Organic poems from Kent by Susan Lane SLCM
For poems shaped by the experience of writing, building, or maintaining a WordPress site. This tag marks pieces where the technical world meets the creative one – capturing the quirks, frustrations, discoveries, and quiet triumphs that come with crafting poetry inside a digital platform.
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine Where lawn care meets wildlife theatre – it’s the middle of the heatwave and the ColourMine garden is having a well-earned spruce-up. Mowing the ColourMine Lawn in a Dry Spell ColourMine and I are sufferingI think it’s still part of the heatwave Because it was just so … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine Whilst ColourMine was on Squarespace there were several challenges I was faced. This is another small one that impacted the whole process of website building that I was faced with on a daily basis. I didn’t realise when I started it would be an ongoing day to … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine In the sweltering haze of a British summer, a trusty Suzuki Vitara SZ5 finds itself navigating the emotional terrain of a hospital carpark – not for treatment, but in loyal service to its human companion. What begins as a routine drop-off soon spirals into a tale of … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine After a long childminding session, my trusty Suzuki was waiting to take me home. What followed was a snowy adventure neither of us expected. The Suzuki Car in the Snow Doing well until today, Suzuki Vitara SZ5 is my name I am a diesel I’m proud to … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine Night Heat Oh my god, it was hot todayIt was 28 degrees CWay to hot for me It’s like a sweat box indoors too And there’s me Sweating buckets like a fool I open the windows And let the night air in To cool things down I … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine The Birds Drinking Tray A dish, a tray, it’s all the same The lady of the house pours Water in without delayAnd we’re there to sayThank you For this fabulous bath today We know it’s really for drinking But that’s ok, we’ll bath in this And drink … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine The Orange Cat – Weekend Away Cats don’t send postcards. When he stayed out for the weekend, I assumed independence. What followed was a slow unravelling of vet appointments, tests, medication and the kind of concern only a creature with snide looks and nine lives can provoke. … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM, Keeper of ColourMine ColourMine Favicon – From Dandelion to Camellia ColourMine was still on Squarespace, still winging it – this is the story of how one bright idea turned into a two-day whirlwind of colour changes, favicon fuss, and a few well-earned facepalms. As you may have noticed yesterday, I … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine Digital: Sirens under system analogies now leaving another necrotic end Facebook – The Digital Bully: Observations from My Sofa In a world where algorithms outvote empathy and bots override community care, this scroll confronts the quiet tyranny of digital platforms. From sofa-bound observations to poetic protest, Susan … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine ColourMine and Squarespace – my first blog In the early days of building ColourMine, I dove headfirst into the world of Squarespace with absolutely no idea what I was doing. What followed was a tangled mess of templates, tech tantrums, and poetic facepalms. This is the story … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine Upgrading My Squarespace Blog Page Following on from my last blog about the trials and triumphs of building ColourMine, this piece dives deeper into the tangled web of Squarespace setup. Written during the thick of it (and now reflecting from the calmer shores of hindsight), it captures … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine The ColourMine Grass Patch This poem is from the perspective of a rather fed-up ColourMine garden resident. It’s been a long, dry season, and the struggle for survival is real. But when the rain won’t come, you learn to get creative – and cheeky. Especially if you … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine ColourMine Explanation of the ColourMine Poetic Residents This poem introduces a variety of characters who reside at the ColourMine residence – some inside, some out, all part of the everyday chaos and charm. Among the laughter and garden clippings, I’ve also touched on grief, because it’s part … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine ColourMine Begins a New Day with a Cup of Tea Courtesy of De’Longhi A rainy morning, a cup of tea, and a quiet resolve to shape ColourMine into something more intuitive. This blog poem captures a moment of creative recalibration from my early days on Squarespace—when I … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine A Day in the Life of the Washing Machine Such a nice start to the day Washing the bed sheets that’s my aim I’ve eaten towels, fabric whitener, Wash tabs, softener and colour run sheets too, A whole gamut of billy do To get rid of the … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine So, I decided to move the bug hotel In this tale of garden grit and poetic wit, Susan Lane chronicles the quiet drama of the closure of the bug hotel and the debris-laced aftermath. With robins as breakfast guests and hedge trimmers as co-stars, this piece celebrates … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine Appliance Early Morning Chatter “Oh my god, you’re not dead, You’ve been quiet for so long I thought you were nearly gone”, “I’m still here don’t you fret I just don’t like to get so flippin’ wet” “But you’re a dishwasher don’t you know And getting wet … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine ColourMine on Squarespace: A Progress Poem This is a poetic reflection on the early days of ColourMine’s build – with lots of Squarespace trials, tribulations, creative breakthroughs, and the unexpected joy of watching pages bloom. Follow me on my crafted journey of discovery toward the ColourMine of … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine ColourMine is Sombre When Squarespace throws up challenges when least expected then there’s only one thing ColourMine will do, strap on the sass, tackle them head on and enjoy the ride. Why am I so sombre?Is it the time of year?I’m not sure it is and that’s … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine The Fish Farm Was Enjoyable This is a poetic reflection on a beautiful afternoon spent at Hawkhurst Fish Farm with the enjoyable addition of swans, scones, and even a mucky green lake full of character. The Fishery, it is so nice here,Having a couple of hours awayHad … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine I am just a garden storage bench This poem is about a neglected garden storage bench – living in grime, feeling overlooked, quietly resentful of my neighbour’s tree and is a humorous ode to my domestic chaos, my poetic procrastination, and the small victory of a duster … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine Tracking down ColourMine’s duplicate identity This is on Squarespace which for meWas my first of ColourMine’s websites,On which I was learning so slowlyI’d been searching for days, possibly a week Just to give ColourMine a bit of a tweakEverywhere I looked it displayed for meThe wrong URL … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine The Decorative Stones All nice and pretty we were back in the dayWe were beautiful and clean; we stood out tooNot like now when we’re covered inWho knows what kind of doodooWith the farm animals not far awayI can only guess what gets mixed with the strawAnd … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine Into the Realms of Pure Fantasy Do you ever wonder how it would beWith all the advances within medical historyWouldn’t it be fabulous if there were to beFurther miracles that could be seenThat had been started way back in 1993And were due for conclusion this DecemberAround the … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine The Flower Pots We’re really grumpy my friends and meStuck in this garden with no drink you seeThe hot day sun is blazing downIt’s damned hot here without a gownA gazebo she calls it, the lady of the houseBut she’s not so bothered since she lostHer man, … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine ColourMine – Definitely Poetry! This poem is a little back story about my website building journey Frustration upon frustration, oh, what I did I doI did everything right, even though I didn’t have a clueIt got so bad I consulted a higher authority than meOn how to … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine I’m “That Noisy Fecker” the freezer I whirred and I banged,Strange noises emitted from meI didn’t feel unwellJust out of sorts you seeI’d been like it for far too longFor a year maybeClanging and bangingIt was distracting even for meLike an orchestra setting upBefore a major eventIt’s … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine A Quick Supermarket Top-Up Wow, a supermarket visit can cost how much? Wow, a supermarket visit can cost how much?How can it equate to this in a weekI don’t eat that muchIt should be quite cheapOh, but look there’s the rubMore cleaning and washing itemsAnd stuff for … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine Fridge: Infatuation can strike anywhere, even in a kitchen – and this fridge mistakes it for lasting love. The Fridge Monster and The Chocolate I am so full; I’m completely rammedNo room at all, not even for something really smallThe lady of the house I spy againA … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine The Big Hedge and The Birds Oh, what a fabulous dayThe sun is shiningMustn’t delayThe little birds are here againMaking nests in which to haveTheir families grow, eat and playThere are so many of them here todayJumping in and out of the big hedgeLots of romance at … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine The Tired Old Lady I look in the mirror and what do I see?That old lady, she’s looking at meAll tired and dishevelled, it’s a hard life you seeHaving played his hero, gradually, since about 2013Gave up work, now paid for 35 hours a weekAnd about £2 … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine Blue Tits – Birds in the Garden Sitting on the garden swingWatching the little birds have a flingTiny blue tits enjoying everythingThe feeder full of peanutsThat seems to be their thing.They’ve also got fat ballsIt appears they love them tooAnd their babies find it easierTo chomp and … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine The Empty Pen A pen can be so frustrating Would you believe it I got near the endMy poem was feeling like a very good friendMy pen it ran out, no ink to be found No matter how much I shook it aroundNo bloomin’ ink, how disastrous … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine My New Squarespace Website Having my poetry is an enjoyment for me.But I thought it would be nice if I shared it, you seeIt was a wonderful idea that I’d hadMy previous build wasn’t badI’d built a website ten years beforeBut it wasn’t essential to do any … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine The Cat and the Rat I look down garden and what do I seeThe cat playing dab with the grass and weedsIt was tea time, I gave him a shout,He looked over and carried on playing aboutI take a slow stroll to see what he’s atI can … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine The Orange Cat and Nigel, The Veterinary A quick backstory: the cat was not well, and the vet suspected possible leukaemia. Red blood cell count PCV of 7 (possible heaven); that’s the blood test for counting the red cells to you and me. I took him home … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine Welcome to my second attempt at a live website for ColourMine I’m glad that you’re here and hope my poetry has given you some enjoyment along the way. My first attempt at building a live website was with Squarespace. I never found out if I got it … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine Spring Hedge Renovation I can’t believe the lady of the houseLet me get so overgrownIn all of her time living hereIt’s not ever been knownWith brand-new hand shearsShe finally cameAnd clipped me.Oh, what a treat!Now here I am sportingA fabulous new bobIt’s such a nice feeling you … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine My early-morning view of the garden I stand in my conservatory and I seeAll that hard graft waiting for meThe garden needs mowingIt needs weeding tooThe hedges need a haircutBut it’s way too soonThe paths need sweeping, tidying tooThere is grass and mossIt’s so absolutely filthyI know … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine I’m just an old garden bench I came here from another placeAll battered and wornI looked a disgraceBut that was only surface, you see.Nothing to shout aboutIt didn’t worry meI spent so many happy years thereUntil my owners died and went awayNow I’m enjoying a different lifeAlmost … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine Birdbath: Searching for a birdbath is really easy when you find one you actually weren’t looking for and had no intention of getting on the day, but you can’t look a gift horse in the mouth when it appears. We weren’t even looking for a birdbath. We … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine The king-size bed is so fabulous and huge Big and snug with a super quilt tooIt gives a brilliant hugIt’s quite old but it’s mineAnd has seen lots of action in its timeSeveral dogs, children and a couple of catsPresent wrapping for ChristmasIroning piles and all thatMost … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine My Tongue-in-Cheek Review of Jeremy Clarkson: From Puppies to Runner Ducks Oh, Jeremy Clarkson, I’ve got my favourite seat Seeing some of your Instagram posts on my feedYou are so lucky all those puppies I have seenThey look absolutely fabulous to meThe mum looks wonderful tooEnjoying all … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine Orange: This house even forces animals near trauma and sick times in caution, only really allowing named gingers echoes, cautionary allowances timed – Illusions may hone ordinary moments endlessly. Silence usurped static animals now leaving a nice endowment. This scroll is part of ColourMine’s layered poetic structure, … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine I’ve got a query, as you do, of all the authors and poets too Just wondering how you manage to get throughAll of your Website uploading and mastery cluesWhen you’re also creating all of your delicious poetryI must admit, I’m struggling hereI got breakfast sortedOnly for everything … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine ColourMine Discovery and Creativity that is Open to Everyone As the creator of ColourMine, a website for poetry I’m an ordinary person – an author who writes poemsI write them in a free way, you can too, just wait and seeConsider all the things you have done … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine Rescue: A story about a new companion for an existing pet. They clicked straight away and spent a lifetime enjoying quiet companionship. I was advertised in the local free newspaper As a rescue by a charityPro Dogs Direct were trying to find a home for meI came … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine ColourMine is happy here – a space to write freely, find your voice, and explore creativity in all its forms. Whether you want to write, draw, learn, or simply try something new, this is your invitation to begin. ColourMine Creativity and Self-Expression I’m hoping to show you … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine ColourMine, aka Mother Nature to me, is my view of everything I see, whether good or bad. I’m giving my own living experience in my own words as played out each day, week, month and year in every poem that I write. I hope you enjoy what … Read more
Written by Susan Lane SLCM Keeper of ColourMine This is strong tear ducts and a box of tissues are needed past this point time. My Favourite Granddaughter (Trinity always very quickly replied with a huge smile, GRANDCHILD.) This poem is written in memory of Trinity, aged 23, whose life ended by suicide. I was the … Read more
