Before the Drawbridge Closed

It started with music. I wanted to be a composer with influences ranging from Frank Zappa and Conlon Nancarrow, right through to contemporary and old music for church organ (Messiaen and Bach). I self-released three mini-CDs of my music, although with my ideas being too complex for my limited skills, I drifted into art and then poetry.

These poems are contentious to me. Self-indulgent to some, and hopefully insightful to others. Family and friends endorsed my feelings, and now we have a book!

Vulnerable to criticism, good or bad, I feel there is enough honesty in the pages within to validate its existence.

Ramblings of a Free Man

Perhaps all lives start as a well-constructed novel. A series of vignettes follow, some comedic, some mired in tragedy. Sometimes we try to shape our destiny, other times it shapes us.

Suddenly in the blink of an eye, we enter the final run-in. For me, this late freedom is best served by poetry, life’s essence distilled. Holding close to family and friends and showing kindness to strangers and those in need.

Observing at leisure the many human aspects of Britain, Europe and latterly India has sparked a rekindling of the freedoms and insights that can come with age. The many experiences we have stored away in our busy lives can come tumbling out.

Appealing to all ages, anyone who has marvelled at the depth, complexity commonality and diversity of our fellow humans can accompany me on this journey.

Feel free to join me at any time.

These poems are the continuation of that journey.

If Cows Could Sing

Ever heard a cow sing, or seen a three-legged pink flying sheep? Or wondered how a mighty oak tree, could ever have been a tiny trembling acorn? Well, welcome to a world where your fantasy and imagination can bring them all to life.

The Polish Neighbours

Reading Dad’s poetry is like taking a walk through his life. It is easy to see there are demons, but there is beauty and love too. Beauty in memories of greyhounds, raging fires, the plight of Indigenous people, the complexities of religious beliefs, and recognising the power of other people’s life stories.

I remember sitting in the back seat of his car, listening to him speak of Shakespeare and reciting sonnets verbatim. He spoke of Keats and Eliot, of Yeats and Poe, and Yevtushenko and I did my best to comprehend the images of tragedy, love and loss. And now, many years later, when I read Dad’s words, I think I understand them.

I Didn’t Use to Be Like This

The adage that life is more about the journey than the destination carries profound significance, especially considering that life’s ultimate destination is death. This sentiment, though bordering on cliché, is rich with meaning and potential.

I Didn’t Used to Be Like This invites readers on an extraordinary journey, one that aims to deepen our appreciation of life’s fragility and our inextricable connection to it.

This book is a tapestry woven from diverse threads – from stirring poems of protest to poignant personal narratives and reflections on those elements that spark the greatest of human responses: wonder.

Each piece is crafted from a highly distinctive perspective, yet resonates with the universal aspects of our shared human experience.

Themes of pain, heartache, and loss are intricately interlaced with hope, redemption, and the essence of humanity, painting a vivid portrait of the author’s daily thoughts and life’s challenges. While our experiences may differ, this book beautifully underscores the undeniable truth that, in the grand tapestry of life and mortality, we have much in common.

Quick, Where's The Exit?

E shares a deeply personal account of her experiences with trauma, the reactions to her disclosures, and her diagnosis of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder. She invites readers on a turbulent yet hopeful journey through her recovery. Her unique writing style, characterized by minimal punctuation, allows readers to interpret and experience each poem in their own way. With a powerful ability to evoke strong emotions, her poems come with a trigger warning.

Outrageous Rhymes

Outrageous Rhymes sparkles with funny observations and characters. Like a pig who becomes an interior designer or an elephant, whose desperation for a friend unravels into her becoming a killing machine – accidentally of course! It brings amusement to everyday schooling, suggesting homework contravenes the Child Protection Act and makes slightly naughty comments about family, teachers and everyday chores.

The rhymes reinvent some classic stories like Cinderella and Pinocchio with amusing observations of the characters, their flaws and their journey through the tale. Almost incontinent grandparents are given their moment in the limelight and Goldilocks does not fare well in being a kind and caring child. Morals may have conveniently been forgotten by some of the characters who you (and your parents) can judge at your leisure.

The Future

In this captivating collection, a seasoned poet with over nine decades of life experience invites readers on a lyrical journey through the passions that have coloured his world. With a voice honed by years of observation and introspection, he paints vivid word-pictures that bring to life the thundering hooves on the racetrack, the graceful arc of a diver’s plunge, and the roar of engines on the speedway.

But this is more than just a sports anthology. Drawing from a well of diverse interests, the poet serves up verses seasoned with culinary adventures, musical interludes, and the thrill of intellectual pursuits. Each poem is a window into a life richly lived, offering readers a unique perspective on the human experience.

Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, a lover of life’s finer pleasures, or simply someone who appreciates the wisdom that comes with age, this collection promises to entertain, inspire, and provoke thought. Join this passionate wordsmith as he shares the accumulated insights of a lifetime, proving that the fire of creativity burns bright at any age.

The Words Behind the Music Volume One: Lost in Reality

In the beginning when things are simple, and they’re done just for fun
The enjoyment’s there, you haven’t a care, but then what becomes?

The better you get, you may regret, in a later time
When money gets the better of pleasure and the fun then declines.

Enter the Darkness

Enter the Darkness is a collection of poetry documenting the feelings and experiences of the author over time.

The poetry within is relatable and is guaranteed to make the reader connect with the experiences and feel what the writer was feeling.

My Dreams and Themes

Andrea Wilkin, a distinguished retired couturier, ventures into the world of literature with a heartfelt collection of poetry. From fanciful verses about hippos, owls, and imaginative creatures to poignant poems on love, loss, and the changing seasons, Wilkin’s poems offer whimsy and wisdom in equal measure.This anthology, inspired by personal experiences and a vivid imagination, invites readers on a journey through the joys, sorrows, and wonders of life, offering a reflection on the beauty of the world through poetic narratives. From the powerful bond between sisters to the joys of motherhood, the wonderful and weird friends who keep you going to the ethereal beauty of winter, each poem, adorned with illustrations by Rachel Chaplin, becomes a window into the soulful contemplation of existence, love, and the enduring spirit of adventure.

Secrets, Lies and Little Joys

Poetry is far more than it seems. Writing verse can provide a creative shorthand for working through dark thoughts, making sense of your emotions and behaviours, as well as those of others. Poetry offers a way to navigate the tangled maze of challenges, strife, and joys that constitute our inner worlds. It can also magnify life’s wonders, awe, and delight. These varied experiences – regret, mistakes, learning, stumbling, and persevering with bravery – all comprise a life fully lived. Writing poetry helps minimize the bad times and spotlight the good. Revisiting these poems allows for deeper reflection, enriching your life further. Secrets, Lies and Little Joys contains a sampling of my own poems and experiences, along with contextual commentary. In some cases, I provide explanation of the impetus behind the verse. It is my hope these poems find a shared recognition, a communal understanding that you are not alone, mad, or bad in your travels through life.