anthology

Introduction:

These poems represent a sample from a book I wish to publish containing all my serious poetry.

I started writing poetry in 1984.

I became inspired by the writing of Spike Milligan (after William Topaz MacGonagle) and Adrian Mole (Sue Townshend).

These days I prefer to write comedy, but during times of depression and emotional turmoil I discovered that ‘serious’ poetry would help make me feel better. Throwing up the thoughts onto paper made me feel better, much like feeling improved upon by vomiting.

Recently inspired by the radio and television celebrations of Dylan Thomas’ centenary I decided to assemble these poems into one single collection.

I resolved to write one last 'serious' poem to ‘encase’ the collection; and I called it “the End of it All”. Although relatively pleased with the result I did not enjoy the experience of writing it. This is why I felt it would be appropriate to collect all the these poems in one volume as opposed to several slimmer publications, and then draw a line under them.

If I ever write any serious poetry like this again it may be taken as a sign that my mental health has imploded!

From herein in I shall remain a writer of children’s poetry, comedy and ‘lighter’ verse; and also under the nom de plume ‘the Grim Rapper’, a writer of whimsical eulogies to recently deceased celebrities.

Andy Lancelot (June 2015)