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Once in a Blue Moon: Creations from the Age UK event

Abstract blue image

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. 

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