordan

Sun 4th Jan 2009 23:12

Hello Alison, thank you for your lovely kind comments. I have wanted to get in touch with you before now but I have had Uni deadlines I onlyl just completed, my head felt like it was going to explode. It's so nice to be able to return here and read all the poems. I love your last blog poem but I want to give it the time it deserves and read it again. Should be able to now, for a while at least..I hope 2009 brings you all you desire..Best Wishes, Deb

Gus Jonsson

Sat 22nd Nov 2008 23:43

Hi Alison
Many thanks for your kind remarks..... Just as a matter of interest ..where abouts in Glasgow did ye stay....I lived there for 17 years or so....Kelvinside and then Milngavie... I love the city....I'm not so fond of Edinburgh....The cold sister....

Once again many thanks
Gus

sally jenkinson

Tue 5th Aug 2008 22:45

Alison, when will you put new stuff up? I all love these, but speshly Loss on Paper. I want to read more of your words! :-)

sally

Janet Ramsden

Fri 1st Aug 2008 20:44

Hi Alison, don't know why but i keep on wondering why we haven't seen anything from you recently.
Hope you haven't give up writing.
And i sincerely hope you are keeping well.
Love Janet.xx

ps. please don't feel pressured, it's just genuine caring for a great poet.

Darren Thomas

Mon 23rd Jun 2008 07:23

Hi Ally - i must admit, i thought that you may have misconstrued what it was i was trying to say. This site is particularly useful for showcasing our own work to our peers. It's one site in amongst many that cater for, and allow, such expression. Some poets are writing top quality poetry (in some cases) without actually realising, while others are just wallowing in tired old cliches and using it as a catharsis. There has to be a standard, whether we like it or not, in terms of presentation and grammar.
Potentially your poetry, and that of several others on this site, is exciting to read and allows for the reader to think too.
I would have another look at the poem that you removed in a few days. Most writers' put their work 'in a draw', which means that when they return to it and reread it, it usually appears somewhat different than how they remembered it, or what it was they were trying to say in the first place. If you can do this and see for yourself what needs changing, then you're well on your way to being a more rounded writer.
I enjoy your poetry. I enjoy lots of poetry on this site. Some of it shines.Some of it sparkles.Some of it is dull - but it's never boring.
And thanks, for being so understanding about my advice being given in all good faith...

Richard Brooks

Sat 31st May 2008 13:30

thanks for your comment on lonely friend Alison. Your profile pic is intriguing, is it a painting? Keep writing

Melissa R. Mendelson

Mon 26th May 2008 18:19

Hi, Ally. Glad to be back. I've been busy writing a few things.

I love your poetry and look forward to reading more work from you. :)

-Melissa

Daniel Hall

Wed 21st May 2008 20:18

I've enjoyed your work enough to read all your blog entries and make comments where ever I stopped. Keep on writing as I'm looking forward to your next post.

Zuzanna Musial

Tue 20th May 2008 19:25

Dear Alison

Thank you again for taking the time to read and the comment on my Riders of the Storm'
Your comments are welcome and appreciated.

Warm Regards,
Zuzanna

carol falaki

Sun 18th May 2008 16:10

Hi Alison,
Oops, I pressed 'add comment' before making one. Thanks for your comments on - The shoe.
I enjoyed reading your blog, so went on to read your poems and loved -
All the lessons we’ve learned between slumber and light are the truths never making the pages of knowing.
I

Frank Burton

Sun 18th May 2008 13:55

Now, this is proper poetry! I like your "voice".

Thank you again for reintroducing me to this great site.

Darren Thomas

Tue 22nd Apr 2008 13:58

Hello Alison - many thanks for your comments on my profile 'thingy'. This site is becoming more and more popular and it takes an age to trawl through and update yourself with just who has said what and where?
Keep posting your work because in my experience lots more read the submissions than actually comment about them. We all enjoy the positive comments but be prepared for subjectve opinion as well. If somebody comments about your poetry it means that it has made an impact and that it is worth making constructive comments about.
I hope you enjoy the WOL experience.

Zuzanna Musial

Sun 20th Apr 2008 21:49

Dear Alison

Thank you for commenting on my latest write, and the name comment!

I found your writing excellent! All the samples you have are presenting depth of your thinking and show your creative abilities. You are great Poetess. Keep up the great work!

Warm Regards,
Zuzanna

Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

Fri 4th Apr 2008 18:40

I too am on Poem Hunter as is Anthony Sullivan a friend and fellow writer of mine. I loved your Ode to the Poet.. the words flo. very well though you dont use rhyme. I look forward to reading more of you in the coming months/

Pete Crompton

Sun 30th Mar 2008 11:49

Hi Alison
Welcome aboard the WOL site.
I love the way you talk about the 'artless office enviornment' in your profile, the way you say that...I can feel the frustration. Maybe theres a poem there! ?

Loss on paper -
makes me feel of those moments of self analysis
or realisation of what has become

almost like a tide that came without notice
or perhaps a withdraw of the tide to leave nothing.

and you look at what you have, and it all seems empty.

Tai Mahmud

Sun 30th Mar 2008 08:26

You paint a picture well. This is realy good!

Alison Mary Dunn

Sat 29th Mar 2008 23:49

Thanks. Hope you're evening's a success, without the violence..!

Steve Lane

Sat 29th Mar 2008 20:35

No sticks? I'm going then.

BTW, I love the opening image you create in Loss On Paper.

If you wish to post a comment you must login.