Poetry

I started writing poetry again in the winter of 2024 after the death of my mother and the departure of my partner of sixteen years. Without really thinking about it, I found myself writing the story of the breakup of my relationship. This acted like taking out a bung, and a great flood of poetry and stories followed.

I write from my heart, and it is as if these poems are pouring through me. They are, of course, on themes that are dear to me, many of which I have worked with for years. But often I write to sort something out inside myself, and it is not until I read the poem back that I really understand what it is about. In this way, my poetry teaches me. It is an extraordinary process, and I love it.

I have also been re-reading some old poetry that I have not looked at for years. I found that some of it fits with the themes I am writing about today, and shows very clearly where I have come from. I have included a few of these older poems in my second and third collections, Songs of Fulfilment (expected February 2026) and Songs of Forgiveness (expected June 2026). I recognise now that releasing my poetry into the world is part of the whole process, and I am committed to not putting any more poetry in drawers!

Poetry, whether writing it, reading it or speaking it, can be a balm to the soul and a medicine for the mind. When I allow my words to arrive from that deep place beyond conscious thought, that place we can all touch, they seem to resonate with others. Sharing our poems with each other, reading them in a group and working with the words and phrases we find difficult or awkward can be a beautiful tool to help free stuck energy and release what is held. I use this in my poetry and sound gatherings.