Songsmith samples

Here are a few samples of my work for various clients.

Poems

The Four Elements was a present for a friend, and is an example of the kind of portraiture I particularly enjoy. The portrait painter's craft is to capture a true essence or defining aspect of the subject. When I ask questions about the intended subject of a poem, it is with the purpose of discovering a defining moment or image, or a cluster of these.

S: an introduction is another such poem, this time with a central myth (that of the silkie, or seal-woman) to give it structure. This myth was very important to the subject, who has a very rich imaginitive life behind her workaday exterior. Most of the key themes in this poem emerged out of a two-hour interview with the subject.
The subject said of this poem, "I've been re-reading it and trying to understand it for years. Every now and then I have a flash of understanding, and wonder how [the poet] could have drawn such an insight out of our conversation."

Songs

Some song samples are coming soon!