Younger

I first wrote poetry at school, and enjoyed the outlet for my feelings and my attempts at humour. I relished the process of creating and for the same reason, I have kept a journal since I was in my teens. 

I loved stories like "The Princess and the Pea" because I could relate to something minute being a massive distraction and discomfort to me, whether it be physical or mental. When I heard Pam Ayres reading “Oh I wish I’d looked after me teeth” I loved the humour of it. 

Reading each poem back brings me back to that moment in time when I was feeling a big emotion. My creative abilities didn't really extend to music, but finding a way to turn my thoughts into poetry allowed me to roll a concept or a huge feeling around and try to understand it wholly.

Some of my favourite poems when I was young included things my Dad would read to me when I was little - and the ones he liked tended to be amusing or whimsical...

The Common Cormorant or shag
Lays eggs inside a paper bag.
The reason you will see no doubt
It is to keep the lightning out.
But what these unobservant birds
Have never noticed is that herds
Of wandering bears may come with buns
And steal the bags to hold the crumbs

by Christopher Isherwood (1925)