Beyond the Parasol

<P>The poems contained within <b>Beyond the Parasol</b> were all written in the period between September 2003 and May 2004. Originally I didn't intend to publish them; mainly because of their autobiographical nature (particularly the ones from 'Ten Minutes Only.') However the book quickly seemed to shape itself and I thought I'd share the collection with a wider audience.<P>The symbols and images I use tend to harness nature the sea and observations of everyday people. I have tried to allow each poem to live in its language using the imagery as a starting point. <P>The title poem opens with a series of pictures which expand as the poem develops until it disappears into its final line:<P><i>'Beyond. Beyond the parasol'.</i><P>This line sets the scene for the entire collection. Mysteriously absorbing it reminds us that there is a lot to be discovered in the changing world beyond the four walls we may live in - or in the case of this poem beyond the parasol in my own East-End back garden.<P>My hope with this book is that it will be enjoyed and understood by the reader at whatever level. Much contemporary poetry can be pretentious and superficial. I believe this is not the case with this collection. I would like to think that the reader is taken on a journey around the many different aspects of life explored here. <P>The poems are not just full of meaning. They are being themselves.