Bio

Following my retirement I embarked on a BA (Hons) degree with the Open University (UK). The first two modules were Creative Writing which sparked my interest in writing poetry. I joined a local writing group and one of the members introduced me to Fibonacci poetry. I like the challenge of writing in form and having to marry what you want to say with the best way to say it. This year one of my poems, Craiglockhart (a sonnet) was commended in the Vernal Equinox competition of the Federation of Scottish Writers and another poem was placed second in the Writer of the Year Competition of Tyne & Esk Writers.

Ah
glove –
hiding?
but still pink –
how did you escape?
did your right hand abandon you?
I guess I should say sorry but I don't want pink gloves
I want racy, lacy, leather,
see-through and blatant
frivolous
sexy
black
gloves

Pink
looks
pretty,
they tell me,
adds a touch of froth –
but I don't like capuccino.
I long for aromatic, freshly ground espresso
thickly black as liquid leather
can you imagine
Marlena
in pink
at
all?

So
glove
you see
that is why
I threw you away
you are not for me now I'm old
I desire black, burgundy or cerulean blue
carnelian or celadon
dragon's blood or gold
but never
a drunk
tank
pink