An ex-boyfriend once told me: “Poetry is just songs without music.”

To which I replied: “Poetry is songs that don’t need music.”

It was a rare moment when the perfect retort presented itself then and there – not eight hours later when lying awake in bed.

That’s because it is genuinely how I feel about poetry. Words have a music of their own.

Words can create melodies in our minds, paint vivid pictures, elicit tears or laughter – just as a painting can tell a story or music transport us on a dramatic journey.

These poems are a hotch-potch of personal scribblings, sometimes written for joy, sometimes as therapy, sometimes out of boredom – happy, sad, funny and strange – I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Your feedback, thoughts and suggestions are welcomed!