Poems From Quarantine: An Anthology of Brainstorms

By Kathleen Elizabeth Sumpton

POEMS FROM QUARANTINE is a poetry anthology about the processes of life. It is a collection of poems that were once a scrapbook of poetry brainstorms. The author saved them for when she wouldn't have any inspiration. When the pandemic hit, Kathleen found it hard to find new inspiration as she could no longer travel to new places and spaces. So, she took to old notes and pieces of memories of the past, to combine with the present, to create a new outlook on the future.

In the beginning, the poems were merely scribbled thoughts and ideas in a notebook, then enhanced with images and key words, so that at a later date the feelings associated with the brainstorm would assist in turning them into an actual poem. These enhancements include all of the typical things you would find in a scrapbook, such as photos, magazine clippings, and fancy add-ons.

By working in this way, the significance of the process is highlighted as most important as opposed to the end result. It is important to have an involvement with your imagination in the writing process, whereby you rely heavily on the creative elements coming together on their own. Since every single one of these poems started as a simple idea and none of them were completed from start to finish in one sitting, the meaning behind each one has grown to its highest potential to provide a truly engaging impact in the reader.

The poems appear in the order in which they have been written. They are written in various forms, including free-form as well as poetic structures. From each of the pieces individually and as a whole, there is a satirical lens in which to view life. Each poem can be a person, and the anthology a community. In this way, we notice the operative system for what it is and how a process starts, finishes, and continues. And most importantly, how to survive the global pandemic of 2020 together, as it carries onward into 2021.

The goal of this anthology is for people to have more pride in the steps they take to accomplish a task, so that in the end, the result comes out much better because we were invested in it. Written from the past in the present, this book causes the imagination to really indulge in the act of memory as a tool for the future.

How much of our memory can really recall a true picture? We see in this anthology how the memory affects the mind in terms of its thinking patterns, decision-making, and future possibilities for opportunity. Ultimately, society can communicate better by undertaking the philosophy of this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Dec 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9780228844709

Kathleen Elizabeth Sumpton

KATHLEEN ELIZABETH SUMPTON is an advocate for the arts and often works with languages. With a passion for culture and a focus on communications, she is an Author, Poet, and Communications Professional with a primary focus on writing. She has a working background in 14 different languages.Her 5 Year plan is to secure two master's degrees in English and Business, followed by a PhD in English, while running her freelance business.Her 10 Year goal is to publish 10 novels and other works in the genre of satire in order to strengthen communications locally and globally by discussing the proper use of language and terminology.Her work brings awareness to large societal issues such as the criminal justice system, substance abuse, and mental health; a variety of topics everyone else is too afraid to talk about.As a representative for members of the community as well as for her own projects, Kathleen hopes to enrich her surroundings with both the beauty and power writing holds. It is now her personal mission in life to provide meaning and entice insight through literature.When she is not busy with her work, you can find Kathleen enjoying the outdoors or spending time with family. Favourite hobbies are working out and people-watching. She operates out of southern Ontario.

Book preview

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Poems

from

Quarantine

A Poetry Anthology

Of Brainstorms

by

Kathleen Elizabeth Sumpton

A Satire Based on the Processes of Life

Poems from Quarantine

Copyright © 2020 by Kathleen Elizabeth Sumpton

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Tellwell Talent

www.tellwell.ca

ISBN

978-0-2288-4469-3 (Hardcover)

978-0-2288-4468-6 (Paperback)

978-0-2288-4470-9 (eBook)

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Author’s Preface

Poems

Author’s Biography

Dedication

This poetry anthology is dedicated to everyone who is currently enjoying the process just as much as they do the results.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to my father who always allows me to use his photograph of the Moon Eclipse, London, Ontario, taken on January 20th, 2019 on all the back covers of my books.

Introduction

Written by Janice Elizabeth Sumpton, Mother

This book by Kathleen Elizabeth Sumpton is a collection of poems that were formalized and written during the COVID-19 coronavirus quarantine in 2020 that impacted many people world-wide. During this time of isolation and inability to socialize and travel for literary inspiration Kathleen has taken ideas jotted in notebooks over the years and created poetry.

This unique time of reflection of self and life allow for expression in words. The pandemic has given time to enjoy the process and slow down the rush to the end result. One can enjoy the result that much more having had the time to enjoy the process.

The satire is expressed in memories recorded through life. Kathleen’s poems discuss the experience of life, innocence and wonder of childhood, love and relationships and the stigma and judgement around mental health, homelessness and the vulnerable.

In reading these poems take the time to let the words settle in your mind to resonate their meanings.

Janice Elizabeth Sumpton,

London, Ontario, Canada

2020

Author’s Preface

POEMS FROM QUARANTINE is a poetry anthology about the processes of life. It is a collection of poems that were once a scrapbook of poetry brainstorms. I saved them for when I wouldn’t have any inspiration. When the pandemic hit, I found it hard to find new inspiration as I could no longer travel to new places and spaces. So, I took to old notes and pieces of memories I had of the past, to combine with the present, to create a new outlook on the future.

In the beginning, the poems were merely scribbled thoughts and ideas in a notebook, then enhanced with images and key words, so that at a later date the feelings associated with the brainstorm could help turn them into an actual poem. These enhancements include all of the typical things you would find in a scrapbook, such as photos, magazine clippings, and fancy add-ons.

By working in this way, the significance of the process is highlighted as most important as opposed to the end result. It is important to have an involvement with your imagination in the writing process, whereby you rely heavily on the creative juices coming together on their own. Since every single one of these poems started as a simple idea and none of them were completed from-start-to-finish in one sitting, the meaning behind each one has grown to its highest potential to provide a truly engaging impact in the reader.

The poems appear in the order in which they have been written. They are written in various forms, including free-form as well as poetic structures. From each of the pieces individually and as a whole, there is a satirical lens in which to view life. Each poem can be a person, and the anthology a community. In this way, we notice the operative system for what it is and how a process starts, finishes, and continues.

The goal of this anthology is for people to have more pride in the steps they take to accomplish a task, so that in the end, the result comes out much better because we were invested in it. Written from the past in the present, this book causes the imagination to really indulge in the act of memory as a tool for the future.

How much of our memory can really recall a true picture? We see in this anthology how the memory affects the mind in terms of its thinking patterns, decision-making, and future possibilities for opportunity. Ultimately, society can communicate better by undertaking the philosophy of this book.

Kathleen Elizabeth Sumpton,

London, Ontario, Canada

2020

Poems

SELF-ISOLATION

I haven’t left my house

In a week except

To pick up a prescription

From Shoppers Drug Mart, and

To pick up some groceries

From the Superstore.

I went so early,

Right when they first opened

But next week,

I probably won’t.

Go anywhere at all—

Because it’s only getting worse.

The best thing

For me to do

Is hide myself away

Somewhere warm, away from

The cold of March

Moving on in stillness.

MYSTERY IS OF THE MIND

The mind resides somewhere

Deep within the recesses

Of an ancient ritual

Made by adults for children.

I REMEMBER

Once upon a time

There was a moment

That froze time itself

Allowing life to stay perfect

In absolute stillness.

THE REFLECTIONS OF LIFE

Looking back at my life

One section at a time

I can piece together

My world rhyme by rhyme.

I wonder often

Who this person is

Not at all recognizing

Who I once was.

WAIT A MINUTE

Pause.

Play.

Rewind.

Play.

Pause.

Play.

Fast-Forward.

Play.

HOURGLASS

A figure so perfect

No one will resist

Be able to comprehend

Or challenge it.

Because we made it

So very talented—

—TIME—

Doesn’t rest here.

STANDING IN THE SHADE

I can always hide

In the shadows

Cast down by the mighty

Tree above me

And steal myself away

From the spotlight.

INSIDE MY HEAD

Everyone always tells me

How much they want to be

Inside of my head

Figuring out what I’ve said.

What they don’t see

Is that I am not free

To show them, instead

I’m alone in this life I’ve led.

THINKING CRITICALLY

Tangled memories

These bittersweet feelings

Hanging over me

Flying and flinging

Dredging up the sleet

Capsizing my feet

Into the deep blue sea.

Mind games

And childhood nicknames

Sorrow filled with fame

Hatred, guilt, and blame,

Borrowed from the dame

And lying all the same—

Beaten until they’re tame.

Marble tapestries,

These bleeding feelings

Pouring out of me,

Flying and flinging

Dredging up the sea

Swirling and swarming

Overwhelming me.

ARE YOU THERE?

Sometimes I look up

At the big blue sky

And I talk to angels

Standing by.

I always ask

If they’re ready to listen

But no matter what

My voice to them glistens.

MISTAKES OF THE PAST

Sometimes giving it all up

Is not the same thing as

Giving it all away.

I MAKE MY OWN WAY

I find my path,

All by myself.

I take each step,

Without your help.

I do not need you,

To give me life.

I make my own way,

Without your help.

PROCESS

I’m in love with my old life,

Both the good and the bad;

I’ve got pride and experience,

A prejudice against the world.

A flight on playful clouds,

I am drifting across the land;

I’m alive with courage and colour,

Amongst blueberries and the sand.

A WAY TO PASS THE TIME

Everything

Is just

The beginning

Of something

Or nothing.

BEFORE

Coffee

Alerts me

To memories

Of yours.

MAXIMIZE

Make potential

Work for you

By shooting at

It’s shoes.

TELE(PATH)Y

Concentrate

On the ways

We are thinking

To put yourself

Against the past

Towards the future

In the present.

AMNESIA

Anamnesis—

Retention and

Recollection.

In memory,

Mythology

A disappearance

Into history.

Man’s deadly sins

Our causes for

Quarrel—

Alone until

Tomorrow.

RIGHT NOW

I could be

Imagining

Or disappearing.

I don’t know

Which one

It could be.

It’s so

Mysteriously

Escaping.

HOPSCOTCH

All the C’s

Are replaced

With K’s—

There’s no

Space left

For S.

The alphabet

Recycles

Us all—

And no one

Is special

Just another letter.

INFERIOR FEARS

Inside of me

There are feelings

They run deep

Like a corridor.

Something like

A hallway

A way to interpret

The lines.

MUSCLE MEMORY

They say we have

The ability to

Form and reform

Our bodies.

Like there’s a map

Inside

That never has

Construction.

As if there is

Never a wrong turn

Never a wrong place

Anywhere.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF RULES

It is all about boundaries,

When it comes to people.

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