Meet Kathleen, writer and poet

Jan. 10

Below is a short introduction to one of our community members, Kathleen. Kathleen has also shared six of her poetry pieces with us. Enjoy!

Interview with Kathleen Ann: Writer, Poet, and Regent Park Community Ministry Community Member

How long have you been a community member of Regent Park Community Ministry?

I have been coming to services in this community program for approximately 10 years

What do you appreciate or enjoy most about this ministry?

I feel an intense sense of community and inclusivity at Regent Park Community Ministry. At times I have relied on the wisdom of God, at other times I have relied on wisdom from the pastor, but always, I have relied on the wisdom of the bible. I quite appreciate how Regent Park Community Ministry relies on the word of God to guide us all forward in its weekly offerings. The bulletins provided by the pastor provide a lasting testimony to the wonder of god's word in our lives and gives me something to hold onto when I need upliftment.

What led you to writing? Tell us a bit about your writing experience and/or why writing is important to you!

Becoming a poet has its roots in my childhood. When I was 5 years old my parents gave me a poem to memorize and learn and so I did. They both said i had to learn and study it well enough to be able to recite it to them when asked. It was the day of JFK's passing and my parents wanted me to be distracted from the news of the day. They gave me a book with the poem called the owl and the pussycat and told me to learn it by heart, so I did. Approximately 2 or 3 hours later, I emerged from the den at my grandparents home ready to recite that poem. That poem by Edward Lear fascinated me so much that years later I would once again look to poetry as a primary means of communication. I wrote my first poem in grade 6 called, ‘If i could be king for a day’. I wrote my second poem when I was 16 which I still have a copy of today called the song of the swing. Poetry continues to enthrall me to this day and some of my best friends in the world are poets as well. Poetry is my God given gift and I love to play with words while writing. Even when I pray to God, I use little rhymes to make each prayer memorable to God and myself!

Kathleen’s Poetry:

The Beggar

this poem was written about a statue of Jesus near a Kensington market local Toronto church

on a lonely street corner sits The Beggar

he is neither here nor there, he is everywhere

he is you and me, everyman

He sits draped, hand extended, feet tucked underneath, head down

I stop to give, maybe touch

blood dripping, stigmata in the hand, i back away

I watch the passersby. Most don’t see him. Some look then sharply turn away.

They stream by, like fish upstream, His outstretched hand still empty.

An old couple stops. They bend to give. They jump back too. We talk.

The Beggar sits faithfully awaiting the world to change.

Nov 5 / 2013

Heaven and Earth

I would move heaven and earth to write a great poem.

I would move heaven and earth to charge that poem with enough love and peace that no other could surpass its glory and inspiration.

I would move heaven and earth to meet the angelic beings that surround us – the time is well upon us.

I would move heaven and earth to live wild on the land, creativity and God providing.

I would move heaven and earth to see everyone I know soar toward their dreams through an encapsulated moment of loving compassion showered down upon them from the Heavens.

I would move heaven and earth to meet Jesus here on earth, to share time, philosophies, to chat in common peace, the poet in me so seeking to unite heaven and earth.

I would move heaven and earth for a blessing from heaven to have our wildest dreams come true, not one sad eye anywhere, not one little dream forgotten, not one little angel unhappy.

I would move heaven and earth to meet the littlest angel and spend an afternoon in the countryside for I shall sit with that child and worship that child, as we all should unto each other.

I would move heaven and earth to make all these dreams come true and if I have to sing to the angels and arch angels and surrender to imperturbability and pray for unity, oneness, supraconsciousness, true self, bliss, joy, prosperity and abundance for all, then I will sing the sweetest song I know.

For all this I would move heaven and earth. Amen.

August / 2011

Poem for God

Thank you God for being so near

and showing us your love

a personal saviour

a personal god

leads the way from up above

I treasure the times

I have poured out my soul

as you patiently listen and care

your gentle suggestions i feel and hear

thank you for making me whole.

I hope i praise you as much as you deserve

I know not the mysterious divine

I want you to know, above all else

i love you most

heavenly holy friend of mine.

August / 2011

The World

the world is such a crazy place

i think I’ll take it sitting

I’d rather sail whole and fully real

than playing a role and splitting.

August 23 / 2013

I’m Just Little

I’m just little, walk with me

explain the how and why

show me strength so I will see

the paths that help me fly.

I’m just little, talk with me

tell me stories wide

let my natural spirit rise

as big as ocean’s tide.

I’m just little, hold my hand

tell me all is well

whisper softly while I sleep

surround me with god’s spell.

I’m just little, find my spark

let love and laughter flow

I’ll remember when I’m old

this love that made me glow.

Kz/2004

Poem for the Lord

The Lord can feel me

The Lord can heal me

Because of the Lord

I am not bored

The Lord loves to share

The Lord loves to care

The Lord loves to shine

The Lord is yours and mine

From the beginning, to the end

The Lord is our friend

Author’s biography:

I have been a professional writer since 1992. I began in the software world as a marketing manager and was always responsible for the writing of all of the marketing materials. My skills as a professional writer always set me apart from other managers in the companies I worked for. I have done a lot of copy writing as well as professional reports, websites, manuals and business plans. I worked for an advertising agency as business development manager and was respponsible for all the company’s competitive analysis.

I began freelance writing in 2002 and did a lot of article writing for my own blog. I conducted dozens of interviews and turned them into articles. I also did a lot of corporate work for outlets such as Health Canada, Mitel and Canadian Organic Growers. I focussed on environmental and health subject matter mostly, including farming. To complement my blog, called New World Perspectives, I also wrote and distributed my own environmental newsletter which was very popular for a while.

For the past 3 years I have focussed on creative writing including fiction, fantasy and poetry. I have taken part in nearly every poetry reading group at one time or another, doing the reading circuit in Toronto, Canada.

Creative Writing:

I have been writing short stories for over thirty years and poetry since in my teens. I have authored my own poetry chapbook for more than 15 years which consistently sells out after each printing. I am currently writing a collection of short stories. I have 1 poetry collection ready for publication and 1 novella.

I have purblished a short story, A Trip to End All Trips, in the anthology 2013 of the Toronto Writer’s Collective

I have 2 published poems in Labour of Love Poetry Journal, 2006, Inside the Vault, and 2014, How We Rise.

I was a Feature Poet at The Secret Handshake poetry recital and have had the pleasure of reading much of my work at dozens of poetry reading series around Toronto and Ottawa fspiror many years.

Spiritual Writings:

In 2014, I wrote a book with God and Jesus called Words of an Angel. It contained direct channellings from both of them, they each wrote a letter to their people advising them on spiritual matters, issues of the world and certain advice to business people. I shared it with many people and it sold out through 4 consecutive printings.

I am currently working on a book called, The Wisdom & Genius of God & the Archangels which should be ready for people by early spring or late winter. It contains many divine teachings and lessons I’ve learned over the years, and much wisdom direct from heaven.

Books:

The Metamorphosis of One, coppyright 2023, (poetry)

Angie Hocking

Meet Kathleen, writer and poet

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