notesEarlier this evening I met up with our composer friend, Nigel Clarke. Just before the summer break he asked me if I would like to write a poem to accompany a piece of music he had been commissioned to compose. Having never been ‘commissioned’ to write anything creative, I was deeply flattered and thrilled and set to with great gusto over the summer break. Nigel’s idea was to intersperse his six movements with six stanzas. He has a programme on his computer which enables him to play his compositions. This evening, for the first time, I heard the music that my poetry will accompany. Well, he is a true professional and his composition was great; full of wit and humour. Moreover, the poem and the music married well. The first public performance of both will be on 10th October and Nigel has now asked me whether I would be prepared to read out my poem personally. I am thrilled to bits but also slightly apprehensive. After all, it’s not quite the same territory as giving a talk about the European Union…