Every time I go away to somewhere new it never fails to strike creativity in me, such is the beauty of travel. Just what it kindles can never be predicted which only makes journeying even the more exciting.

What I appreciate most is the disconnection between oneself and the place: no memories, no detailed knowledge, no true sense of scale, culture or climate. It is too easy to have your appreciation of somewhere warped by what you bring to it. We may have our prejudices and preconceptions before arrival but only a fool holds on to these as a truth when faced with the first impression. To do so would negate the whole point of new experiences.

These rare glimpses of life, by being a kind of stranger to it, have the power to challenge our existing values and perceptions. We see things that in our normal environs we are blind to, having covered them in assumptions or a veil of ignorance. Beautiful and unexpected moments can flash before us and provoke a change. From the artist’s perspective, this is a powerful and inspiring thing.

So be sure that, having just returned from a rewarding vacation, I am very much busying myself with writing!

On a different note, I am pleased to announce that I have recently been accepted as a member of the Fire River Poets. Take a look at our website to find out more about us as a group and any upcoming events or competitions we have in the pipeline.

It is only recently that I have considered performing my work, let alone engaging with the poetry community. This is less egotism on my part and more of a case of not feeling ready. As I discussed in a previous post, it is difficult to judge your own greenness and whether a venture or an idea is worthwhile or currently beyond you. Now that I feel I have something worth sharing, I will no doubt reap the benefits of learning from others.

This month's favourites:
   Susanne Sundfør, Ten Love Songs
   Clive Gamble, The Timewalkers
   Spectre (2015)