State-educated poets are traditionally under-represented in poetry publishing in the UK, but despite that, I love my work. At what point can the overused phrase ’emerging’ apply? I don’t know and I don’t care. I’m interested in themes and ideas. Much of my work is in honour of African American artists and poets who created America’s great cultural period and faced segregation, injustice and discrimination. I draw inspiration from W.E.B. Du Bois – The Souls of Black Folk, Paul Gilroy – The Black Atlantic, Christina Sharpe — In the Wake, and Rinaldo Walcott – the Black Aquatic.

I’m also interested in environmental themes with acknowledgment of human contradictions, the Anthropocene and deep time. I’m a former student of Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England and ‘a well-known figure in modern British conservation’ (Wiki). My first published poem was included in the Co-op Caring Poetry Festival Anthology on the theme of ‘People should care’.

I draw inspiration from contemporary visual artists. So many speak to me: Ro Robertson, Alberta Whittle, Kara Walker, Lubaina Himid, Huw Locke, confront and encapsulate some of my contemporary thoughts.

Thank you to the editors of Spelt 7, Abridged 0-82 Axis, Honest Ulsterman, IceFloe Press, Wombwell Rainbow, Poetry Ireland Review 137, Stand 235/20.3, and the Live Canon Anthology 2022. You are the best.

Poems online:

June 2022, The Wombwell Rainbow: The Herald of the Living Earth and Residence Time

The Wombwell Rainbow: The Slick Street Part of the World

IceFloe Press: My Mother’s Tongue

Honest Ulsterman:

Replacing the Cobblestones: Oct 22

Elvis at the Golden Shovel, Feb 2022

In Central Southern England 2020

Mozart in Manchester 2019

The North, Iota, comps Yorks, Exeter. MA Creative and Life Writing, Goldsmiths, University of London. Mentor of the Weak was longlisted by Billy Collins for the Fish Poetry Prize 2022.

Strong Men, Carrying Horses was longlisted by Billy Collins for the Fish Poetry Prize 2021.

The North, Iota, comps Yorks, Exeter.

MA Creative and Life Writing, Goldsmiths, University of London.