This week's Poem of the Week is 'Log In*' by Laura Taylor, a wonderful reflection on a life as seen through both the physical memories held and the clever device of internet security. Laura has created both a moving tribute to the way we remember those we have encountered in life, be it a box of memories under the bed or the password to an online account and the final line is a stroke of utter genius.

 

Below, Laura answers our Q&A:

 

Where do you look most for inspiration for your poetry?

It comes to me more often than I look for it, if you see what I mean. A line, phrase, idea. Although sometimes I like to use prompts from either competitions or Napowrimo.

Apart from poetry, what is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. As relevant today as it was back then, and beautifully written.

What’s your favourite style of poetry?  Do you favour the constraints of sonnets and villanelle or the freedom of free-verse?

I'm rubbish at form poetry. Can do a decent haiku but that's about it! Free verse I suppose. 

If you could give one piece of writing advice to people, what would it be?

Keep trying to improve, never lose your inner critic. 

What do you look for most in a poem?

Does it make my head sway, with ideas or sonics or intelligence?

 

Log In*

by Laura Taylor

 

You’re not supposed to write it down

but I do because it’s you within

the market stalls, summoning aromas, bars,

brawls, and all the girls you bought

you said were called Rose.

 

A salty dog legacy; inherited protection.

It’s logged within your history,

existed well before me, the internet,

or Civvy Street.

Now it lives in echoes

in a box beneath the bed,

catching dust instead of breath.

 

Even ‘til the end, you were 21 again,

telling and retelling, embellishing

unconsciously; truth became fable,

myth, became passwords,

indelible, inked in the mark of a man

with his tongue ever relishing the taste

of his salad days

$ingapore1966*

 

 

 

* Your password must contain at least one special character.