"Can You Hear Me?"

I'm off to do a short podcast
Average a couple of hundred hits
But dare I whisper it quietly
I'm really thrilled to bits.
Going to read some poetry
Throw in a little chat
If you suggested this a year ago
I'd have said don't be a prat.
I don't have a message or a purpose
When I write with a bit of rhyme
It's just something that I enjoy
Giving me pleasure time to time.
I'm not that dedicated
I read from bits of paper
None of that taking it seriously
Memorising in your head caper.
For I never want to be a 'proper poet'
Even though I suppose that's what I am
So if you're not impressed with what I share
I honestly don't give a damn.
That's not to say I'm ungrateful
I'm proud of how far I've come
But the bottom line is I write for me
When all is said and done.
Poetry keeps me normal
Whatever that may mean
It's something that defines me
Where I'm going & where I've been.
I don't want to look back in anger
Beat myself up about mistakes again
Which is why I look to grow through poetry
My only weapon a notebook and pen.

Dulwich Poet 24th June 2015

(Earlier today I was recorded for a short poetry podcast, by one of the Lunar Poetry team. I wrote this before I did it, on the bus there.)