Funny 50th Birthday Poem

Why did you start to write poems?

I guess it started at school really, you know - please write a poem for homework, that sort of stuff. Well, I found writing poetry relatively "easy" and the results were reasonably encouraging. So I did what every self respecting teenager would do - nothing. I basically didn't write another line for about twenty years. I then went on a Leadership course and we were encouraged to get in touch with "ourselves". As a result, one of the things I did was write a couple of poems, I showed them to a couple of friends and family and they foolishly encouraged me to continue writing. That was ten years ago and what you see on this site is a result of an initial challenge (by Humphrey Armstrong, the course leader) and the subsequent encouragement from friends and family. (I have often wondered what could be achieved in this world if we all challenged and encouraged more often, especially our children). In 1998 I hooked up to the Internet and purchased a book "How to build your web-site in 24 hours". Four months (!) later, I had my first web-site up and running  and waited for the mass of visitors to come and view my work. Of course, nothing happened and the counter increased every time I visited, but not much more. It was then I struck on the idea of writing poems for charity, because I had already started writing poems for friends and family's weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. I approached a couple of "Free Sites" to feature my site and was literally flooded with requests. So much so, we formed a loose group (Poets For People) of like minded poets who gave their time for charity. We did this for a couple of years but became increasingly frustrated with people who would request the poem, receive the poem and then we would hear nothing back whatsoever, not so much as a thank you. This became soul destroying after a while so I decided to "commercialize" the site and charge people up front (I then donate a percentage of the proceeds to various charities around the world). This has worked really well and the popularity of the site is outstanding. A Gift Of Poetry is now attracting over 10000 visitors per day and is growing every month ! 

What is your background?

Pretty normal stuff really. Born in 1958 in Northampton, England. Born in a council house (government owned) but Mum and Dad bought their first house in 1960 (Mum still lives there today). Great parents, two great older brothers, strong family environment. Went to Raeburn Road Primary (Tin Tack, so called because it was made of tin and tacks), Parklands Primary, Cherry Orchard High School and Northampton Grammar School. 

Went off the rails a lot as a teenager and Dad died when I was only 15. A very painful experience but one that has bound the remaining family tightly together, even though we live so very far apart. (I emigrated from England to Australia in 1991, after marrying an Australian girl in 1985). I now share my time between the UK and Australia and intend to spend more time in Africa and the States.

Left school three weeks early (at 16) and started work the following Monday for Gelders Spetra, a European transport company. Stayed in transport and logistics for best part of 30 years and that paid the bills (most of the time). Resigned from the "rat race" in December 2002  to concentrate on poetry (and other interesting projects).

What are your general thoughts

on your poetry?

My poetry will never be critically acclaimed - I know and accept that. However, a lot of people seem to like my style and I see it as "everyman" poetry. I genuinely do try and write "from the heart" and know that when I pull a tear or an "ah-ha" then I have done OK. I also like to feel that maybe some of my poetry can help people and for example, that is one of the reasons I have Footprints as a featured poem on the site, as it may help someone realize the aftermath created by taking their own life.  

What is your favorite subject and why do

you write poems like you do?

A very good question and very hard to answer. I have not read a lot of other poets work, so I can safely say that I have not copied anyone's particular style. I will literally write a poem about anything, The Worm Ode is  good proof of that statement ! I won't write a poem if it doesn't have anything to say, I must think of a dozen poems a week that I could write but discard the idea because they would have no real meaning or message. Poetry has a lot to do with emotion so I like a subject where that emotion is evident or easily aroused. For example, I wrote A Harbour View after being in Australia for a couple of years after realizing that most Australians generally take for granted their wonderful country. If you are interested, there are more of my thoughts on my writing here. There are even more here.

Best Movies?

For the record, this is the start of the list of my top 20 movies (not in order of preference, too hard to sort) :

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (Jack Nicholson)

It's A Wonderful Life (1943)

Shawshank Redemption (Morgan Freeman)

28 Days (Sandra Bullock)

Something About Mary (Cameron Diaz)

Bicentennial Man (Robin Williams)

I.T. (Steven Spielberg)

The Sound of Music (Julie Andrews)

Life As A House (Kevin Kline)

Cool Hand Luke (Paul Newman)

The Great Escape (Steve McQueen)

Blazing Saddles (Mel Brooks)

Train-spotting

Blow (Johnny Depp)

Sea Biscuit (Jeff Bridges)

Love Actually (Hugh Grant)

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Favourite Singers

Harry Chapin

Jim Croce

Tracy Chapman

Favourite Band

Queen

Favourite Songs/Music/Hymns

Four Two Dollar Bills (Leslie Wright/Allen Jesson)

Story Of A Life (Harry Chapin)

Piano Man (Billy Joel)

Mandolin Wind (Rod Stewart)

Time In A Bottle (Jim Croce)

Sweet Painted Lady (Elton John)

Serenade for Strings in E Minor, Opus 20 (second movement)

 (Sir Edward Elgar)

Jerusalem (Hymn)

and many, many more.....

Mentors

Harry Chapin

Billy Connolly

Goethe

Where do you live?

East Mersea, Essex, England and

Stanwell Park, New South Wales, Australia.

How old are you?

47 going on 17

Best books?

Fiction: Papillon by Henri Charriere.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Early stuff by Wilbur Smith.

Recent "faction": Michael Moore (Dude, where's my country?)

and John Simpson (The Wars Against Saddam)

Like to eat?

Would like to be vegetarian but can't resist a barbeque.

Like to drink?

Cabernet Sauvignon from the Coonawarra, South Australia.

Three wisest words?

Everything in moderation.

Favorite pastimes?

Writing. This website. Family stuff. Having a beer with good friends.

Most important things in life?

Knowing what is important in life.

Bad Habits?

Too many ! Too frequent smoker, weekend drinker, loved a bet.

2007 update. Running in the London Marathon in April 2007. Pleased to report that I gave up

smoking (for good) in September 2005 and am not drinking (alcohol) for the six months leading up to the marathon. More can regular updates of my progress can be found at my blog:

http://allenjesson.blogspot.com/

Good Habits?

Not doing the bad habits too often !

Proud Of?

My children.

Not So Proud Of?

My stomach.

Regrets?

Too few to mention (sorry Frank)

Worst Day?

When Dad died (he was 46)

Best Days?

When my children were born. Second wedding day.

Marital Status?

Divorced with four children. Remarried.

Why Divorce?

An Open Heart

Why Remarry?

The Willow

Favorite poems?

Footprints

The 19 Year Old

The Worldishman

Pearls of Wisdom

See them all

Best TV Show?

The Simpsons

Reading at the moment?

Footprints :)

Q. What do you look like?

http://www.agiftofpoetry.com/FAQ.htm

All the very best,

Allen Jesson

Poet

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