The poet, MATT SIMPSON, died on the 8th June, a week after a heart bypass operation.

Born in Bootle in 1936, he published six books of poetry, three from Bloodaxe, two from Liverpool University Press, and one from Shoestring. Until his retirement in 1998 he was senior lecturer in English at Liverpool Hope University. Matt read for Dead Good Poets Society on several occasions and will be greatly missed.

His funeral is on Thursday 18th June, 2-30pm at Springwood Crematorium, Allerton, Liverpool.


AN AUTUMN ROSE

So much, I know, depends on me.

Let’s be positive, you say.
Not always easy when, deprived of choice,
the ability to come and go at will,
I stiffen into glum resentment like a child
kept in and punishing the world with sulks.

When I try it works,
seems such a simple thing to do.

This morning I discover on my desk a rose
fetched from the garden, an October rose,
and by its side a shy lover’s letter shaming me,
thanking me for being kind.

Matt Simpson (In Deep: Shoestring Press)