A Silent War
Donation protected
I am a poet from Bangor, Northern Ireland. I did not intend to write about the coronavirus because I did not believe that I had anything perceptive or helpful to say about the pandemic that has propelled us into such unsettling and frightening times. However, it was through a conversation with my wife about how this strange situation is similar to the one experienced by relatives during wartime. I began thinking about war poetry as a prism through which the global crisis could be viewed, and that in turn led me to be inspired to write an interconnected sequence of poems called A Silent War.
Then there came the idea to ask other poets to read the pieces: a tapestry of voices from different parts of the country to affirm the belief that this crisis affects all of us.
https://rossthompson.bandcamp.com/album/a-silent-war
However, I also wanted the sequence to be positive, not only in the way that it moves from poems of loneliness, fear and isolation to poems of optimism and looking forward but also to use this opportunity to raise some funds. The first charity that I thought of is one that is of great personal significance. Cruse Bereavement Care leant me invaluable guidance and a way to navigate a time of deep and painful grieving and I believe that, without intending to be morbid, this service will be much needed when the pandemic eventually subsides.
Cruse offer counselling, largely by volunteers, to children, young people and adults who have been bereaved. Any money raised will help them to continue to provide emotional support to those in very difficult circumstances.
I would be very grateful if you were willing to help out with this cause. Listen to the recordings of the poems. Share them online. Perhaps think about donating, even a little, to this very important organisation.
Thank you for your time and interest.
Then there came the idea to ask other poets to read the pieces: a tapestry of voices from different parts of the country to affirm the belief that this crisis affects all of us.
https://rossthompson.bandcamp.com/album/a-silent-war
However, I also wanted the sequence to be positive, not only in the way that it moves from poems of loneliness, fear and isolation to poems of optimism and looking forward but also to use this opportunity to raise some funds. The first charity that I thought of is one that is of great personal significance. Cruse Bereavement Care leant me invaluable guidance and a way to navigate a time of deep and painful grieving and I believe that, without intending to be morbid, this service will be much needed when the pandemic eventually subsides.
Cruse offer counselling, largely by volunteers, to children, young people and adults who have been bereaved. Any money raised will help them to continue to provide emotional support to those in very difficult circumstances.
I would be very grateful if you were willing to help out with this cause. Listen to the recordings of the poems. Share them online. Perhaps think about donating, even a little, to this very important organisation.
Thank you for your time and interest.
Organizer
Ross Thompson
Organizer
