Category: writing

Poetry & Verse, writingLeave a comment

The Last Day of Summer

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I wrote a poem in 2016 following a work visit to a customer’s home in south Wales. On my return journey I couldn’t resist a stop in the village of Tintern on the banks of the river Wye – a time to pause and reflect. It was late September and a beautiful late summer/early autumn day. I breathed deeply, took a few photos and was inspired to write. I have made a few minor revisions and shared the poem below: The Last Day of Summer Was this the last day of summer? as I stood on the banks of the … Continue reading The Last Day of Summer

writing, StudyLeave a comment

Direction Changes

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It’s interesting. A chapter or a scene plan in my head, or even plotted in writing can change at the drop of a hat. Having just vomited 1000 drafted words of chapter 3, I find the quest group already coming apart at the seams – and I had not planned for that to happen. The sceptic of the group has decided that enough is enough and that he doesn’t want to be a part of the protagonist’s stupid game any longer! This is not what I, as the writer, envisaged. How dare one of my characters decide to go rogue … Continue reading Direction Changes

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Study Journey ~ The Road Ahead

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It began way back in 2019. And anything pre-covid feels even longer than seven years ago – it feels like a different century sometimes! But that is when my creative writing degree journey began. After being inspired, encouraged and supported by my wife I started an academic trip that I would never have thought possible for me, or even had the courage or the belief to undertake at any other point in my life. But now the final part of this long and arduous and sometimes seemingly endless, but extremely fulfilling journey is about to begin. This week I will … Continue reading Study Journey ~ The Road Ahead

Poetry & Verse, writingLeave a comment

Burning Eyes

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Eyes that burnt burnt for you burnt for me flames devoured everything emotions, dreams a vision of joy of someone given someone so special. Eyes seared with pain a blurred vision of an opaque appearance fleeting glimpses through falling droplets from a river of sadness. Those dreams melted faded away with the passing of time slipping slowly out of reach outstretched fingers frantically grasping for the life that would soon be a memory. Those eyes burned all hope diminished no lies told. The fire continued to flicker the flame will never dim the memories will forever glow in the embers … Continue reading Burning Eyes

Poetry & Verse, writingLeave a comment

Thought Garden

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In the haphazard garden, the confusing jungle of shapes, textures, aromas and images, thoughts drift, linger, and drift again. Like the cat, ginger and white fur prowling, slinking in and out, brushing through the undergrowth, until the seeds of delight are found, planted with a sigh, in the straight channels, of a freshly turned bed, and the page is printed. Inspired by the poem ​Thought Fox​ by Ted Hughes (1957) Continue reading Thought Garden

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N.H.S.

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I walked into the small pharmacy. An elderly man wearing khaki joggers and a big grey padded jacket was being served. He spoke kindly to the assistant wishing her a good day as he shuffled out of the door. Was this the only human contact he had that day? I asked for prescriptions for two people – myself and my wife. Two large bags of medication are brought to the counter and handed over. I showed my wife’s exemption card and left the shop with the meds. No fuss, no issues, no charge!  We are so fortunate in the UK … Continue reading N.H.S.

Poetry & Verse, writingLeave a comment

A Winter Walk Revisited…

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We were out on our daily thirty minute walk in the winter sunshine. The time of the afternoon we squinted, dazzled as we were heading into the low sun. But I would rather be blinded by the sun than to not see the blue sky or any brightness at all. There is a freshness to the air when the day is clear at this time of the year and it filled me with positivity and hope.  When the green is all around and blue high above I walk with a smile and the girl I love Dangling catkins, the first … Continue reading A Winter Walk Revisited…