Welcome to my poetry page. All of my poetry is fiction and I rarely write about myself. It might happen, but they are few and far between! I have self-published 10 collections.
Kaleidoscope
A collection of 119 poems, written since I was 16. They range from serious to funny, covering subjects from the everyday to philosophy or the abstract. Some are snippets from the lives of imaginary characters or just ideas or reflections on nature.
The book is structured under eight themes: figures; nature; abstracts; love; haiku; creatures; childhood and dark wave.
Published in March 2011.
Old meets new in this collection of 316 haiku, composed in the traditional pattern of three lines with 5-7-5 syllables.
Subjects include: nature, life, food, animals, loss, love, longing, hope, the seasons, dreams and time. I like creating little words that paint a picture for the reader.
Published in June 2012. New cover in 2015.
Travelling Light (usually free)
A collection of 119 poems, written since I was 16. They range from serious to funny, covering subjects from the everyday to philosophy or the abstract. Some are snippets from the lives of imaginary characters or just ideas or reflections on nature.
The book is structured under eight themes: figures; nature; abstracts; love; haiku; creatures; childhood and dark wave.
Published in March 2011.
Old meets new in this collection of 316 haiku, composed in the traditional pattern of three lines with 5-7-5 syllables.
Subjects include: nature, life, food, animals, loss, love, longing, hope, the seasons, dreams and time. I like creating little words that paint a picture for the reader.
Published in June 2012. New cover in 2015.
A collection of 56 poems about people wandering the world with their dreams, searching for something - the things that inspire us. Memories remain forever. Published in May 2011. Updated in 2021.
Right: old cover.
A collection of 45 haiku and 109 poems, divided into two sections: Light and Shade.
Published in April 2015.
A collection of 446 poems, written between April 2020 and March 2021.
Published in July 2021.
A collection of 74 poems. All of these, except for Judder, were written between April 2, 2022 and May 14, 2023.
Published in May 2023.
Woman
A collection of 55 poems on the theme of womanhood. Most of these poems were written between January 2021 and May 2023.
A collection of 55 poems on the theme of womanhood. Most of these poems were written between January 2021 and May 2023.
Published in May 2023.
Between the Sky & the Sea
A collection of 38 poems on the themes of sky and sea. These poems were written between March 2021 and May 2023.
Published in February 20, 2024.
Murals - Selected Poems
A collection of 60 poems. These poems were written between May 2018 and October 2023.
Published on March 13, 2024.
Colouring the Edges - Selected Poems
A collection of 50 poems. These poems were written between March 2021 and February 2022.
Published on March 29, 2024.
Links to where the books are on sale in ebook and paperback:
Smashwords
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
My poetry page on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KaleidoscopePoetry
Scroll down for sample poems and reviews.
Reviews of Kaleidoscope
***** A P
Great poems, all beautifully and thoughtfully written.
***** Wistfulskimmie
Wow! This author writes beautiful words. I enjoyed each
& every poem, I found myself turning page after page to read the next &
the next. More of the same please! Such a talented writer.
***** Grady Harp
This is a book of a mixture of poems in both content and
in form. Where she is most successful is in her brief poems that celebrate some
natural miracle as in the poem titled RAIN. When a new poet gives evidence of a
language as fresh as this then we can expect much more... moments that make us
pause long enough to look around and remember the magic. She seems to be less
concerned with shocking her reader than with embracing - with all the talent
she has to share. This is refreshingly talented writing.
***** Rebecca Johnson
I was instantly impressed by the fast-paced rhythm of the
first poem. The rest of the poems were equally as appealing and they ranged
from bright and cheerful to dark and ominous. I liked the contrast between
the light and dark poems and enjoyed reading about all the beauty we find in
the world.
***** C Lovejoy
Kaleidoscope is thoughtful and evocative. I
particularly like Pine needles which conjures up images of holidays
past! It is easy to dip in and out of - Vickie has the ability to
transport readers to another time and place entirely, offering a little slice
of escapism and a break from the daily grind.
Reviews of Life's Rhythms
Reviews of Travelling Light
***** E Meyer
Vickie Johnstone has again put out a good book of poetry,
with her own unique combination of traditional haiku with a modern edge. There
are some evocative words and great imagery here, and many of the poems can
easily be linked together to form lyrical stories. Definitely worth a read!
**** B Ditmars
Life’s Rhythms is a great selection of traditional haiku.
There is beauty as well as current themes reflecting nature and man’s misuse of
it.
Life’s Rhythms is full of beautiful poems. If you want to
be inspired then you should definitely read Vickie's poems. I did not want to
rush through either of the books. How can I describe how I felt when reading
the poems? I wanted to enter the poem and feel the emotions. Kind of like
sitting in my rocker looking out into the piney woods that surround my house. I
feel the trees swaying, birds and squirrels playing. Reading her poems were
like that, inspiring, heart felt and full of wonder. An emotional experience.
***** Ey Wade
***** Ey Wade
Life flows through Vickie’s words. Each haiku is a novel,
a story within itself. Vickie’s words are picturesque. I could ‘feel’ the rain
as it fell on the leaves and remember how green smells when the rain touches
the earth. Thanks to her easy way of writing, I think I may try more poetry.
***** AE Drury
I’ve read some of Ms. Johnstone’s poetry before and this
collection is something of a departure from those which I have read. It is a
bit more mature and yet it possesses the same grounded kindness which has made
her a much beloved writer of young adult fiction. There are bits of sad reality
mixed in with joyful beauty to form little threads of reflections on life. Some
of them I found profoundly and beautifully sad. My favourite of those was, “She
laughs so seldom, Cries when no one is looking, Keeps herself hidden.” This is
both a heartbreaking image that provokes parental feelings in the reader and at
the same time demonstrates an empowering honesty that I found quite touching. As
in life, there are humorous moments. My favourite of the entire collection is
one which I wish I had written and certainly felt on many an occasion. “He
holds the wide stage, Empty and bereft of sound, hypnotizing him.” Anyone who
has walked out upon a stage as been in this moment. I spent the morning with these poems, reading, clipping and reflecting. I find
them wonderful little treasure and am happy to have them in my library, there
for when I need to summon an image for comfort or inspiration.
Reviews of Travelling Light
***** Exan
A wonderful book of poetry that begs for your examination of your own experiences. It reminds one of days and times lost only to memories, that often get shoved to the back of our minds. It reminds us that memories are the links to today and that without them, everything would be different, I would love to explore this poetry with a group. A wonderfully thought provoking book.
***** AE Drury
I love the images and occasional bits of humour which are mixed in with deeper thoughts about the passage of time and the rhythms of life. I especially liked the poem Hey Little Girl for its introspection and observational wit. Short enough to spend an enjoyable hour, yet many of the works, like The Writer, are worth several visits. Like favorite songs, they stand up well to several visits as the meaning deepens with each reading.
***** E Meyer
I have to say that I enjoyed this collection; Miss Johnstone has a good grasp of the medium and manages to create some interesting imagery. I'm not the biggest poetry fan, especially if it isn't Coleridge, Byron or Longfellow, but these are satisfying poems. Definitely worth a read!
***** Ann
Really enjoyed taking some time out to read this poetry book, thoroughly enjoyed nearly all of the poems contained in the book. Will be checking out the author’s other books.
**** Jasonlive
I liked the style. The style is sometimes humorous, sentimental. Poems fun to read,and I am not bored by reading it. I highly recommend it.
***** Rhonda
It was truly a beautiful collection... I am glad that I selected it, as it has been a long time since I have read such a fine elegant book.
**** Chaviebugsy
I do not like poetry and I did not know this was a book of poems but it was very relaxing to read. Vickie Johnstone seems to have a knack for calming down her readers with words that can touch the heart and soul. If you wish to rediscover and enjoy LIGHT and calming poetry, read this book. So zen, almost magical and is a testament to how words can calm and touch the heart.
***** Matt
I loved them and it inspired me to write my own. I think I will be releasing a book pretty soon now.
***** Honeybee
These poems are nice and a good for easy reading. I enjoy reading on my kindle and this is quick and easy to grab.
***** Rebecca Johnson
The poems in this book are really about shutting the door on your past and traveling into the future. I was struck by the beauty of these poems. They are a dance of playful and profound. There are captivating images of an apple tree, the red of a rose petal, the pale blue skies and neon lights. These are poems that are best appreciated if you read them twice. This is quite a short book of poems but the poems are very meaningful.
Sample poems from Kaleidoscope
Rain
She sits and dreams of making rain
in the dark, shadows dancing mimic
colours of the aghast.
Sights and sounds and murmurs,
still breathing,
watching over the edge
of everything.
The glass splinters into a million shapes
cast in a myriad of lights
bright and sparkling, dancing
in the spring sun,
and she dreams of making rain
that tears and crashes,
washing away the shards of glass,
splattering the colours rent
with droplets of ice-cold nothing,
cuts and caresses,
spikes of grass peeking through
clouds gathering
dust.
in the dark, shadows dancing mimic
colours of the aghast.
Sights and sounds and murmurs,
still breathing,
watching over the edge
of everything.
The glass splinters into a million shapes
cast in a myriad of lights
bright and sparkling, dancing
in the spring sun,
and she dreams of making rain
that tears and crashes,
washing away the shards of glass,
splattering the colours rent
with droplets of ice-cold nothing,
cuts and caresses,
spikes of grass peeking through
clouds gathering
dust.
Moon beams
Distancing the days
in her fragile accolade,
the moon reaches down
towards coloured boats bobbing.
Twinkling, she shines,
lighting the way
for every stranger passing
and old friends returning.
She travels the skies
in a silvery glide,
always remembering
the shortness of time.
in her fragile accolade,
the moon reaches down
towards coloured boats bobbing.
Twinkling, she shines,
lighting the way
for every stranger passing
and old friends returning.
She travels the skies
in a silvery glide,
always remembering
the shortness of time.
I don’t mind
I don’t mind
if you stare
or paint the room in blue
while I sleep
if you stare
or paint the room in blue
while I sleep
I don’t mind
if you walk a while
or smile in your style
and mimic your expression
if you walk a while
or smile in your style
and mimic your expression
I don’t mind
if the urge to be is too much
or the strength to see is gone
while I dream
if the urge to be is too much
or the strength to see is gone
while I dream
The fox and the mole
“Let’s rob a bank,”
said the fox to the mole.
“I’ve got mouths to feed
and I’m feeling the need.”
“Okay,” said the mole,
“but you know I can’t see.
I can burrow real deep
though I might fall asleep.”
“Well,” said the fox,
“I can offer my cunning.
I will find a way inside
and to you I’ll confide.”
“Wake me up,” said the mole,
“when you discover this,
because I’ve got a hunch
we’re in a credit crunch.”
So the fox went off thinking
how to rob the posh bank
and came up with a plan
while eating a cherry flan.
“Well then,” asked the mole,
“what do you suggest we do
to steal all this money,
but not do anything funny?”
“Aha,” said the fox, grinning,
“I’ll tell you what to do –
just burrow under the bank
while I drive up in a tank!”
“Oh,” said the mole, frowning,
“I’d never have thought of that.
I didn’t know foxes could drive –
have you told this to your wife?”
“No, we must keep this secret,”
said the fox to the mole,
“as she’ll have my guts for garters,
and that’s just for starters.”
and that’s just for starters.”
So off went the fox and the mole
to start their bank-robbing life.
Living it up, the law they defied,
rivalling even Bonny and Clyde.
Sample poems from Life's Rhythms
Rain fallen like stars
sprinkles silver-like touches,
dancing beside me.
Some distant day she’ll
return when she sees beauty
in a rainbow sing.
Under sparkling stars
she laughs like water cascades,
rippling endlessly.
Raspberries blood-red
ripe, soft and so succulent.
Chilled ice-cream slithers.
Eyes turn to the sun,
river of blue-black shimmers
on peacock feathers.
Leaves hurtle, twisting,
dropping without an echo –
curved, their hands open.
Sample poem from Ink
Wild horses
She sees horses in the streets,
tearing down the tarmac,
silvery manes of flowing water
twisting in the wind’s hands.
Pale white streaks of ghosts
leaving translucent trails of light,
black eyes glistening, nostrils
flared, silent in their insistency.
They say the fields are full of
bodies, buried during the war,
but all she can see are the horses,
hooves pounding the ground.
Beautiful wild beasts racing
without a care in the world,
unreflected in windows.
How they run.
Sample poem from Woman
Ring the alarm
Flag that car for a lift,
and you might not get very far.
Walk the streets late at night,
be careful where you are.
Ride a bike, so then drive slow,
or you might not make it home.
Fly a plane, check the seat,
be sure to sit right by the exit.
Stay in a hotel, look at the number,
ensure it doesn’t say thirteen.
Buy a lock, buy an alarm, buy a dog,
buy a gun, buy a knife, learn to run,
learn to fight, check for streetlights,
check behind you, check in front.
Don’t get the nightbus,
do get the nightbus.
Don’t walk,
walk.
Don’t, don’t, don’t…
Just stay home.
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