Cheryl Ann Boot and fellow members of Walsall Writers Circle performed at Wolverhampton Literature Festival on Sunday 2nd February 2025 as part of the annual event celebrating Literature and spoken word.

The topic was ‘Take the stage’, Cheryl took to the stage and performed two pieces of work. The first looked at soulmates and how powerful this embrace is within our lives. The experience is a deep and personal one and through poetic words, the audience was able to capture an understanding of soulmates.

Cheryl said “I was so proud to once again, be part of the Literature Festival with Walsall Writers Circle. The talent in the group was wonderful to see. There were stories, performances with song and poetry which certainly allowed us to ‘Take the Stage’.

                                        Soulmate

Have you ever had a soulmate? But not the ‘common’ kind.
The type of connection that won’t ever break, nor ever leave your mind.

I didn’t believe it, once upon a time. Thinking it was just a fairy tale.
The kind found in fiction books, made up, considered with no avail.

Suddenly, one day, a few years ago now. My belief in soulmates changed.
It was a force, I felt, of some weird kind, making me realise, this meeting was already arranged.

As if we’ve been here before, but not deja vu, rather, your soul is linked to mine.
Naturally we bonded, over many common themes increasing over time.

I cherished every moment we had, not a day goes by that you’re not on my mind.
I wonder, if, one day, you’ll return to me so I won’t have to keep pressing rewind.

On the memories we made, the times we shared and how I wish we could replay.
To start again from where we finished because there are things I never got to say.

Including how much you mean to me and how my heart collapsed when you just left and never even said goodbye.
I was angry for a while, couldn’t figure it out, like I was born with wings but couldn’t ever fly.

Filled with racing memories, of the things I can’t think of, that I ever did wrong, accompanied by many sleepless nights.
The darkness, a clouded mind and an emptiness within my heart, to get over you, I had to fight.

And, I did, to some extent, I acquired a life for me.
I tried so hard, numbing pills to ease the pain, I did fairly well, I think you can see.

I’ve acquired a newness about me. A greater version of me, but there is one little part that will always be true.
And I don’t know if you feel it too, but I’m still in love with you.

                                           Jigsaw puzzle

You could count a thousand pieces within a wooden box.
When placed together intricately, a picture interlocks.
Each piece is made compatible, destined to be complete. Even when dismantled, it’s whole, without defeat.
Put back together, once more, just as life should be. Displayed, this time, permanently, upon the mantelpiece.
If only my heart was as simple. As that jigsaw puzzle.