All of a Sudden it's Summer again

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 High Tide

The fields are flooded with sunshine,

It swirls through parched corn,

Washes over dusty hedgerows,

Drenches weary trees,

Dripping into trembling shade.

A tide of heat drowns the land,

Every living thing submerged,

Slow and breathless in the golden ocean.

There is nothing to do but wait,

Wait for the tide turning,

And the slow ripples of night.


This is a summer poem really, but today was just like this. I took the photo a few weeks ago at the edge of a cornfield where the farmer hadn't sprayed, and it was filled with wild flowers and poppies. I didn't realise the hoverfly was there until I looked at the image later.

Sea Dogs. A Musical Experience.

 The Jolly Roger flew from the flagpole of St Asaph Cathedral to celebrate the first performance of
SEA DOGS - A PIRATE TAIL today. It was a real pleasure to perform my words with Gareth Wood's music  which is  for symphonic brass and percussion. Needless to say, the front couple of rows of children had their hands over their ears for the very loud bits!

As you can see, I looked rather fetching in my pirate outfit, surrounded by some villainous types.

Trouble with Squirrels

Do squirrels hibernate? I hope so. Did you know Squirrel Nutkin's brother was called Twinkleberry? Perhaps that's why they are so cross.

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nuts

 fixed with furious eyes

too angry to blink

straight backed

tail quivering with rage

screeching and screaming

before rushing away.

I’ve been threatened by three of them now

and in the same manner,

 one squirrel on a garden wall

 one on a forest branch

 one in the tree outside my room

Rehearsing for a World Premiere! Yo ho

The Jolly Roger will be flying over St Asaph Cathedral at 11am on 27th and 28th September 2011 for the first performances of Sea Dogs - a Pirate Tale, as part of the North Wales International Music Festival.

It's a piece for narrator, symphonic brass and timpani. It was commissioned by Ty Cerdd. I wrote the words and am going to narrate, and Gareth Wood wrote the music.

 The Cathedral will be filled with children, I think they're all going to be dressed as pirates, along with the musicians and myself. It's going to be noisy, shipmates, and huge fun. 

I can't think of anything better as a writer than to perform my words to wonderful music before a large audience of over excited children!

I am going to a rehearsal on Sunday, but have been rehearsing at home, and also making myself a costume, and a pirate tote bag to carry my score.

International Talk Like A Pirate Day

Ahoy shipmates - Tis International Talk Like a Pirate Day. I will be celebrating by wearing a banana round my neck, as I don't have a bandana. It's a little early to have a tot of rum, so I thought I'd have a bagel and some fruit instead. Anchors aweigh.

A Very Brief Extract From my Romantic Novel!

                             He edged a trifle closer

Riding with Swallows

I was riding round a huge stubble field this morning, and as we trotted along the long hedge, we were joined by three swallows. They swooped low around Thomas's legs, and in front of him, looping round and back, with a little flip of wings and an occasional chirp. Thomas wasn't afraid of them, even when one swooped beneath him. I could look down on their backs, and clearly see shining dark blue feathers, and the very compact shape of shoulders and wings. They flew with us twice round the field, even when we cantered. When I walked Thomas at the end so he could stretch his neck and cool down before we returned to the yard, the swallows swished round us once more and then up and away. I thought of the journey the swallows will soon start, and how my horse and I, and the big field, will still be here when they return in the spring.

wet through

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 raindrops

what if they were words,

vocabulary from clouds

soaking your skin,

sliding off your coat as it dried,

whispering onto the kitchen floor,

 there’s still a few stuck

in the seal of the fridge door.

a storm might bring you

a whole story,

beginning middle end

if you stood and waited,

     imagine 

                          uncertain

  I feel as

                    happily ever

                                        omelette