"A Poet collects, from the early moments in his life, the first times he took to writing. The book explores what writing and poetry is for a person, for a dyslexic, for a people, and for one's sanity—with themes of growing up, family, hope, and magic." Poetry has always been a part of my life. Before I ever wrote it down… I saw it, or felt it. It was there, but hard to grasp or grab: like Peter’s shadow, or a coy forest nymph…. I’ve since made a sport of chasing poem across blank pages… And instead of leaving muddy footprints, in my wake are left letters and words.

Poems are the ashy remains of roaring fires that no one else sees with the naked eye. Sometimes sweet, saccharine, and gleaming. Other times, a rumination… akin to day dreaming. Often serving a purpose, like Dumbledore’s pensive: offloading our thoughts - so we can return to our senses.

Giving ourselves space and time that no one else can offer. Or recollecting The Sublime, or un-picking pickles or bothers. The poems found in this book are collected from my growing ups. Moments recovered from the past, like little sippy cups... Of kindness and nicety... From when I wrote small notes to my family. But time went on. And up I grew... And I learnt of things I never knew: My Brother soon left… My Uncle’s death… So when life got deep, I sought for breadth. And Poem would come to remind me... To look ahead to all thats next.

And so I got on with writing: 'The Excellent Mess'.