Isn't this year going fast?

Well it is, isn't it? I had grand plans to write the big blockbuster by the end of March, and it's barely started yet. I was also going to add blogs on a less-than-weekly basis and just got in under the line with this one.
I had questions about the poem: I wrote "Gorillas" last year, and read it at a couple of "Poems and Pints" sessions in Cheshire where it was well received. The idea was to have a simple child-like poem with a reminder that gorillas like many other species are in danger of being wiped out, hence the "gorillas... will be missed" ending which colours the poem somewhat differently to what might have been expected. Hey, it's only a poem! Hey, they're only gorillas! Hmm, well...

I would be interested to hear from other writers how they get on with their work in an organised way (or otherwise). I subscribe to WRITING MAGAZINE - http://www.writingmagazine.co.uk/ - and some of the comments in their are interesting, but it would be nice to hear directly from others out there. Expert advice is great, but personal support can be a lot more effective.

I'm part of a group of poetry writers at Keele University, led until the end of the year by Cheshire's first Poet Laureate, Harry Owen. He has been quite an inspiration but he is leaving for South Africa soon, so it will be interesting to get a different perspective from the lady who is taking over (sorry; don't know her name yet). All good wishes to Harry and Christine as they head for their new life. Anyone in the vicinity of Keele might like to go along to a poetry session with the first five poets laureate on 22nd January. They call the show "Bunch of Fives" and there have been a lot of positive comments about it already. Check it out on http://www.bell-jar.co.uk/ which is the site of Jo Bell, the fifth PL.

Where do ideas come from?
I've got a few ideas of my own, and I would like to hear from anyone else who has suggestions to make. I will be writing about this soon.

Very short poem to end this time:

Alice

Alice cries for her lost friends
as they check the straightjacket
as the white rabbit sneaks in.

Pen to paper!
Mannfredd