Ian offers words of hope for these dark times

IAN Henery, Bugle Amabassador and Walsall’s first Poet Laureate (2011 - 2015) has just completed a new collection of poetry.

“The book is called Poems of Hope,” Ian told the Bugle. “And it was born out of the Covid-19 pandemic which has swept away the old lifestyles of the entire world”, explained Ian.

Included within this collection are poems Ian was commissioned to write for Walsall For All, about the effects of the pandemic and social distancing.

“There are also poems for my daughters, for my partner, for my home town of Walsall, written when I was Poet in Residence, for Walsall Parish Church’s 800th Anniversary, and about Sister Dora,” said Ian.

There are verses celebrating the UNESCO Black Country Global Geopark, announced this year, and poems which he used to help people in recovery from addiction in a series of poetry workshops he ran before lockdown.

“These are poems that have been tried and tested in virtual poetry performances during lockdown on Facebook and Zoom platforms around the world,” explained Ian.

“I have been very active poetry-wise during lockdown, but it’s my 15 year old daughter who has kept me sane. We went on long walks together, she has sorted out all of my technical issues with Zoom, Facebook and social media – and she even got the manuscript ready for publication. The book is dedicated to her because she is amazing. Her name is Grace”.

Ian is a solicitor with offices across the West Midlands but he describes that as “just the day job”. He also writes plays and Ian also presents his own show on Hope Radio which broadcasts online. Run by volunteers, the station is a new project born out of the pandemic. Ian has run six series of programmes since May this year, featuring poets both local and from around the world.

The book’s cover photograph shows the Pillar of Friendship at Coalbrookdale in Shropshire. Within the pillar are panels featuring the work of sculptors from the USA, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Palestine and the UK.

“As long as people from nations at conflict can unite in a project of friendship”, said Ian, “there will always be hope”.

is published by Kates Hill Press in Dudley, and is available from Ian’s website: www. ianhenerypoet.com