Can you remember the first poem you ever wrote?
It would be in school . . . senior school . . . a piece set by my very odd, powdered English teacher, Miss Hewitt. I plagiarised a King Crimson Track and got an "A" grade! But my first original poem would be about twelve years ago when I discovered the AOL poetry boards.
And how old you were when you wrote it?
So if I am twenty-one now . . . ahem . . . ok, ok . . . I would be somewhere in the forties . . . :)
And what it was about?
It was called "Man Of Many Colours", and it was an attempt to describe the many faces of folk. It was terrible!
Name a favourite poem or two . . .
That is a difficult one. There are so many good poems out there . . . and it depends on how I am feeling at the time.
. . . and a few of your favourite poets.
Billy Collins, Ted Hughes, Carol Ann Duffy, Lorca, Plath . . . Oh, wow, so many great poets!
Do you talk about poetry to your friends or is it a secret part of your life?
Yup . . . I am proud of poetry!
Do you write poetry for yourself, or for others, or for both?
In the first instance it has to feel right to me . . . but then I will perform my stuff. So for both, I guess.
Is it important to you if your poems get published or not?
When I do remember to submit a piece it is nice to have it published. Yes, I would like to think I have hit a nerve or rung a chord with another.
Do you think poetry is important in the global scale of things or just a pleasant, indulgent hobby like needlework or trainspotting?
Pleasant? Oh dear me! All those times I have stalled and racked my brains to get what I want from my words! Anything artistic is good in my book. By the way, I also crochet!
What does poetry really mean to you?
A very great deal . . . I cannot imagine the world without it.
Is poetry better than sex?
It is rather nice to be read to in bed!
