Penny Authors celebrates the international Women's Day 2021 by sharing the poetry written by women. Penny Authors Anthology brings together women of all backgrounds and ages to share their experiences through their creative writing. Penny Authors gives facilitation for equal access and opportunity to enter the public arena through the publications of their poems, as a collective, they know , they are not alone.

Penny Authors has been going on since 2014 and has come a long way, Penny Authors Anthology imprint publishes once a year and had achieved 6, "books of Lived.

The list of female poets:

Miss Zainab Khan
Ms Rebekah Vaughan
Miss Elis Dixon-King
Miss Tamanna Parveen
Miss Rabia Mehmood
Miss Nirmal Kaur
Miss Rashma Mehta
Ms Julie Archbold
Ms Lora Ashman
Ms Julie Ann Wheeler
Late Mrs Joan Hodge
Ms Ruth Lewarne
Mrs Nicki Ellis
Miss Laura Ellis
Mrs Alga Statham
Mrs Clare Saunders Whiting
Ms Sally Walker
Ms Elsa Kiernanfox
Ms Jaida Begum
Mrs Suzatte Reed
Ms Sandra Green
Ms Coral Dodsworth
Mrs Ayesha Choudhury
Mrs Ferdous Rahman
Ms Lyla Byrne

As part of the coverage, we will list their poems and enjoy pay our respect for sharing their life experiences.

The Halloweeen Poem

By Zainab Khan

Halloweeen, Halloweeen

Oh! scary halloweeen

October you scary month

Why do we have you?

You're scary as a horror movie and a real monster.

All of the frightening stuff scares me

I shake so much that

I want my adorable cute cat to hug me.

But, what I love about lovely halloweeen is

that you go out on trick or treat and get sweets,

and after you come home you relax calmly

I love halloweeen

Happy halloweeen!

Once

Ellis Dixon-King

Once on a lined piece of paper tucked under his mattress

he wrote a poem called “tuckers bridge”

because that was the name of his favourite

bridge where he lived

he showed it to his best friend and he said it was great

and his mum stuck it on the fridge

and showed it to his sister

that was the year he found his favourite book store

and there was a wedding

with crying and claps

and his mum and dad kissed

and round the corner he met a new friend

and the boy said he was sad

and he asked his dad why he was sad

his dad always watched his favourite show with

him at night and was always laughing.

Once on a crinkled paper tucked in a draw

he wrote a poem called “Cold”

because that is what it was

he showed it to his best friend and he

said it was okay

and his mum stuck it on the fridge

and showed it to his sister

and that was the year

his favourite book store owner said they might close down

because there wasn’t enough customers

and that was the year the married couple lost a child

and his mum and dad stopped kissing

and his friend from round the corner got too sad

so he asked his dad, why?

his dad didn’t watch his favourite show with him and

he didn’t laugh

and his father said he was too busy

so he went straight to bed

Once he wrote a poem in a torn bit from his note book

called, “aging”

because he was aging

he couldn’t show it to his best friend because he was

always with his girlfriend

or new friends

his mum was always at work so she couldn’t hung it

and his sister stayed at her boyfriends

that was the year the book store closed

down, the married couple broke up, his mum

and dad didn’t even talk

his dad was always busy or drunk

so he went straight to bed

Once he wrote a poem called “nothing”

because he felt that he didn’t show anyone

because by the time he finished the handful of pills

he wasn’t alive to do so.

Juxtapose RV

Rebekah Vaughan

…and lastly

for starters

an ingrained

one off

whilst fencing in

an infinity

a murderous saint

sings in silence

of entropic evolution

But first

the conclusion

because I'm bored

when dumbfounded

building destruction

from isolated concoction

trashy treasures

painful pleasure

hardworking leisure

with wonky alignment

+ benevolent hate

I'm sprinting

- at a standstill

it all fully drained

because the fact is

its fiction

like freedom

in addiction?

So right

It's wrong

so short

its long

so dull

yet brilliant

when moving

so still

-boilingly frozen

-maddeningly calm

So when the courtroom

is squatted

it’s a raver's retreat

fast pace

present past

roasted raw

falling flight

all day

through the night

so when invisibility

is seen

and reality's

a dream

I'm in chained in freedom

- heart thinks

-mind felt

uniquely the same

for we many in body

-yet one in mind

as an ocean of knowledge

is contained in a drop

forever is

as always was

and maybe…

is something

to be remembered

only once forgot

divinely debouched

roughly refined

sky high in the gutter

suffering the sublime

Internal cornucopia

chemical innate

fate fuelled ambition

let love navigate.

Million Pieces

By Tamanna Parveen

It's a curious thing to be part of a world you don't belong.

And before the weight of the day reached soul I planned to exist.

The road ahead came with bends so I chose to go underground.

The soil seemed more comforting than the predators of the earth.

My old life would hover in the shadows of darkness and seek my attention.

Injecting my brain with thoughts of madness.

I wanted no part, but we were inextricably connected.

I am a metaphor, symbolic to my strength.

I fought the wars of the gladiators, to win my freedom as it may be.

A million pieces of glass, reflected a million scars.

Daddy Never Really Loved Me

By Rabia Mehmood

The grace of a daughter,

the greatest pleasure of a father.

To her the world existed and was held up on a platter.

Each desire reached for and handed through a dollar.

Through each reach she tried to grab

but no hand was encountered.

Just dead presidents left on a counter.

Back then, she could of sworn

he was the world's greatest father.

But now as a woman she realised

she needed more than just a dollar.

Daddy did you really love your daughter

cause while she ate good, she was starving.

Craving a love she saw portrayed on t.v screens.

Look at how they communicate and

you barely even know what my favourite colour is.

In the same house

yet I was raised by just my mother.

Daddy please tell me do you even know your daughter.

She was the little girl trying to impress you,

but the girls football team was not that impressive.

Maybe he'd be proud and practice with her every night.

In doubt she let go of dreams she figured would never be and instead she yearned for knowledge in love.

Now your little girls out here thinking

some little boys got her love.

He claimed he loved her but how would she know it.

It is a shame that the first person to ever speak it,

didn't even mean it.

20 years old and she may die without ever hearing it.

Happiness

by Rashma Mehta

Happiness is believing

Happiness is reality

Happiness is different

Happiness is real

Happiness is laughter

Happiness is proven

Happiness is joy

Happiness can happen

Happiness is driven

Happiness is focus

Happiness is true

Happiness is dreaming

The Tyranny of 2017

by Nirmal Kaur

The end of the tumultuous tyranny

of profit and Selby.

The analysis of truth verses.

Disorder = allowed to be personal

for the greater good of what’s personally important to me.

Me alone

as I am without partner

and ridiculously a good survivor

from the wrath of the swot team.

1 down,

three to go

the positioning of the power of two still around.

However W the power of 50/50

is the blatancy of a militant struggle

that’s never ending to me.

Was over the moon too

knew that Annie’s Pantry forgave me

was a little offshore with my sight.

Earth Father

(for my beautiful Dad - RIP)

by Julie Archbold

Earth father, bringer of life

Neglected in your strife

Our mother, your wife

Have your sons lost their way

To dream of another day

Where the sins of the world must pay

Earth Father, make rise your name

So that humble souls may rue the game

And neither gender take the blame

We are here now, your children

And will never be balanced without your love

When our Mother cries over your oppression

We need you to light our way

Many siblings have forgotten

Resisting inner strength and outer fortitude

Of nimble body and heart full of passion

For that planet upon which we stand

How this must sadden My Father

Seer of the paradox

Who lives simply to please, with ease

Who is quiet and at peace with his nature

I see you Father

And I wish to resurrect the respect

Of which you are assured

From me

Witch Love

by Lora Ashman

Stir the day

stir the night

yes, beware of me

beware of me

your dearest enemy

from the south

from the north

or even east or west

watch out

here I come

the witch from Halloween.

Star

By Ruth Lewarne

You are

Like the heartbeat of a huge star

Like a thousand silent lightning flashes

Like a wind through heaven

Carrying light

On pulsing waves of stillness

Like night

Soft footed, slow

Like fullness

Like the quietness of breath

Like a journey towards home

Where there is peace

Where the traveller rests

And there is no time

No ticking clock

No ending

My Children

By Late Joan Hodge

Hush can with you just a little longer stay

For the time has come for me to soon be on my way

Let not your heart break nor to brokenly weep

As I can no longer awake from my sleep

In the sea of grief do not linger long

For it will make you weak when there is need to be strong

What I brought to you in life no-one can ever take away

For my love for you will forever stay

Best awhile but never turn back

For life my children has only a forward track

In this life you will never be alone I know

For my spirit will stand beside you where-ever you go

It will be a comfort to you when times are bad

Stand beside you when you're broken and sad

Laugh when you're happy and gay

I will walk with you every inch of the way

I may haunt your memory by day and by night

But lift up your head and let your smiles be bright

For in life you always made my heart feel glad

My children were the most precious gifts I ever had

As you travel life's highway, explore many of her hi-ways

Climb every style and live every mile

Then when time and the world for you stands still

I shall be waiting for you at the front of the hill

Once more together you and I will be

We will enter God's garden just you and me

And there by the sea of tranquillity stand

Before we seek and find his promise land.

Kes

By Julie Anne Wheeler

Kes you saved me,

you are my saviour;

you are my soul.

You Kes saved me

from life's big black hole.

Kes you saved me,

gave me a reason to be.

Kes you are all the love,

kindness and life in me.

Kes you saved me from myself

Kes I love you, you're my girl.

Eddie

By Nicki & Laura Ellis

In Plymouth he was born and bred

His sweetheart Inez he did wed.

A big family of 21 he was from

And to visit him they would come.

For advice or just a natter

To him it wouldn't matter

Two sons were conceived

This he found hard to believe

His joy and pride

Couldn't be denied

He worked hard to be a dad

Through good times and the bad.

Over the years he watched them grow

Through seasons of sunshine, rain and snow

Deal or No Deal and Jeremy Kyle

Always made him smile.

Eddie worked for thirty years or more

At the local council store

To the social club they would go

Meeting friends and playing bingo.

House proud he has always been

No dirt or dust could ever be seen

Malcolm and I did wed

And hey guess where this led

Aimee was Grandchild no.1

Pink and frills and so much fun

Ashley was Grandchild no.2

A boy, so things now, were blue.

Laura was grandchild no.3

One more for the family tree

When he heard there would be No.4

He didn't think there would be any more.

Jodie arrived, and not to be ignored,

The fouth Grandchild he also adored

Next came Ian and Tracy's celebrations

What lovely day to gather relations.

More joy was to come

On the birth of their son

Reggie was Grandchild no.5

Another reason to stay alive.

They all kept him young

And gave him so much fun

Coming to visit you, and see Argyles match

Meant your door was always on the latch.

You welcomed them with open arms

It was always part of your charms

And when you took your dentures out

With your mouth you'd make a pout.

You gave Jodie quite a scare

When she saw your mouth was bare!

What were the odds, that out of the blue,

Aimee got into Plymouth-Uni to be near you.

She worked hard to make the grade

Now the family circles has been made

Your Grandchildren think of you today, but that is nothing new,

They thought of you yesterday and days before that too

All five of them think of the silence, whilst often speaking your name

All they have are memories and a picture frame

Your memory is a keepsake, from which they will never part

God has you in his arms, your family love you with all their heart.

Mike

By Alga Statham

Mike - What a life!

So many helped, encouraged and saved in so many ways,

often unseen.

His energy, that was extraordinary - a strong man.

Highly skilled and knowledgeable in so many areas.

A One Off! and a best friend ever.

Mike - He was "THERE" for anyone who needed help

or was in need.

Loved and missed, memories are forever.

Tricky sometimes with the best of intentions,

but ask with a problem and he nearly always had the answer, had empathy in loads.

Sailing - what he didn't know about sailing

could be written on a 5p piece,

still when sailing he always referred to his friend Paul Kent,

although he knows quite well what to do.

His voice with his Cornish edge, and laugh that could be heard miles off was great.

He really enjoyed a good laugh with his friends,

and I have never known anyone with so many friends;

and now he is another star in the Sky.

Loved and missed by family and friends forever.

One And All

By Lyla Byrne

We have spun in the sun

with music and laughter;

in huge blue skies

with tumultuous bright clouds -

ginormous bulging towers of dazzling cumulus

And we have been crying

on that night and on that day

in the merry morning of May;

even as the songs are sung,

even as the children dance and play

It is said that when the winter is long,

May is the dying month;

even as he strummed and sang a shout

‘Spring! Oh it’s totally tropical. Spring!’

I thought i would hear that again and again…

When I am over the hills and far away,

I will remember this summer a comin’ in

by the chilly wind,

as well as for what the warm sun brings.

As well as for my amazing new old friend

Who else would say 'See the array!

...The trees are so beautiful

...we have to worship them!'

And we wondered about this good sense of the heart,

this instinctive passionate love

We gaze and praise

these new leaves and blossoms

with the sun shining through...

and as we do, we too are reborn

reminded of unity, and to live for a green and gorgeous world.

Oh No, Need To Go

By Clare Saunders Whiting

"A poem about going to the toilet on the train"

I went to the loo on the train

I rolled up by jeans and donned my wellies

To protect me from the lake of wee on the floor

I ventured in and pressed a button

That closed the electronic door

Then, just as I unzipped my fly

A stranger looked me in the eye

As he opened the door

I didn’t get around to pressing the lock button

And I caught a predatory look in his eye.

I shut the door again and firmly pressed lock

Tried to avoid the wet on the set

As I hovered uncomfortably to empty my bladder

I couldn’t help but splash the floor and make it even wetter!

I wish my toilet etiquette was better.

I needed some loo roll to wipe my underside

But it was kind stuck in the dispenser and ripped and shredded

Couldn’t avoid getting a bit of wee on my hand

As the train carriage rocked from side to side

Trousers up, time to wash my hands

I put smelly green liquid soap in the palm of my hands

But the tap … it would give me no water!

And dammit, I forgot to flush the loo

(At least I didn’t do a big smelly poo)

Where’s the flush button? Stupidly it’s behind the upright seat

I’m not gonna touch it, so I leave it unflushed

Green gooey soap still in my palm

Flustered, no water still, I lose my calm

I simply wipe my hands on the blue paper towel

Oh no, what going on, now I need to open my bowel

The loo seat is grim, the pee puddle is swilling

The water’s not running, the train continues to sway

Bowel movement go away

I pray and I pray!

Coronavirus

By Sally Walker

I live in a time of contemporary plague,

I reside in a place of pandemic,

I am a small statistic

lost in a landslide of epidemic tragedy.

I am not a number,

I am not the letters of my diagnosis,

I am not a wildly rearing line

in a W.H.O. Covid 19 graph.

The Sadness of the World

rolls in a great wave,

flooding us, country by country,

in rising Fear.

The streets empty in incomprehension,

the crowds are gone, each alone

counts the cost, day by day,

from behind walls.

The air is emptying from my lungs,

life is fading,

slipping out in the wan March sunshine.

All is dreadful here.

Life is precarious in 2020.

Life is precious always.

The Boat

by Elsa Kiernanfox

Standing on the shingle

sun shining on my face

I look around me

and there it is!

A boat I spy

on the waterline

with its sails up, it seems to say,

do come along and sail away with me.

The Sun is shining

the sky is blue

the sea is choppy and gulls cry

overhead, urging me on. so I go.

Across the bay we sail

through the golden stars

that glitter and sparkle on the waves

like kisses from the sun.

My happy voyage

lasts but for a moment,

while I gaze at this lovely stone.

The boat I found on the beach today.

Extraordinary Sister

by Jaida Begum

I may have come down to earth before you little sis,

but you reached the sky before me,

now smiling down at me,

the most shiniest star there could be.

You have that smirky twinkle smile,

to let me know that you have won.

But I always knew that with your beauty, grace,

intelligence and courage

that you were the one!

I treasure all those memories,

the ones that I hold so dear,

from toys, secrets, and milky chocolates

and the bed that we used to share.

Never did you argue with me

except show the path to tread without fear.

Furious you were the day

that a stranger came and took me away.

From that day I hid my pain and emotions

in case your frustration leads us all astray.

But God knows, You could still always feel

and show your concerns which was real.

'Stand up! Speak up! was your advice

'Fight for your right and be not timid like the mice'

'when people mock you, cheat you,

Don't easily forgive them without care.

I am teaching you, in love and war

everything is always fair'.

You were never underestimated,

exploring the world made you feel proud.

All I heard was songs of praises

never people gossiping in a crowd.

You are my mentor, friend and a sister

who I will always love,

Never did I show or make the time,

to express my feelings that I have until it was too late,

You were again, the first to express your feeling,

I think that day is the best to remember for my comfort and healing.

When years passed by and the final stage came,

I thought for once I will finally prove myself right.

But even then you beat me to it

You saw the truth, the unknown and unseen right before my sight!

Even the one above us, loves you more.

Which is why when he gazed down,

he chose to pick you up before me,

This for me is a source of comfort and mercy

as well as knowing that you left behind your legacy.

Don't worry sis, I am not too far behind you.

Not long till I get my resignation.

Until this notice I will pray for peace at your new destination.

May Allah grant my sis Jannatul Ferdaous.

Autumn

by Suzette Reed

The air is fresh,

The sky is blue

and there is nothing to do,

So I sit down upon the ground

and see the pretty leaves all around,

Red, yellow, brown and green,

The prettiest sight I've ever seen.

Autumn is the third season,

so they say,

Which makes the trees swing and sway,

Hawthorn berries red and sweet,

Dropping gently by my feet,

Hazelnuts hard and brown,

Falling heavily on the ground,

Makes a usual Autumn's morning sound.

Never felt like this before

By Ayesha Chowdhury

Love yourself, love others.

A big smile, satisfaction and pleasure

you can get everything by loving unconditionally.

Why should that matter if anyone loves you or not,

as long as you have the capacity to love, to give,

- you could discover a planet that is so beautiful.

I never knew until I was told that I could drain all the pain,

with soothing touch of my eyes, with a few loving words...

I didn’t realised that I could do this with my selfless love,

miraculous Midas touch.

When you are proud to have someone in your life,

When you expect nothing,

but just to give everything.

When your love makes someone speak their heart,

When you give them strength,

When you make their life worthwhile.

When you make them fight their negativity,

When you can take all their tears, and make them smile;

you become number one lover of the world, the greatest.

You then experience the indescribable pleasure,

you experience the feeling that you never felt like this before.

you experience love, the magic.

I have nothing to tell you

By Sandra Green

I have nothing to tell you

No deeds to recount

No witty rapport to

Impress with account.

I cannot recall a task or a thought

That’s worth repetition

Though maybe I ought

To mention that I,

With my doddering stance

Did manage today,

An impetuous dance.

I threw off dull care

With a nonchalant shrug

Unhooked the curtain

With one mighty tug

Then wrapped it around me

In Romanesque style,

As I swung to the left

And then, in a while

I swung to the right

Until I caught sight

Of me in the mirror

And ,oh what a fright!

GLOBAL WARNING

By Ferdous Rahman

What is happening
Does anyone know?
Are we going to wrap
In a green house?
Some say ice caps are melting
Some blame it on Global Warming.

Mother Nature knows best
Which one to protect
And which one to waste
The rule is the survival
For the fittest.

Emitting carbon dioxide
Blocking the Sun
All alarming news
We become stunned
How are we going to survive?
How are we going to thrive?

The nature provides
More than we deserve
Chlorophyll and stress
We should increase
Use less more we conserve.