I have written about many subjects that relate to specific things in the past, however this book has a mixture of everything, I take my note book everywhere I go and I write when I'm there, this book is simply that, my note book of poems and bits of paper I've written poems on are here. Hence the title 'Scattered Parchment'.

These books are a study into the idea of setting poetry free as it was once as I see it, intended to be. Licentia Vatum being the meaning and in some respects the reason as opposed to the excuse.

'Words To Dates' is a compilation of my four poetry titles; 'The Poet Tree' 'Temples Of The Painted Mind' 'Whispering Ink Song' and 'Scattered Parchment'. It's been quite a journey, when I started writing these books my life was not what it is now, the art work and poems inside reflect the changes along the way, both good and bad, both of which go to make us who we are as people. I hope you enjoy reading the book and looking at the art work as much as I enjoyed the creative process. 'Peace In All'

T his is a book of animal poems from the perspective of myself and my Labrador, some are funny, some are serious, but they all have one thing in common; the magnificent wildlife that is all around us.

This is a book of eyes once closed being opened. I wrote these poems in the hope that one day those who read them would find answers to questions I once asked myself, I wrote them for people to read when they need to know they are not alone in their thoughts, experiences or feelings. Some of these poems are flights of fancy, some are taken from personal experience, some are specific to certain emotions written when the spoken word was too painful or simply too hard to just let out... they are all taken from the world around me. These words vary in their emotional content, I drew some from the dark places where our subconscious slowly works through the things life has thrown our way, others are taken from sunny days in the country or by the sea, when our hearts are overflowing with joy, as many are taken from the places in between these two states of mind. For the people who love the world of fantasy I have taken inspiration from my dreams, wrapping the threads of our sleeping minds around the waking world, there are even some poems that bring the world of art, science, mythology and fantasy together. Whoever you are and wherever you're from I guarantee there is something in here for you and hopefully when you've read these poems you'll have something for those around you.

This book is an exploration of the things that make us think, from the day to day happenings around us, to the larger issues that play on the mind without us even really knowing. It is also about the thought process itself, the comical sights and sounds that make us smile about the small things, the problems we face, and the higher places of the mind's freedom where all of these things are put into perspective. I always find that painting and sketching helps me think with clarity too, so I have put six of the paintings or drawings I was doing at the time of writing these poems in as well to shed some visual light on some of the points I have mentioned, and because, well, I thought you might like them. I hope you enjoy the book. D.N. Read