Over the past week I have been in London at a magical event celebrating the work of choreographer, dancer and movement theorist Rudolph Laban. The celebration was organised by my friend Darren Royston, who choreographed and directed me in various productions during our undergraduate days and who was a source of inspiration and energy across … Continue reading Tanz Ton Wort – Laban celebration event.
A shattering fall From the greatest of heights Hard to tell, first of all What was broken. Nothing was visible on the outside Yet horrors within Left unspoken. Up became down And down became up As she struggled to swim To the surface. Sometimes she sensed The glow of the sun But then lost it … Continue reading The ladder
Amongst all the awfulness Amongst all the bad news Amongst all the finger-wagging and Narrow-minded “helpfulness” On the platforms which are meant to be Social and friendly…. ….we sometimes need to look to strangers For signs that the world is full of good. When things go wrong and All it takes is a look For … Continue reading The kindness of strangers
Tonight I swam alone At first fearful What if What if What if And then, open to the sounds and scents Like never before Fully immersed In the cool waters In my self. After a while I thought of each friend Who might have been there And hoped that their reason for absence Was a … Continue reading Swimming alone
When there’s no going back because you can see from so far forward that it didn’t serve you. When there’s no going back because you realise that the race you were running where you were winning but falling so far behind wasn’t the right one. When there’s no going back because pulling yourself out of … Continue reading Whatever it was, don’t go back.
When one door closesSometimesAnother one opensTaking you back to your spiritTo who you wereAnd areAnd want to be. Today I looked downAnd through that doorTo something joyfulWeightlessAnd alive. I didn’t dive in with themBut they swam for meAnd showed meThe way.
I have got into the habit of taking a picture after every swim I do and posting it on my socials. It’s an attempt to hold myself accountable and remind myself (and others) that I am trying my best to do things to help my body and mind. It isn’t about the picture, it’s about … Continue reading No picture
A month ago I got an email from Hollie McNish, after I had volunteered, via a Facebook post, to review the copy proofs of her next collection, Virgin. I didn’t strictly fit the criteria for being a reviewer as my social media following isn’t big enough… but luckily Hollie let me sneak into the circle of … Continue reading A review of Virgin, the new collection of poems by Hollie McNish.
Your octogenarian friend said that she wants to live to 100. You said that you don’t. But may I just say, with all due respect and love That I want you to. And even then, 20 years more of you, mum, with your love, wisdom and encouragement wouldn’t be enough. You told me that a … Continue reading Indispensable
This is a poem that I wrote for the occasion of Alex and Kane’s vow renewal ceremony - 26th July 2025. What and where and who is love? The curious mind has asked Through words and music over time Passed on in search of truth. In kiss, in touch, in look, in word And yet … Continue reading What is love?
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