LesleyScoble.com

Tapestry Poetry

Tapestry poetry requires two poems of nine lines each in length. The poets write their version to a title decided by one of them (I wrote the title for this one). When the poems are writ, they disclose their individual poem to the ‘partner in rhyme’ to weave into a different poem eighteen lines long. They exchange drafts and emails back-and-forth until mutual happiness reigns with the woven words (This is one joy of the email and internet which enables this collaborative tapestry partnerships. Can you imagine waiting for the return posts from countries afar?).

I am lucky to write it with the inimitable poet, David Bogomolny, a poet whom I admire so much.

My original nine-line poem

The light was dim,
I couldn’t see him.
He skulked in the dark
It wasn’t safe in the park.
I stepped on a twig…
Oh no! It cracked! And made a sound,
The shadow turned round,
Looming black and big.
Have you got a light? It asked. I want to smoke a cig.
~
Lesley Scoble, March 2024

David’s original nine-line poem

turmoil within, out for a walk
shadows lengthen from dim-lit rocks 
fading into this darkness stark
lessons carved into heart of bark
with pointed hour hand of the clock
the years have left a profound mark
of dreams abandoned I take stock
now where I started, 'round the block
~ of hopes I find barely a spark
~
David Bogomolny, March 2024

I am very proud to present to you our tapestry poem, The Shadows in the Park.

Drumroll please!

Shadows in the Park
_{by
David Bogomolny and Lesley Scoble}

Turmoil within, out for a walk
With pointed hour hand of the clock.
The light is dim;
Shadows lengthen from dim-lit rocks.
It isn't safe in the park.
Lessons are carved into heart of bark;
The years have left a profound mark.
I step on a twig…
Oh no! It cracks!—and makes a sound.
  
Fading in from this darkness stark,  
A shadow turns ‘round
Looming black and big.
Of hope I find scarce a single spark;
I cannot see him
Skulking in the dark.
Of dreams abandoned I take stock.
Have you got a light? it asks. I want to smoke a cig.  
Now where I started, ‘round the block.
~

Lesley Scoble and David Bogomolny, March 2024 

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My thanks to the pair of poets who designed the collaborative tapestry poetry form, Shernaz Wadia, from India, and Avril Meallem, from Israel.
My thanks to the email that facilitates rapid interchange of poetic drafts.
Last but not least, my thanks to David, my mentor, without whom Shadows in the Park, should not have seen the light of day. It was a privilege to be a poetry partner conspiring to weave wondrous words with you. Visit Poetry Partners here

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Carole King’s Tapestry

Carole King’s timeless song Tapestry is a song I’ve listened to time and time again. Enjoy!

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Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.