ADVICE FROM A STRANGER

<p><strong>I asked 70 strangers 'Please give me a piece of life advice.' I used their responses as inspiration to write my next poem. This poetry collection is the result.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>The youngest stranger I asked was six years old. The oldest stranger was eighty-something.</p><p><br></p><p>Some were asked in the queue at the supermarket or the post office. One time I asked the waiter at a restaurant. I also asked Joanne who was trying to sell me car insurance over the phone.</p><p><br></p><p>My favourite? It's hard to choose. Don't tie your shoelace in a revolving door said by a chap called Russell was a corker.</p><p>Spend time with the people you love said Nicole aged nine on a particular day when I was feeling alone really pulled on my heart strings.</p><p>And then 'Make every day count' said Matt was a particular fond memory. I met this stranger by chance in a woodland car park. It was a cold winter's day and I had been for a run in the woods. Caked in mud I arrived back at the car park only to find I had somehow locked my car keys in the car. He was an incredibly kind man and he drove me to my house and back to get my spare keys. </p><p><br></p><p>During the car journey with conversation flowing of course I had to ask him for his life advice.  </p><p><br></p><p>When I was younger I was told 'don't talk to strangers.' </p><p>Good advice. </p><p>But on this occasion I am so glad I did.</p><p><br></p>