I came to your website via the blog of Crafty Green Poet and I just wanted to say thank you as I have just been reading your commentary introduction. It really clarified a few things to me. I have been reading a lot of poetry recently and often feeling very stupid for not 'getting' something, or for not trying very hard to understand, for expecting some kind of instant gratification. I get irritated by poems that are too esoteric or don't appear to want the reader to know what they mean. I was in fact treating poetry a bit like music, just wanting to 'listen' and pass on to the next song. It was like you were saying it is ok to do that. That sometimes I like the challenge of reading a poem over and seeing different things, and sometimes you just let the words float through your head. I really enjoyed your sample poems, particularly 'newsbites'. Anyway that was it really, just thank you.

much love martine

Hi Kona

I 'discovered' you quite some time ago, in a poetry-writing class run by Roddy Lumsden at City University in 2005 (I think the poem we read was Prayer). I took to you immediately, and made a point of getting hold of Tails, and loved it.

A few weeks ago, happened to catch sight of your name in the Poetry Book Society bulletin. For some crazy reason you were not on their list of recommended new books, but I did not have to think twice and purchased Perfect Blue immediately. I really love it.

Found your website and (obviously) was tempted to send you a message to say how much real joy your stuff brings into my life. I might have waited a bit and sent a more measured and cautious message, only I just read your Introduction to the Companion to Perfect Blue, and your prose ideas are if anything even more spot-on (for me) than your poetic!

I feel as if I could ramble on forever, but wanted you to know you have a fan! At least one.

Oh - I've just read 'The Gift' on the SPL website - and it's beautiful.

Lovely, lovely stuff. Thankyou.

Liz
www.wordhappening.blogspot.com