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Biography
Originally from the home counties, now in Manchester. Another lifetime ago or so it seems I thought I was a scientist and completed my degree in zoology & plant biology at London university. Making up for lost time I did my English A level at Mancat in 2008, and was bitten by the poetry bug. Right now I'm writing family type stuff, but know when it's out of my system I'll look to the world at wide for inspiration! Juggling poetry with mountain biking and hillwalking amongst other things, but still lurking!
Samples
Wife and Mother I have not eagerly sought a blue line, gulped down a budding desire for a plus. I have seen the results of a CAT scan, and been told the sentence is death. I have not embraced a nine month gestation growing clucky, proud and rotund. I endured a similar duration of wiping puke from the mouth of a man. I have not pushed a baby out into this world screaming then start his first wail. I have kissed the lips of a dead man and inhaled as his last breath failed I have not walked hand in hand on the beach with a wizened grey haired old man, I have bought a plot in the cemetary and asked that it's dug double depth. I have not created my own happy ending, Frankly that seems a bit trite. I have found a place I belong to, and sometimes that just has to do.
All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.
Blog entries by Alison Smiles
New Mills No Frills Handy for the Hills (10/02/2018)
Clear Out (06/11/2015)
Happy Endings (12/04/2013)
Violent Ends (09/04/2013)
Unawares (07/03/2013)
My first Haiku (24/02/2013)
Not over til the pinny strings ping (20/02/2013)
Falling partners (04/02/2013)
Road Kill (15/10/2012)
It's *My* Games (30/07/2012)
Audio entries by Alison Smiles
Breasts (22/04/2012)
Grandpa's plot (11/03/2012)
Unfriend (27/06/2011)
Just a moment dear (24/12/2010)
42nd Noel (12/12/2010)
Song of triumph (27/11/2010)
Self indulgence (06/11/2010)
Maybe (07/10/2010)
Why I don't write greeting cards (08/08/2010)
Climber boy (29/06/2010)
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Comments
Thanks for your lovely comment Alison I am glad you enjoyed 'Us Nolympics'
darren thomas
Wed 23rd May 2012 11:50
thanks for your recent comment, Alison - i appreciate it. dt
Hi Alison, thanks for your perceptive comments on The Show. It's show week next week! Greg
Hi Alison, glad you liked Fizz Bomb. good to catch up at Sale the other night. It was a great night wasn't it, must go more often, Win X
Terry White
Sun 22nd Apr 2012 07:28
Feel free to stalk me all you want. I appreciate the attention, it just lets me know I've not ran out of things to say and ways to say them.
Terry White
Fri 20th Apr 2012 06:32
Alison, thank you for your comments on Day 6, you made it sound so much better than it was.
Hello Alison
Many thanks for your comments on Metre.
I've never got round to reading Beowulf myself. I wonder if it loses something in translation to modern english
I love 'Wife and Mother'. I think it's one of the best poems I've ever read. Incredibly powerful.
Great to meet you at Lumb Bank.
Glad you posted this poem Alison, it was lovely to meet you at Lumb Bank! xxxx
Cheers Alison, have a great time at Kendal the anticipation of the constipation, theres a poem in there somewhere!
Hi Alison, thanx for your comment, it can be a cruel place, glad you didn't get stuck! Glad you like it, by the way I had started to write it then your ghost theme came up so very well timed! Keep up your good work Jeff X
I looked for you on Tuesday night, at the end of the programme, but you had left so quickly I missed saying 'hello'. I enjoy your work and wanted to tell you so, in person. Perhaps next time.
Thanks for your comments on Penicure. It's not entirely autobiographical!
Hi Alison
Thanks for your comment on Mish-mash. It was indeed a thin gap. From my view I could see the dog in this gap like a silouette. Horible :-(
I will try and write something more cheery next time! Win x
<Deleted User> (9186)
Fri 17th Jun 2011 12:02
Thanks for the comment on Let the Beast Dance Alison - David
(Hope to see you at Sale on 28th)
Hello Alison,
Thanks so much for your comment on my Turncoat poem. I thought it was going to be another one with not even a gravestone comment ;-) But you stepped into the breach. I'm glad you were brave enough to like it.
I must say that I love your "style naif". Very fetching (old-fashioned word which I like and which suits) with touches of wisdom.
Keep in touch!
With love & light,
Alan
Hey, thanks for the notes Alison :)
See you at the end of the month then!
Above my bed there is an fact a painting of an old boot.
Hi Alison - thanks for your comment on 'On finding a tiny hole in my shoe...' -- raising a smile is exactly what it was intended to do -- I've been keeping my grandson amused for a week or so with this sort of stuff, while he's visiting from Canada!
<Deleted User> (9186)
Wed 6th Apr 2011 11:39
Glad you liked the poem - remember to stick to the "country lanes and bridleways" on your bike
:)
P,S. Went out on my bike round the haworth and calderdale moors for 4 hrs on mon. Wet cold and v.Windy. nearly got blown off several times and at the end too cold to speak properly. Spring! Win X
Hi Again Alison. Lovely to meet you and chat at the Big Weekend. Hope you got lots out of it, and judging by your recent offerings, you did! Win X
<Deleted User> (8951)
Tue 5th Apr 2011 21:57
Hi Alison, Thanks for your comments on Sleep if only.. Dreaming is over rated ?? i'll have to have a good deep ponder on this. Dreams is sometimes all you got to hang on to!! And when your Dreams don't come true then you know its only a dream.. Food for thought... Cheers Ian....
Hello Alison,
Sorry for the belated response - I've been browning my belly in Fuengirola.
Thanks for your comments on I Dreamt You Were Little Again.
<Deleted User> (9186)
Tue 15th Mar 2011 22:47
My friends get dimmer!! Nicely written with a hint of optimism to end ?? Dave
is it because 'them up north' are outsiders?
Can I just add my congratulations.
That is a very powerful poem and you are indeed a worthy winner. I am sorry that you have had to go through such experiences to write it though. Your grit and determination not to be beaten does you proud. x
Hi Alison,
Well done on your much deserved POTM.
Regards,
A.E.
Hi Alison,
Congratulations on poem of the month!
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Steve Higgins
Fri 8th Mar 2013 20:11
Hi Allison. lots for taking a moment to read 'the long and dusty road' Got stuck on this for a long time but my breakthrough moment was the verse you mentioned :
'I’ll breathe my last in a side road, a by road
An end of the line quiet road'
Still not completely happy with this but thanks for your comments,
Best wishes, Steve