Special Days: National Handwriting Day 2013

Writers often have a favourite pen. These days it is possible to purchase a poetic pen.

Thanks to Sarah James, I discovered that today is National Handwriting Day, so I am posting a sample from my childhood poem, Koala Bear, which I read out recently (along with more contemporary work from The Holy Place) on the Friday Breakfast Show on Ipswich Community Radio.

John Hancock, the first person to sign the American Declaration of Independence, was born on 23 January 1737. A year ago almost to the day, David and I found ourselves in Philadelphia in the historic area around the Independence Center and the Liberty Bell (and if it looks cold, it was ... bitter!).

Published Poetry: The Ghazal Page, Ekphrastic Issue

Happy New Year!

Philadelphia, January 2012

It seems strange to think that almost exactly a year ago I was having a wonderful picnic lunch here by the ships along the historic waterside in Philadelphia.

This year I am at home in Suffolk, UK, enjoying photographs like this one that conjure up memories.

Speaking of prompts and links, I am delighted to have an illustrated Tercet Ghazal, 'Coat Collage', up on The Ghazal Page in editor, Gene Doty's ekphrastic issue.

You will find the issue here, along with my poem and artwork. Ekphrasis is a subject that continues to fascinate me. You will find a previous post on the subject here.

Be sure to read the ekphrastic poems by the other contributors, including Kay Weeks, who sometimes comments on this blog. David and I met Kay in Philadelphia just a year ago!