My Poetry
Writersblocky
With apologies to Lewis Carroll. This was written for a Ripon Writers’ Group parody evening.
The Scapegoat
Most writers will be able to relate to this!
A Christmas Limerick for Our Times
Watch out, Santa!
Duetti d’amore
This poem was inspired by a salotto musicale we attended at Palazzo Barbarigo-Minotto, Venice, in October 2008.
Red kites over Eccup reservoir
A persecuted bird asks only to be left in peace
The Hippy’s Lament
Once a hippy, always a hippy at heart, I wrote this for a Ripon Writers’ Group parody evening. Apologies to Lewis Carroll. Versions of the poem have been featured in The Anthology of Great Writing and it can still be heard in the archives of the now sadly defunct Radio Ryedale.
Elegy Written In Ripon Market Place
I wrote this reproach to litter louts in our little city for a parody evening at Ripon Writers’ Group. Apologies to Thomas Gray. The poem has appeared in the Ripon Gazette.
Diary Of A Nobody Who Thinks He’s a Somebody
I wrote this in response to a challenge set by Ripon Writers’ Group to subvert the message of a popular song. Apologies to Gilbert & Sullivan.
To My Writing Partner
The 2006 Writers’ News Poetry Competition set the task of writing a sonnet on friendship. Winning first prize, including a sponsored week at the Writers’ Summer School, was the highlight of my writing year. Alison Chisholm’s adjudication can be read on the Swanwick competitions page.