The new Write Out Loud Poem of the Week is ‘The Snurdle-urdle-urdle’ by Lynn Dye, a cautionary tale about a creature who takes liberties after knocking on the door and begging to be allowed to take a bath. Lynn, who joined Write Out Loud in 2010 and has never performed at an open-mic night, says her poetry is motivated by “humour, nonsense, nature, relationships, romance, politics and my favourite destination in Corfu”. She had more to say in a quick Q&A interview:

 

How long has poetry been an important part of your life and can you remember why it became so?

I have always appreciated poetry from an early age, but did not experiment very much with it in the past, preferring to write stories.  I have written unpublished children’s books, short adult stories and a novel.  I did write a few poems, however, later to become more active in poetry in 2010, when I first joined Write Out Loud.

 

What kind of poetry do you write?  What motivates you?

All sorts of things motivate me.  Humour, nonsense, nature, relationships, romance, politics and my favourite destination in Corfu. You name it ...

 

If you could only have one poet’s work to read, which one would you choose?

Too many great poets to just pick one, although I do own books by Sylvia Plath, Roger McGough, Carol Ann Duffy, Mary Oliver and Steve Pottinger.

 

Do you perform your work and if so, where are your favourite places to perform?

No, I have not performed my poetry, although I did recently recite a poem I wrote for my son’s wedding in front of a church congregation, so perhaps I am making a start!

 

What was the inspiration for this poem’s title and content?

My husband inspired me simply by making up silly words, something which I also found myself competing with.  A natural progression of putting them into children’s books really kicked off from there.  I thank the team of Write Out Loud and all the kind contributors for giving me the inspiration for illustrating this tale.  Winning the Poem of the Week just finished my birthday off yesterday in expert fashion!

 

You're cast away on a desert island. What's your luxury?

Does my music collection and something to play them on count as one luxury?!

 

 

THE SNURDLE-URDLE-URDLE

by Lynn Dye

 

A snurdle-urdle-urdle

Is walking up my path,

He’s ringing on my doorbell

And asking for a bath.

 

I don’t know how much water

This strange creature may use.

I offer two fluffy towels

Enabling him to choose.

 

He cheerfully takes them both,

And turns on both the taps.

Uncertainly, I leave him,

He should be fine – perhaps!

 

Ten minutes have now gone by,

Water’s on the ceiling.

I feel drip, drip on my head

And a sinking feeling.

 

My light goes crackle and bang

As I rush up the stairs.

I now have no electric,

The snurdle’s saying prayers!

 

“Turn the taps off, please!” I shout.

“Chill out, my girl,” says he.

“I do this in every house,

It’s so much fun, you see.”

 

Do I laugh out loud at this?

Or cry like a baby?

Pretend it’s not happening?

Or blow my top, maybe?

 

A week has now come and gone

Since this dreadful event.

I never knew such chaos,

Was I glad when he went!

 

He gave me so much to do

And did he have a cheek!

My house dried out in the end

But it took me all week.

 

A snurdle-urdle-urdle

May venture up your path.

Just leave him on the doorstep,

Don’t let him take a bath!!!