No one asked if I'd like to
nobody expressed concern
I wonder were there worrying signs in speech
was it a remedial ruse of diction through poetry
the subtlest of instruction to find my voice
and lips with tongue and teeth to know their place
straightening a small serpentine lisp with seamstress Susie
the odd jocular spoonerism realigned
If there ever was such an impediment
no one asked why or wondered what it meant
nobody mentioned anything - but it matters not a damn
that first lesson in the quietest of convent corners
privileged incumbent of the barely visited visitor's room
the poetry book agape and Sister Agnes speaking in tongues
her eloquence a broadcast of the poet's melodic messaging
words hoisted from pages like flags, semaphore of pause and stress
it was a thrill higher still than even magic painting
when the big wet-headed brush swept the picture page
and all the hidden colours came to life
my introduction, aged around seven, to poetry and recitation in the form of elocution lessons and later, Speech and Drama exams. And after a blog moving break I am happy to be re-uniting with others in Poetry Pantry
PoetryPix 
A wonderful poem!! I loved each word!! “…no one asked why or wondered what it meant…” great words gathered together, I loved it all.
heartening to hear Annell – many thanks
AH, I find it so intriguing – the wordplay and the trail of thought in here, from spoonerisms to impediments. No one would ask or mention because people generally revel in their ignorance.
I like the journey through it, with those colors coming to life in the end, once you find your muse and its prevailing touch.
-HA
a solution without begging the question though I only suppose there was an impediment. No one mentioned because those times were stiff upper lip and less analysis – I miss that attitude even as therapist myself – too much navel gazing goes on. And I like how you drew a connection between Muse and colour.
Love how you describe your early entry into the world of poetry… we all have different journeys but is it really an impediment?
impediments only impede but can be bypassed or climbed – the effort makes all the different and this path was sheer poetry!
A hearty welcome to you dearest Laura! 😊 I have missed you. Your poem reminded me of my poetic journey and I could resonate with “the subtlest of instruction to find my voice and lips with tongue and teeth to know their place” .. 💜
I have missed your cheerful warmth Sanaa- many thanks for such a welcome back and glad we walked the same path
So lovely to see you back, Laura. Your poem is wonderful. It was a nun who opened the world of poetry to me, as well. And encouraged me when my own poems began to flow.
Hello and thank you Sherry – we owe much to the Sisters
I enjoyed reading about the beginning of your poetic journey. Ha, mine did not begin until high school.
I got an extra boost at high school with a brilliant English lit teacher – and am still enjoying the journey along with you and Poets United
Such a philosophical poem – poetry can often feel like it belongs to someone else
Mostly I shy away from revelation and err on the impersonal so your feedback was heartening Jaerose – thank you
kaykuala
a thrill higher still than even magic painting
when the big wet-headed brush swept the picture page
and all the hidden colours came to life
This is exactly the feeling when the paint can rightly blend to give the right mix of colors to what is pictured in the mind. Wonderful word-craft Laura!
Hank
Magic painting books probably my artistic limit so I swapped brush for words and thank you for encouraging me further Hank
How important it is for a child to have a teacher or mentor to give praise and encouragement rather than criticism and admonishment. I did have some great teachers but the worst was the Latin master clearly displeased with me saying “You are less than dust beneath my chariot wheels”!
Teachers are a lucky dip – they must feel the same about us!
Think it must be wonderful to hear words hoisted like flags when one is young!
loved them ever since though have found they are not as easy to hoist in the way the best of poets fly them
Oh, that was a lucky lisp, if it gave you poetry! (And lucky for your readers too.)
What a very nice comment – thank you Rosemary
Thanks to Sister Agnes for lighting your fire. Interesting to hear where and when your poetry began.
It was a marvellous gift for a child -have much to thank the nuns for their teachings