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.

Australia: A Miracle of Life

Australia: A Miracle of Life beckons you on a breathtaking expedition alongside Julie as she delves deep into the heart of this timeless and majestic terrain. Picture pristine beaches, winding rivers, rugged mountains, and lush forests that beckon with stories untold. Journey through vibrant cities, tranquil gardens, and quaint towns, immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of traditions and culture that define the Australian spirit. More than a travelogue, this is a poetic tribute to a land and its people. Let the magic of Australia captivate your soul!

Feelings

Feelings by David Peter Malin Maxfield is a poignant collection of poetry that delves deep into the human heart. Born in Tickhill, Yorkshire, in 1948, Maxfield brings a lifetime of experiences to his work, offering a rich tapestry of emotions that resonate with readers of all backgrounds. His poems traverse a wide range of themes, from tributes to beloved figures like Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth II, to reflections on nature, love, loss, and the human condition.

Through his verses, Maxfield explores life’s most profound moments, encapsulating the essence of joy, sorrow, hope, and despair with remarkable clarity and depth. His work serves as a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human spirit, making Feelings a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the emotional landscapes we all navigate. Whether it’s the raw emotion of ‘Suicide’ and ‘Lonely Heart’ or the uplifting spirit of ‘Spring Love’ and ‘First Christmas,’ each poem in this collection is a window into the soul, offering a unique perspective on life’s many facets. This book is a journey through the heart, crafted by a poet who writes with authenticity and passion.

The Journey

For Antonatie Jemwa, The Journey, “…depicts the reality of events that each individual can relate to; it points out to positivity in the grand experience of life as it unfolds each chapter, just as each season, in a lifetime.”

Informed by faith, the poems have a common theme of love, of how enhancing and revitalising it can be, and yet at the same time so fragile. Grouped under headings like ‘Family’, ‘Dreams’, ‘Character’ and ‘Gone’, Jemwa shines a light on our interactions with the world, both metaphysical and real, which make The Journey a lottery that perhaps can only find an understanding through faith.

The Journey is a meditation, a sensitive look at our condition through the instrument of poetry.