A Thousand Thoughts: A Book of Poetry

By David Penny

Varied and original, 'A Thousand Thoughts' aims to inspire, to provoke thought, to raise a smile and to comfort along the journey. Incorporating poems on such subjects as love, loss, hope, comedy, nature, fantasy, myth and historic events.

Poetry holds a key to unlock the inner thoughts and imagination of the reader, this unique compilation of poems by David Penny is open to interpretation, using the vehicle of the mind to travel along the route.

With such variation, there surely will be something for everyone in this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Mar 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504939010

David Penny

David Penny is a 'Distinguished Professor' at a New Zealand University, and has a PhD from Yale University. He is a New Zealander by birth.

Book preview

© 2015 David Penny. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/24/2015

ISBN: 978-1-5049-3900-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-3901-0 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

PREFACE

BRIGHTEST STAR

MOTHER NATURE

THE FISH QUESTION

STONE

TIME TO HEAL

ALIENS THEY DID COME

THE DOG’S BITE

STOKE THE DYING EMBERS

RAINBOW

LIES AND TRUTHS

SHONE

DOLL

DARK SKIES

AFAR

NEAR MY LOVE

ICARUS

AND

DRY RIVER

FOREVER SEEN

14600

EMPTY CHAIR

APPLE

DIE GLOCKE

MERMAID

WAIT

FRUITION

TEA FOR ONE

FAITH LAND

CLOCK ON THE WALL

THE PLOUGH

RELATIVITY

FALSIFY HISTORY

FOREST

WHY?

SYNCHRONISED

CURIOSITY

HOW PERFECT YOU ARE

RAIN

DO YOU NOT SEE ME?

PLANT

SHIP

MOON

HOW TO SAY GOODBYE?

OCEANS APART

VICTORIES DEFEAT

THE LION’S DEN

FOOTPATHS

STRETCHING FLOWER

ROSIE THE CAT

WHALES IN THE SKY

ANEW

DESTROYED

STRIVE

AT THE SIDE

STARS IN THE NIGHT

TIME MACHINE

LITTLE SMURF

LITTLE SMURF 2

SERENE

THE IMPOSSIBLE BATTLE

WHY SHE DOES

WHIRR AND WINE

FALLING PETALS

THEY WALK AMONGST US

WHERE THE SEA MEETS THE LAND

FISH

LIGHT IN THE DARK

PEBBLE

THE PEBBLE

TRUST

AUTUMN GOAL

FISH BOWL

BIG

FRITZ THE CAT

TIRED

RIGHT AND WRONG

ANT

XMAS TREE

MY CHRISTMAS JUMPER

CHRISTMAS BAA HUMBUG!

FLOWER GIRL

MOTORISED HORSE

MY SISTER’S SOFA

LEGO

OVERFLOWING FISH

TIME

FORGOT

BALER

WHO SHINES?

EVERYONE

ONE WEEK

NOW

PRAISE ME

LOSS

LET ME LOVE YOU

FALLEN

ANGEL

EINSTEIN

PREY

DANDELION

FORGOTTEN

TREE OF LOVE

DANCING ANGEL

JOE LIGHTNING

UNSHACKLED

LOVE

COAT

PANCAKES

THE ANGRY FLOWER

EVILUTION

GREEN LEAF

LET MY FEET COME BY

THE MACHINE

TEQUILA AND RICE AND PORK AND SHOES

THE OLD SOFA

STARS IN THE NIGHT SKY

TO WAIT

CHAIR OF REASON

TWO LEGS OR FOUR?

BACK WHERE I DREAMT

FOR SHEILA

FOREVER

PREFACE

Poetry, in the sense of ‘art writing’ differs from other forms of writing by being uniquely open to interpretation, similar to that of looking at say, a, ‘Picasso’ with perhaps, the artist’s original intention being completely polarised by that of the viewer. As with paintings than hang on walls and watch the decades and centuries pass, poetry will change its projection. That said; a little insight into the poet will inevitably and somewhat subconsciously draw the reader to the clichéd time and environment of that particular poet and their mindset. For example: The first time I heard William Blake’s ‘Little Lamb’ would have conjured up a very different image, had I been informed that it was written by Edward Lear. Both fantastic poets, but in my mind, the ‘Little Lamb’ would have taken on a different persona altogether.

Although poetry is never particularly in fashion, it also does not fluctuate with trend. The more we become aware of poetry, the more we see it in everyday situations. Listen to a song on the radio – be it a modern urban hit or a time honoured classic ballad – both rely on poetry to spring alive their meaning. Radio commercials that invariably break up the continuity of these songs; what better way to get their message across than a pithy and catchy rhyme?

‘A Thousand Thoughts’ is a book of varied poems, some written through and to express personal emotions, some to express or empathise with emotions of others. Some, inspired by historic events or myths, some through pure imagination and fantasy, some to bring alive and chorus an unconsidered voice, as in ‘Mother Nature’ (page 2)

When compiling this book, I toyed with the idea of placing the poems in some order, maybe in different chapters under such categories as: Love, loss, hope, nature, comedy etc.

However, after reading the poems in their loose un-categorised state, I decided that the ‘rise and fall’ of the disorganised, reflected more life’s journey, and anticipate this will make a more interesting voyage.

This is my first book of poetry and I hope there will be something for everyone in this little book.

I wish to personally thank Wanjiru Macheria and Dee Belgrave for their contributions to my inspiration and knowledge and other help in creating this book.

BRIGHTEST STAR

Late at night,

While taking dog out,

I glanced up at the clear night sky,

The blanket of stars looked back at me,

But one did catch my eye,

As I gazed in wonder,

At this brightest star,

I felt the warmth inside me grow,

And tell me that you’re still with me,

For you never truly did go.

Now each day,

When the sun comes out,

And awakes God’s beautiful land,

When confusion surrounds and covers me,

I know now, I will understand,

That the glow I feel,

From the sun is your smile,

That comforts me from afar,

And in the night,

You are