I thought it timely to pen some thoughts in verse:

THE HALF-TRUTHS ©

In search of truth
Beware half-truths.

The half-truths that lull us into believing
Falsehoods that could be deceiving.
Information accepted fully and in haste.
Can instil trust that is misplaced.

False statements that contain a grain of fact.
Might shape our thoughts and how we act.
They could even aid deception.

Thus, misinformation and disinformation flow.
And seeds of misconception grow.

It’s good to have an open mind.
To listen but also to question
The source of a suggestion.
To seek evidence and review
Being careful not to misconstrue.

In science and in life we must
Beware half-truths and misplaced trust.

©Julie Charlesworth, 2023
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Curiosity and an open mind are good but healthy skepticism without cynicism is also good. ‘Keep an open mind but not so open that your brain falls out.’

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 20/10/23

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See also my earlier poem putting simply how misinformation and disinformation are wrong.

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We all tend to take each other’s mental and physical wellbeing for granted. We often ask but without conviction ‘How are you?’ and receive the usual response ‘I’m fine, I’m OK’. This has prompted me to express some sentiments in verse.
 
LIFE’S CRUEL BLOWS ©
 
When life deals the cruellest blow.
And what you know
Is not yours to share.
 
When sorrow runs deep,
Emotionally draining.
All you can do is show you care.
 
In the bleakest times,
Speaking in rhymes
Seems a tad trite.
 
Try as you might,
You cannot see the light.
You can just about cope.
 
Simply touch, hug, and give authentic love.
A gentle kiss and above all this,
A tiny spark of hope.
 
Because in this moment we see.
It is not just you and me.
It is We and so much more.
 
For, in such times it is humanity itself.

©Julie Charlesworth, 2023
 
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Be kind in business as well as in life generally. You never know what someone is going through.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 25/07/23

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MISINFORMATION IS WRONG! ©
 
Put simply in just 3 words,
But on many levels.
Whether incorrect or a bad thing
Misinformation is wrong!
 
Disinformation is worse.
It’s deliberate.
It aims to deceive,
And often with ill-intent.
 
There’s far too much about.
 
Misinformation is wrong.
Calling it out
Is right!

©Julie Charlesworth, 2023

I recently wrote this poem to capture my thoughts on the subject in just a few words.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 15/02/23

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Worth watching to the end – just a minute.

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The moments I captured in the photos and video I prepared also inspired me to write this short verse:

FROSTY FEAST AFTER A MOONLIT NIGHT ©
 
The Snow Moon the Hunger Moon
Lights up the still night sky.
The vastness the spectacle
To keep in our mind’s eye
 
Lest we forget
Whilst gazing at the sky,
The weather can be harsh
And food in short supply.
 
And so, with thoughts
To life on Earth
And Nature
Close to home.
 
On a frosty February morning
There seems much less to bemoan.
 
When a little garden feast
For tiny, feathered friends
Brings a flurry of activity.
 
A happy sight to see.

©Julie Charlesworth, 2023

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Let’s cherish our amazing Planet Earth and connect to Nature.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 8/02/23

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Is opinion change viewed differently in science and politics? Why might that be?
 
SCIENCE, POLITICS, AND TRUST.©
 
Here are some thoughts
I thought I’d share.
If I dare.
Because I think
It should be said
That reactions to
Changes of opinion
In science and in politics
May differ.
 
Here goes:
 
Scientists may change their opinions
It’s acceptable.
It’s respectable
In science.
 
When new data emerge
More evidence may mount
To support
A new hypothesis.
 
But what of opinion change
In politics and policy?
 
It seems it can be frowned on,
Viewed suspiciously,
Even looked down on
In politics.
 
But as information evolves,
Evidence or other reasons may mount
to support a new policy
or opinion.
 
What then?
 
Unquestionable devotion
Is not a given.
Public support
Can be based on reasoning or emotion.
Past decisions should
Be understood.
Mistakes can even be forgiven.
 
It’s not a time to appear aloof
When people deserve the truth.
 
As a scientist I suggest
Evidence-based change is best.
But decisions may be needed
In times of uncertainty
When evidence is limited.
 
Where opinions change
Truth, reasons, and clarity
Are a must!
In science and in politics
Engagement is best earned
Through honesty and transparency,
That in turn will lead to trust.
 
 
                    ©Julie Charlesworth, 2023
 

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 03/01/23

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(Thoughts are my own but inspired by several discussions at ESOF2022.)

I have very occasionally had the most vivid dreams about each of my parents which brought me great comfort. My mum died 10 years ago this May and my dad died 27 years ago this September. I recently wrote this poem to capture some intense feelings of loss and comfort. I thought it might be timely to share my poem with you as many people will be missing loved ones.

STAY WITH ME©

In a dream
You are here.
I can see, touch, and sense you.
I know it’s a dream
But just for now
Please stay with me a moment.

Life hurts.
I still miss you.

©Julie Charlesworth, 2022

Losing one parent was hard. With the second parent also gone I felt a profound sadness and a surreal sense of emptiness. However, their most precious legacy is their values, and the stories that continue to be passed on. In this way, I still feel the closeness and love of my parents.

I wrote this poem in memory of my parents and thinking of all those in mourning or missing loved ones.

Thinking of families and individuals who have lost loved ones or are reminded of the loss of loved ones, particularly this week and during difficult times.

It is also a period of time for thoughtful reflection.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 10/9/22

Happy Yorkshire Day!
Manchester made me, I’d have to say.
But I was once a Yorkshire lass.
Born and bred there some time past.

Thankful to have some Northern grit.
And, what the world needs now is some Northern wit!

🎉Thinking of Yorkshire folk and those with Yorkshire connections🎉

Today, I am pausing to think of my Yorkshire roots.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 1/8/22

(On the subject of Yorkshire roots, I should add that the Yorkshire rhubarb in my garden continues to thrive in 2022! See previous post on home comforts and humour in tough times.)

With the wedding season in full flow, here is a celebration of summer, romance, and roses. To positivity and hope for the future. To newlyweds and those about to wed. To wedding bliss – sealed with a gentle kiss.

A short poem I have just written…
 
SUMMER, ROMANCE, AND ROSES.©
 
To romance and roses,
Fresh as dew drops
Bouquets and posies.
Even forever
And ever-
Enduring Ruby Wedding roses.
 
To a sense of serenity.
Solemnity.
Pinned to a collar
An emblem to follow
Or simply a single rose
For the one you chose.
 
To the calm and ambling
Or the wild and rambling.
Bushiness.
Times of gushiness.
Full of feelings,
Flowery finesse.
 
With summer, roses, and love – in the air.
We share our hopes and how we care.
For no matter how life goes.
We can have hope,
And love.
As lovely as a summer rose.

©Julie Charlesworth, 2022

The Ruby Wedding roses are back in bloom again this year, and this is a photo I took just a few weeks ago.
 

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 7/7/22

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[Note: This time last year – I wrote another poem with sentiments of relevance today, as well.]

Content counts in communications – as illustrated in this short verse, a parody of meaningless content. In many arenas including science communications (and also of course in politics) we often hear the same old same old same old words, and they can merge into background crowd noise. Indeed, people may stop listening. I am posting this thought with a verse and a dollop of healthy scepticism to make a point 😉.

RHUBARB, RHUBARB ©
(A verse to be read aloud)

Rhubarb …

Rhubarb Rhubarb.

Rhubarb!

Rhubarb Rhubarb Rhubarb.

Rhubarb Rhubarb Rhubarb.

Rhubarb Rhubarb.

Rhubarb!

©Julie Charlesworth 2021

N.B. In theatre and film there is a practice of actors saying the word rhubarb repetitively to mimic the sound of indistinct conversation.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 16/02/22

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AND SO, WE ARE HERE ©

And so, we are here.
We survived thus far.
You and I
And others too.

Everyone has their own stories,
In these strangest of times.
Some will hold them close.
Some will be shared in rhymes.

Out and about more now.
We are the same
But not the same.

We can shout it
Or quietly contemplate
Our fate.
No doubt about it
Things are not the same.

It’s not all over
But it feels different.
And so, it should be.
If not,
Then what did we learn?

It is time for unity.
Some will engage.
Maybe in different ways
But in a common purpose.
And that is
– To change.

©Julie Charlesworth, 2021

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It felt like time for a poem and this is the one I have just written. (There are lots where this came from – Maybe to share.) I find that poetry flows naturally from within, and it finds its own way of expressing and communicating feelings. At the risk of sounding or being pretentious – I’ll stop there. I simply hope it strikes a note for you to enjoy.

Take care.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 8/9/21