AN Erskine woman who used the power of poetry to banish the lockdown blues has told of her delight after her work was included in a new book.

Rosina McGeady, 29, turned to writing in order to boost her mental health during the coronavirus pandemic.

She penned a poem titled ‘Manifesto for Letting Go,’ which explores her efforts to remain positive at a time when lockdown restrictions are proving difficult for many people to cope with.

And Rosina was thrilled when she learned it had been chosen for publication in a new collection of poems compiled by writers’ group The Scribbler’s Union.

She told The Gazette: “I’m excited and a little bit shocked. I’m very new to poetry and, a few months ago, I didn’t have the slightest idea that I could have a poem published.
“I’m very grateful to The Scribbler’s Union for this experience.”

Rosina, who is a support worker, was living in the Netherlands recently but decided to return to Renfrewshire so she could be closer to her family.

She took up poetry to pass the time during lockdown and sent some of her work to a friend, who recommended joining The Scribbler’s Union, which was launched by award-winning Glasgow author Kevin P. Gilday last year to offer fellow writers the chance to share their talent with other like-minded people.

Rosina, who is a former pupil of Trinity High School, in Renfrew, said: “I had been sending little bits to my friend Lauren, who had been writing poetry for a while.

“She said I would benefit from this fantastic group that she was a part of. It’s a nice way to communicate with people during lockdown and you can grow and develop your poetry.

“I thought this was a nice way to get involved in something when I moved back to Scotland.”

Rosina admits penning Manifesto for Letting Go was a cathartic experience and she believes her words are something everyone can relate to.

“It came out as a poem about my mental health, which is something I think we’re all dealing with during this lockdown,” she said.

“I made this manifesto for letting go. It’s about being able to feel and experience your thoughts and emotions but not to get lost in them.

“One part is about how my thoughts can come like snow, they can drift on a mountain but I won’t be taken over by the avalanche. The whole experience has felt therapeutic, to be able to get stuff out on paper during the pandemic.”

The Scribbler’s Union: Vol. 1 is available on Amazon, priced at £10.