Thalassophile

I wrote this poem whilst on holiday in Southbourne, Dorset after I read somewhere that when starved of our senses (as humans) in a sensory deprivation chamber, the loudest thing that remains is our own thoughts.  Now, as an overthinker, this was quite alarming, as my mind is already extremely loud, even with all my senses working at full tilt.  It got me wondering if this may be the opposite then for overthinkers - perhaps our minds become still.  For me, a thalassophile (someone who feels an inescapable need to be and live by the sea; it's the unconditional love of the ocean - come rain or shine) the ocean has always created this calm for me - my sensory deprivation tank.  The art is by Benjamin Viulet - called 'The War Within'.

Path of Totality

I wrote this poem shortly after viewing the eclipse whilst on holiday in Southbourne. I was absolutely blown away by the spectacle that unfolded along the highcliff that day (August 12 2026). People flocked to the spot, setting up tents, picnics, camping chairs, music and used any means necessary to view the rare beauty of the 94% total eclipse. They used, colanders, cereal boxes, welder’s masks and foil…but one thing that they could not use was their phones, due to the sheer power of the sun. The event was a stunning phenomenon and one I will remember forever. But the more beautiful event was that the world stopped for a moment to just take in the absolute unexplainable might and beauty of nature. That’s what I hoped to capture in this poem.

Immortality

 I wrote this poem 05 August 2026 - the idea formed in my head when I was thinking back on a conversation I had with an ex-GCSE student who was remarkably bright.  When I asked what he was going to do with his life, he responded that he wanted to find the secret to immortality.  Now as an English teacher - the literary alarm bells ring, of the unchecked ambition of tragic heroes like Wiktor Frankenstein and Macbeth.  My thoughts, on this however, are set out in the poem.  I feel that immortality is a reality, if only we can see the wood for the trees (so to speak).  The picture I decided to pair with my poem is by an artist named Crisco Art - called 'Red Balloon'.  I liked the passing of the balloon as symbol of immortality.

Nothingman

By Angela Churchill.

Another poem inspired by an Instagram prompt to write a poem inspired by an image in 2026.  When I saw this image, I immediately thought about the loneliness of old age and how often the elderly are forgotten, as they hang onto their memories for as long as time allows.  It makes my feel sad.

 

Seagulls

 

Written August 2025 in Southbourne, Dorset, whilst on holiday.  I was inspired by seagulls first in Devon in 2023, when on holiday in Ilfracombe.  We stayed in a lovely apartment with panoramic ocean views and I just fell in love with watching the seagulls bobbing on the water, like little floating pebbles, basking on the rocks in the day and drifting and gliding on the wind - and I felt a jealousy and decided there and then, that if reincarnation is, indeed  a real thing, I'd love to come back as a seagull.

Shadows

By Angela Churchill

Based in an Instagram prompt to create a poem based on the image in the background and my fascination with the versatility of the imagery and connotations attached to our shadows.

 

The Wonderful Wisdom of the Worm

 

By: Angela Churchill

Inspired by Donna Booth, who asked for a poem about a worm 2026

Half moons

 

Inspired by an intense season of loss and grief after the passing of my sister in law and my father. I was forced to come to terms with the fact that I needed medical intervention to cope with my long term depression.