A Selection Of My Poetry
I have had four poems published in anthologies and these are printed below. To order any of the books, just click on the title of the book which will link you then to the correct page. The poem which means the most to me and which I love is the one about my brother Jonathan, who died aged 11 1/2 weeks old from cot death. I wrote this poem in memory of him.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF A DEAR BROTHER
Jonathan Paul Stafford
26th March 1971 - 13th June 1971
Dear Jonathan,
I did not know you,
But I feel I did.
I feel much closer to you now,
Then when I was a kid.
As I have grown older,
I have missed you more and more.
A brother to talk to,
A brother to be near.
I wonder what you would be doing now.
I wonder what you would say.
But most of all, I wonder, about how you would look today.
You will always be very special to me.
Please believe me; I wish you could see,
All the things I do and all the things I achieve.
You may not be here any more.
But I know you are with me wherever I go.
Your love and spirit fills the way,
And guides me down the right hidden path.
Love from your sister Claire xxx
(Editor's Choice Volume II, Edited by Andrew Head 1997)
MY MUM
My Mum is wonderful,
Cheerful, Joyful and very very helpful,
I may be an earful,
I may be a handful,
But most of all,
I am very very grateful.
(Poems For Mum, Edited By Kerrie Pateman 1995)
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE
When I was two, I developed kidney disease,
I was too young to understand what was
happening but my parents were put at ease.
I was placed on medication which made me ill,
I had lots of operations which made me
squeal.
X-rays, Ultrasounds and Blood Tests,
What do they all mean?
I felt like I was being prodded like a
runner bean.
I am now nineteen years old and I feel
like a marigold -
Bright, happy and very very sappy.
I've pulled through twenty-four operations,
And undergone a great deal of aggravation.
At least it has not spoiled my conversation!
Eventually I will need a new kidney
It will soon be time to get rid of poor old Sidney.
Through all the pain, and all the strain,
I try not to complain,
I like to remain a thoroughly happy hurricane.
(The Arrival Press Poetry Companion, Edited by Suzy Goodall 1995)
ANIMALS HAVE RIGHTS TOO
Animals have rights too
They should not end up on the Barbecue
Nor end up as a shoe.
I have a hen called Bartholomew,
All day long, he cock-a-doodle-doos.
But he should never be undervalued or used
as a didgeridoo.
Animals should not be bred and killed for food.
They should be treated as real cool dudes,
Not end up as seafood.
Animals are often used for the testing of Cosmetics
and detergents,
People do not realise that they are diligent,
intelligent and full of talent.
Foxhunting, deerhunting is so disturbing
and gruelling.
How can people be so cruel?
How can they find it so intriguing?
Please leave our animals alone,
They are also part of the ozone.
(Animal Matters, Edited by Andrew Head 1996)
