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Biography

I have been writing most of my life,mainly verse and only really got to grips with poetry after joining Write Out Loud . I really enjoy being involved at all levels of this unique poetry scene. My poems have been published in anthologies, Poetry Now Northern England Editions 2001 & 2002 and Poems of the Millenium. Check out my website for more information about me and to read my poetry….

Samples

Broken Heart Where is the love that once was ours How many years has it been? Since you took the sun and left me showers How much rain have I seen? My broken heart will never heal The fissure is deep and wide With only a superficial seal. That opens and bleeds inside When all the hurt is again revealed By the memories I thought where sealed. The knife that cut was long and thin Silent as it slid right in. It gave me pain that I could not bear So hot and searing was the tear That ripped my heart so deep and wide; And I cried as I have never cried. I swore, stamped and got up steam To howl and scream as in a dream. I was angry, despondent, suicidal and mad The love was gone the love I had. Betrayed dejected depressed and alone I felt my heart turn to stone. Val Cook 2001 My Hearts Triumphant Cry This day I will remember As the first day in my life, When I rose and realised That I was now, no ones wife. The feeling, the elation Was a great exciting buzz. Truly liberating, there Would be no more of Us. I Can come and go at leisure. Buy without consent, all the Fripperies a female wants With complete abandonment. Will this make me happier, I won’t know till I try. But I will go from strength to strength Is my hearts triumphant cry. (c)ValCook 2001 You Are The One When I saw you sitting by my side So quiet and still I nearly died. My heart stood still, tears filled my eyes. Your presence took me by surprise. You smiled at me, then you where gone Yes, yes you are the only one. My one and only Valentine. I saw you again today walking by. My heart stopped I gave a sigh. I didn`t even say hello, I stood in silence and watched you go. I should have nodded and smiled at you, But now your gone without a clue That I would like to know your name. Next time I see you I`ll be just the same. I`ll stand there like a block of stone, Until your gone and then I`ll groan. You are the one,the only one; My one and only Valentine (c) ValCook 1998 TheOcean Are we indifferent to the fate of the sea? By what we do and what we allow to be. With sewage sludge PCB and DDT Nuclear waste and plastic debris. The consequence of trashing the sea Are horrendous and fatal to you and me. With factory farming by acoustic device Shoals of fish are collected in a trice Along with turtles and dolphins as sacrifice The rewards and profits of avarice. We over fish and ocean dump. No more will we watch the dolphin jump. And the humpback whale’s tail thump After the massive tankers with excess sump Poisons these creatures with this foul clump. Still we hunt and fish to overkill We trash the beaches uncaring until The ocean becomes a sewer fill And the creatures in the seas we will kill Who cleans it up, who pays the bill. Who cares that is the bitter pill. <©> Valerie Cook 1998 Good Mother Was I a Good Mother I asked of my three? Because that was what my mother asked of me. I told her yes,she was always gentle and kind, That would be the memory she would leave behind. As a child she lost her mother And was raised by another. This woman was mean and didn`t love her. So the question is. Was I a Good Mother, Brought up by a mother Raised by another Who wasn`t her mother And didn`t love her ? I was put the test I did my best. Knowing I was blessed With a good mother. Val Cook 2006 Celebration To place us high in the scheme of things, We cover our nakedness and all that brings Is to make us feel ashamed of our humanity Our common sex our vulnerability. Cover by all means to protect and warm, Ourselves against intrusion and that icy storm But on warm summer days In the heat and the haze of the suns glorious rays. We should be allowed to strip without discrimination. Remove all clothes in celebration. Of our wonderful human form. Introduce a style to transform The human race To a much gentler pace. Val Cook 2008 Kill The Humpback Whales, Quickly turns tails. There`s blood on the ice, they won`t pay the price. Horrific scenes to see. This carnage they flee. Back to the open sea. Red stains on the ice, Sacrifice at what price. Seals slither and slip away, Helpless Cubs stay and play. Clubbed to death by men of greed. Society demands but do they need, This brutal act that feeds the coffers. Surely there are alternatives on offer. The shame stays with me, When this slaughter I see. We must continue to fight, For freedom`s their right. Gods creatures are lent; They were never ment To be hunted and killed. But this heritage is instilled In a world full of greed. Yes, we have people to feed. But as sport must they die. To the hunt is the cry; Fox and stag fly by To be torn into bits, While in fear and fits. It`s inhuman it`s wrong In this world they belong. We should treasure all life Not introduce this strife To gods creatures on earth. Why kill soon after birth? To pander to fashion or fame These beautiful creatures are slain. This action is a disgrace. And taints the whole human race. <©> Valerie Cook 2000 War Why do nations wage war on nations. When the world is so small, we are all relations. Brother Sister Husband Wives Everyone is living in each others lives. We see face to face fighting in city streets, While politicians discuss it from their parliamentary seats. Homes demolished and people in flight, Carrying all they can throughout the night. Almost daily we hear of insane Evil perpetrators, of misery and pain. Yellow Black White or Brown passing the blame. But mingle our blood the colours the same. We will all count the waste of mankind For years to come; from land that is mined. Africa Rumania Kosova and Pakistan Ethnic cleansing, since time began. Man was killing his fellow man. People fled Many dead Those who stayed Knelt and prayed Children cried As their Mothers died Savaged and ravaged: when will it end And when it does will we ever mend. <©> Valerei Cook 1999 RunningAway The road leads nowhere, But I have to go somewhere. Anywhere is better than here. I`m leaving not shedding a tear. Running away without regret. Happy to be leaving, but yet Thinking of the good times I have had. But then recalling when it all went bad. I took a chance when I caught this ride. Now tears and fears well up inside. My life from now on will be inside out. But I know without a doubt That I was right to take this chance To leave this place without a glance. There is nothing but an endless wall. Of poverty, that destroys us all. I may never get a chance again I know That is why, I must go. Its ten years since I ran away But I think about home almost everyday I have been away a long time Some will view this as a crime I am going back to make a amends To say sorry to family and friends I left them when the going got tough I went because I had had enough Maybe things have changed, I`ll never know Unless I face my fears and go I am older now ,more mature Will I be welcome, I`m not sure. I hope they can forgive a friend Who made mistakes and wants to mend The bridge that separates our hearts Because that is where friendship starts. <©> Valerie Cook 2007 Bliss His sleep inhibits my touch; I feel his warmth, Inhale his fragrance. His peaceful form so close But in another place. He moves and groans I tingle with desire. Is this my opportunity. I kiss his soft unshaven cheek, My hand slowly slides across his chest, I feel his heart beating. He turns his face , His breath cools my cheek. I move close Gently kiss his lips. His eyes open and look deep into mine. Arms draw me into his embrace, We both smile. Bliss. Val Cook 2007

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

Audio entries by Valerie Cook

Paradise (01/03/2009)

Paradise (23/02/2009)

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Comments

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Jeff Dawson

Sun 5th Jun 2016 18:50

Hi Val, glad you liked my Jutland poem, hope you can come and see us soon at the Socialist Club, next get together is Tues 21 June, 7.30, hope you're good :-)

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Ronnie leek

Sun 5th Jun 2016 10:21

Hi Valerie, thanks for reading my poem Fine. Very kind. I love your poem Good Mother.

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madhurima dutta

Sat 4th Jun 2016 17:52

Val,I am glad that you enjoyed reading my poem,"to be Dauntless." Thank you . :)
Solasta.

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Ian Whiteley

Thu 26th Jun 2014 14:17

Hiys Val
thanks for commenting on 'children of the glamned' - so pleased that you liked it. Cheers :-)

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Jeff Dawson

Sun 6th Apr 2014 10:17

Hi Val, thanx, glad you like Snakeskin Sid, hope you're good, all okay here (my book is out by the way hint hint), next Bolton WOL is 20 April, at the Brooklyn, be great to see you if you can make it! X

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Yvonne Brunton

Sat 5th Apr 2014 12:11

thanks for your comment on The Artful Bodger, Val. My dad was a serious Heath Robinsonn DIY-er but usually successfully, so I guess this is rooted in my psyche somehow. xx

<Deleted User> (8659)

Thu 7th Feb 2013 15:15

Hi Val-thank you for stopping by to read my crusty old prawnman's tales. Pleased you are enjoying them!

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John Coopey

Wed 29th Feb 2012 21:07

Hello Val. Glad you liked my "Dream". The symbollism of the butterfly waking never ocurred to me until I'd posted the poem! I originally just envisaged the tattoo literally coming to life as things do in dreams.

Terry White

Thu 23rd Feb 2012 16:24

Thanks for the comment Val, I have to agree, I hate that line too.

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Fifi Fanshawe

Tue 20th Dec 2011 17:51

Thanks Val - that's very kind of you.

Have a happy Christmas.

Fifi x

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John Coopey

Tue 13th Dec 2011 11:27

Hello Val.
Best wishes to you too at Christmas.

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John Coopey

Sat 10th Dec 2011 20:43

...and the very best to you for Christmas too, Val.

Philipos

Sun 19th Jun 2011 19:58

Hi Val thank you for comenting on my John Donne poem - having studied the man in some depth I found his age a fascinating one even though I wouldn't want to have lived then - did a walk with my daughter today along a Surrey canal near Pyrford where there was a plaque commemorating his place of residence in the 1600s hence my motivation to write about him

Terry White

Wed 4th May 2011 12:18

Val, thank you for your comments on 'Don't Go' The middle two lines you said could stand on their own were separate poems I combined, so your right, for a while they were standing on their own.

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John Coopey

Fri 29th Apr 2011 00:01

Hello Val. Thanks for your comments on The Continuing Story of john the Hat

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Andy N

Wed 6th Apr 2011 14:00

thanks for the comment, val about 'up on the roof'.. - glad you like it.. must admit it took ages to write - am pleased you and so many others have really enjoyed it x

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Francine

Sun 3rd Apr 2011 00:10

I love your poem 'My Hearts Triumphant Cry', Valerie.
Congratulations on it being nominated for Poem of the Month!

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Anthony Emmerson

Sat 2nd Apr 2011 00:01

Hi Val,

Congratulations on POTM! A celebratory and uplifting poems of what might be a dark moment in a life - well done! You go for it girl!

Regards,

A.E.

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Isobel

Fri 1st Apr 2011 16:30

Congratulations Val, on Poem of the Month. I love it - it is one I can really identify with - the answer for me was YES,YES, YES!!!!

xx

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John Coopey

Wed 30th Mar 2011 00:42

Val
Glad you liked Ken Dodd....

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Gus Jonsson

Thu 24th Feb 2011 17:31

Good Evening Val
Within this poem, ‘World’s Turn’ I am trying visualising the mystery and ever changing beauty of femininity comparing it to the daily splendour of sunset utilising her clothing in metaphor.

Thank you for taking the time to read my work and comment

Thanks again

Gus xx

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Chris Co

Wed 23rd Feb 2011 02:45

Thx for the feedback in the love poem Val- very much appreciated.

Hopefully make the next wol event in Bolton.

My Best

Chris

<Deleted User> (8659)

Sun 20th Feb 2011 20:30

Thank you for your comment on Mackerel In The Bath, I am pleased that you enjoyed it :-)

<Deleted User> (7164)

Tue 15th Feb 2011 21:10

Hi Val, thanks for your lovely comment on 'For the good times' :-)
You are very kind.

Have you retired from running Bolton poetry scene for good now?
x

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chris yates

Mon 14th Feb 2011 12:40

Thank you for your comment Val hope to come to the Bolton venue soon xx

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Andy N

Wed 26th Jan 2011 08:17

Hi Val;

thanks for your comment on 'before the curtains open' - yeah, i agree with you over the last stanza - the person who i wrote it liked that the most too so great minds think alike - lol x

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Chris Co

Tue 25th Jan 2011 13:37

Thx for the feedback/comment on my childhood poem Val...glad it worked for you.

Chris

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John Coopey

Tue 18th Jan 2011 18:24

Thanks for your comments on Night Mail, Val.
There's something almost alive about a steam train which is missing on diesels and electrics.
We go to the North Yorks Moors Railway (Pickering to Whitby) quite often which is magical - especially the Wartime Weekend (usually around October).

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Paul F Blackburn

Tue 18th Jan 2011 18:09

Thanks for your comment on Pit Pony, how I'm glad those days are gone - though the rickets still remain with me alas

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Isobel

Wed 12th Jan 2011 20:37

Hi Val - I hope we will still be seeing you at Butterflies in Bolton - have missed you the last couple of times I went to the Howcroft. I like the new venue - I always found the Howcroft a bit too bright - like an operating theatre. The welcome was always lovely there and a good atmosphere - though Sunday isn't a great night to have anything on. They will have to get more seating in Butterflies if it takes off though - or maybe I'll start taking my mum's shooting stick...heating also!
I can't make the first one but hope to see you there at some point.
Isobel x

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