Thursday 23 July 2026
Once in a Blue Moon: Creations from the Age Uk event
On 31 May 2026, beneath a rare Blue Moon, we gathered for a day of creativity, conversation and connection. Led by artist Abigail Hunt and supported by members of Age UK Richmond who helped co-create All the Things, participants explored ideas through writing, making and shared discussion. The poems and reflections below capture some of the thoughts, memories and imaginative moments that emerged during the workshop.
The Blue Moon by Jason Baker
The blue moon;
two moons in one month,
but no howling wolfs.
A place for meeting
lovely new people,
a place called
The blue moon.
New starts;
taking deep breaths
a group to make friends.
Iffing and butting
wondering whether I should go,
a decision
“YES”
I’m going to give it a go.
Arrival:
People nice and friendly,
everyone
feeling welcomed.
A place I think I will definitely like;
don’t be afraid,
there are no wolfs
of the blue moon,
no wolfs
at
the blue moon group.
Blue Moon
Blue Moon has taken my breath away
The support is absolutely mind blowing
Dawn Team Work is a burglar stage breather.
May Mead Moon by Jenny Shalom
The mead moon is full of fun
scampering through the heavens on a bun
jumping, leaping, over sparkling stars
Belly full of joyful life
emitted through his bright light
Happiness for us to share
laugh and play throughout the day
One day.
Two weeks.
Five months.
One year
and
many, many
more.
One sunset,
two blue moons.
One planet
giving life
plants
with beautiful
Colours
One start
new people
each time
getting
better and better
BLUE
A Blue moon shines,
as it circles the
smile of the
Blue moon group.
Everyone
with a slight
nervousness
in a room
that may be dark
in one mind.
A Blue moon:
the second one
twin to its brother
that shined bright
a few weeks before.
The room in old stables,
a scent of
mindfulness.
People shy,
trying
is all you can do.
The blue moon shines
open to all.
The blue moon glows
with
Heartfulness.
Today was a very spcial day. For the first time in a long time, there was a blue moon tonight – the second full moon of the month. But today was also special for many other reasons. My football team had just won promotion to the Premier League – go the blues!! – and it was also my grandson’s 2nd birthday. And the tenth anniversary of my mother’s death…
So many happy memories … and hopes for the future.
Expression
The expression changed to one of complete astonishment and disbelief. She was walking through the copse back to the holiday log cabin by the side of the lock, her faithful Golden Setter padding softly beside her.
It was a warm evening in May, and she had tended the cabin for a week for peace and solitude to write the final chapters of her latest novel.
It was the moon – huge, magically shimmering blue in the midnight sky.
Unbelievably beautiful casting, blue shadows and shapes on the silent dark water of the lock. An owl hooted, her dog stood still as though to also take in the beauty of the scene.
“Blue moon, I saw you standing alone”, the words of the old song her father used to sing rang in her ears.
‘Once in a blue moon’
we are born
we breathe
we live
‘All the things’ we do
are given t us if we
could but see it
in our often shuttered hearts.
You saw me through the trees
in the earth in the bees, bugs
rivers fungi birds animals
flowers “you saw me standing there.”
‘Twenty worlds away’ the
majestic blue moon in Scorpio
rises above the green planet
a large, orange, hanging.
Anonymous.
Dear Blue Moon,
I wonder how many notice you? Quietly up in the sky appearing twice in one month. What an overcompensator?! Puts the rest of us to shame? Hmm, maybe not. I just sit here on a quiet evening admiring your presence. I thank you for giving me the space and quiet to see beyond everyday chores and admin of life. I wonder what you think, if you were to think – the comings and goings of these tiny human ants scurrying around. Do you wonder why we are always in a rush? Do you even care? Are you compassionate and thoughtful or disinterested in our everyday goings on. Thank you for giving me this time.
As I sip my wine, I look at you through my glass. How funny you look through a different prism stretched and wonky. Perhaps you see me like that? How wonderful you are.
Thank you for giving me this time. To pause and reflect is a privilege and I do wonder what do I have next? A meeting, school drop off, dog walk, make dinner. Perhaps instead I could call a friend and book a show. That brings a cheer to my soul. Thank you for giving me this time.
Much love,
An admirer.
