Poetry

From time to time I’ll post poems here. I’ve written them for most of my life but it’s only in the last 10 years or so that I’ve had a few published – in anthologies, as a postcard, and on websites. Where a poem has been published elsewhere I’ll mention where and when. I’m not sure how much unpublished stuff I want to subject readers to. We’ll see!

In 2011, See Me Scotland, an organisation which campaigns against the stigma of mental ill health, ran a competition for poems, photographs, short stories and tweets. People were asked to contribute their ideas about mental health problems and the stigma that is too often attached to it. Judges included comedian Mark Thomas, author Lori Don and photographer Tony Marsh. I sent a poem in which arose from my experiences as an advice worker, assisting many individuals who have mental health problems. I was surprised when it was chosen for inclusion in the book – ‘A Touch on the Shoulder, an anthology of support.’ Here it is.

See us

Far out at sea
Lost now and then
Amongst heavy, angry waves

A thousand
Tiny white sails
Herald a thousand
Lost souls
Trying to come home safely.

When no one watches
And no one shares
The same cold rain,
First one and then another white blur
Goes.

But when the crowds,
Their eyes as bright as candles,
Line the shore -

One by one
The lost come home.