Poetry

I write primarily in Haiku and Senryu, with a few exceptions below. My poems are published in journals, books and Haiku anthologies. A selection can be found online at the National Poetry Library.

often I stop, and look back

My book of Haiku poetry was published in 2024. The book is a narrative to the changing seasons and my changing mind. Sixty of my favourite Haiku.

Druid Blessing

May the warmth of the sun, nurture you;
The cool waters, cleanse you;
Nature’s bounty, replenish you;
The song of the trees, comfort you;
The knowledge of the bees, guide you.

Cernunnos, the Horned God

Chieftain of the forest spirits;
Guardian of wild animals;
the Tree Shepherd;
Master of the House, underneath.
He comforts souls, on their journey to The Otherworld.

Oak, Man

twig, leaf, acorn;
chlorophyll flows
root, branch

twig, leaf, acorn;
hardened skin
cracked, misshapen

twig, leaf, acorn;
cellulose heart
oak, man

Green Man – Summer

enveloped in green
stone face; a place of worship
none to venerate

Green Man – Winter

in his winter gown
guardian of the wild wood
is frozen in time

Green Man – Autumn

woodland guardian
clothed in an autumnal hue
the turning season

Oak King and Beech Queen

In Druid mythology, during the summer months, oak leaves whisper the secrets of the Druids.

upon autumn leaves
the Oak King and Beech Queen play
forbidden music

Halloween Haiku

in autumn twilight
playful bats; shadows on stone
inhabit graveyard

Ode to the rabbit

I found a young rabbit, recently deceased on a quiet country road. I removed and buried it in a nearby wood, and wrote this as its epitaph:

on the road, alone

heartbeat, shallows
chill, enveloped
daylight, fades

life ends, rabbit
on the road, alone