Sandlines ( www.breakingnewground.org.uk ) operated a series of writers workshops in The Brecks, to promote the rich variety of landscape, fauna and flora that can be found in this special landscape. I took part in one, which was based in the BTO centre in Thetford, and led by Lois Williams and Melinda …
No explanation is needed for this Haiku, its all in the image. Wonder in a glass where do you enter delight the clean spoon hovers
A chance meeting gave me another dimension to our politicians’ crusade against welfare expenditure. PLEASE CLICK ON THE ARROW BUTTON ABOVE TO HEAR THIS POEM. I find it difficult to socialise when undressed. Body image, lack of calcium when very young, the dislike of goat’s milk curving …
I recently wrote this poem for my youngest son, Rupert. He sent me this photograph after riding to the top of one of the hills on the Sussex Downs. A Tanka is an extension to the 5-7– 5 syllables of the Haiku, with two final lines of 7 syllables each …
Poems were requested on the subject of ‘Renewal’ to be read at the recent Suffolk Poetry Society’s AGM. I wrote this poem for the event, but there were so many people wanting to read their work that I decided not to join the queue, and now show it here instead. …
Today I have had a new experience, which is always welcome at my age. I sat as a life model for a group of artists. The last time I had my image sketched was by a ten minute street artist in Beijing in 1996 (see image below). I am …
Jean and I were watching a murmuration of Starlings gather, about 6000 birds in two groups, when a Peregrine Falcon attacked the group I was videoing, first from the right, then from the left. The effect on the Starlings was amazing, and here is a Tanka to celebrate that moment. …
A walk in such a range of sunlight yesterday afternoon, when I was able to take some good photographs of Snipe feeding at the waters edge of Minsmere Mere. Here is a Haiku with two photographs to share the moment. Probe stiletto, probe, With soft tip like …
Geraldine Green (click here to visit her blog) led another workshop for an enthusiastic small group of poets on Shotley Peninsula in Suffolk last week. A stimulating annual event that we all now look forward to. The ‘Write on The Peninsula’ workshop was organised by Suffolk Poetry Society Chairman, Ian …
There is a steady number of people discovering in the later stage of their life that contact with asbestos at an earlier date can be long lasting. PLEASE CLICK ON THE ARROW BUTTON ABOVE TO HEAR THIS POEM A starved cur huddles in his lungs, motionless, but …
Christmas 1948…. I have been thinking about writing this poem for years, one of the sharpest memories from my childhood. Finally, I sat down this week, and it leapt onto the page. PLEASE CLICK ON THE ARROW BUTTON ABOVE TO HEAR THIS POEM Bright red tiles, arched around …
One of the most elusive birds in Botswana was perhaps the most colourful. For a moment one perched a considerable distance from me, and using a new camera, which was far more skilled than me, I managed to take the amazing photograph below. PLEASE CLICK ON THE ARROW BUTTON ABOVE …
This poem was written for the Waveney and Blyth Arts recent Poetry Competition, and was ‘Commended’. The subject set was to write about the area that the Rivers Waveney and Blyth flow through. I read it at a poetry evening in Diss Cornhall on October 9th. PLEASE CLICK ON …
Jean and I were in Falmouth, Cornwall for a few days. We were shown to a table for four in a restaurant and asked if we would mind sharing it, if required. We replied ‘No, we did not mind’. Part way through the first course a stranger, subsequently identifying himself …
A highlight of our visit to The Kalahari, an unexpected meeting in fading light, just after sun-set, seventy metres from our tent. PLEASE CLICK ON THE BUTTON ABOVE TO HEAR THIS POEM Deception Valley in the Central Kalahari, where we searched for you for hours amongst the desiccated …
Here is a thirty- one syllable Tanka straight from the Central Kalahari, inspired by that wonderful member of the Eagle family. The photos were taken with my birthday present from my wife. Some soar but I stride tirelessly in long black shorts quills behind my ears desiccation …
Have you ever been on a wonderful travel experience, where one or more of those taking part think that you are very fortunate to have them in the group? PLEASE CLICK ON THE ARROW BUTTON ABOVE TO HEAR THIS POEM How reassuring it must be believing your experience and …
A recent note from Geraldine Green reminded me to post another one of my poems that started in one of her dynamic workshops in January 2014, and was subsequently polished over a several months to result in this final version. PLEASE CLICK ON THE ARROW BUTTON ABOVE TO …
In the 1930’s the Pan Floor Manager was the most powerful man in the Home Grown Sugar (beet) factories, and a seven year apprenticeship had to be undertaken to learn how to boil sugar. That power had long gone in the 1960’s and it took me about a month to …
All poets sift their childhood for subject matter, and some experiences surface more readily than others. PLEASE CLICK ON THE ARROW BUTTON ABOVE TO HEAR THIS POEM It was winter, several weeks from his fifth birthday when his father left him at grandmother’s farm. No memory …
