"Why do stories come into one's head, or odd names or first lines? Perhaps deep in the brain there is a part that makes things up and they occasionally pop out if the stimulus is right. If nothing else is occupying the mind then the idea can be developed. Most of my poems are written at one sitting, with later tweaks. I use the form to be able to be more adventurous with words and to use the end of lines and the beginning of new ones to highlight a word or re-enforce an idea. Inspiration comes from events or sights or just thoughts. Often one works with a picture in one's head. An illustration therefore is sometimes a natural extension. I hope those included will add rather than detract from the reader's picture."

Why do stories come into one's head, or odd names or first lines? Perhaps deep in the brain there is a part that makes things up and they occasionally pop out if the stimulus is right. If nothing else is occupying the mind then the idea can be developed. Most of my poems are written at one sitting with later tweaks. I use the form to be able to be more adventurous with words and to use the end of lines and the beginning of new ones to highlight a word or re-enforce an idea. Inspiration comes from events or sights or just thoughts. Often one works with a picture in one's head. An illustration therefore is sometimes a natural extension. I hope those included will add rather than detract from the reader's picture. The Stories are longer affairs but rarely planned from the start. They take lives of their own and grow from the beginning. Eric I think is the only story that I had the idea for a long time before I actually put it on paper. I am not at all morbid but death and suffering are what we all see to some degree at some time or another. Having been involved in stock farming where life and death are regular affairs I can look at the subject in a rather detached manner. Having lived and worked in the countryside I have had wonderful opportunities to observe the Natural world and the seasons. It is from these experiences that some of the work comes.