The front cover to my first full collection of poems and photography
My first full collection of poems, illustrated with my own photography, was 'White Light White Peak' published by Fly on the Wall Press in 2019. It is no longer in print, though I do still have a few copies for sale and hope to have it republished elsewhere before too long. A good selection of my photography from the project can be viewed in an album on my Flickr photostream: White Light White Peak.
Starting in the depths of a snowy winter, both book and the multi-media live performance are a journey through a White Peak year, including encounters with the weather, wildlife and people; some amusing, some thought-provoking and many involving a Springer Spaniel...or two. The poems are told from memory and in a conversational style, like miniature short stories, complete with twists and some happy endings.
With a foreword by fellow White Peak poet, F. Philip Holland, the book had some fantastic reviews. One of the best is by Helen Moat, well known Peak District author, travel writer and book reviewer:
“A joyous book - one to be slowly savoured. The black and white photos are truly atmospheric, the snippets of prose down-to-earth and gently humorous, while the poems are a wonderful celebration of nature. Simon Corble produces a little bit of magic in White Light White Peak, capturing the ethereal beauty of England's first national park. This is a book to keep and cherish.”
Starting in the depths of a snowy winter, both book and the multi-media live performance are a journey through a White Peak year, including encounters with the weather, wildlife and people; some amusing, some thought-provoking and many involving a Springer Spaniel...or two. The poems are told from memory and in a conversational style, like miniature short stories, complete with twists and some happy endings.
With a foreword by fellow White Peak poet, F. Philip Holland, the book had some fantastic reviews. One of the best is by Helen Moat, well known Peak District author, travel writer and book reviewer:
“A joyous book - one to be slowly savoured. The black and white photos are truly atmospheric, the snippets of prose down-to-earth and gently humorous, while the poems are a wonderful celebration of nature. Simon Corble produces a little bit of magic in White Light White Peak, capturing the ethereal beauty of England's first national park. This is a book to keep and cherish.”
The poster-image for the multi-media live show.
My second collection of poems - 'For the Love of PEAKLAND BIRDS, in Songs and Sonnets', is now complete, (title tbc). I am in the process of producing dozens of drawings, based on my photography, using ink and wild bird feathers that I have found on my walks and made into quills; I add a little charcoal. This will be published late in 2023...
Below is one of the drawings, done using a Mallard's flight feather.
Below is one of the drawings, done using a Mallard's flight feather.
Moorhen with chick. Duck quill and ink with charcoal. One of my drawings for the book
The Brownfield Research Centre
In the Summer of 2018, I won a commission to write a poem for a project with the AirSpace Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, on the subject of the brownfield sites around the city centre, which they were exploring. On visiting the sites, I became so inspired that I came up with a small collection of poems - one of which featured in large print on a wall at the gallery. I also took a host of photographs; there is an example below, with a short section of text from the poem called 'Atonements'.
In the Summer of 2018, I won a commission to write a poem for a project with the AirSpace Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, on the subject of the brownfield sites around the city centre, which they were exploring. On visiting the sites, I became so inspired that I came up with a small collection of poems - one of which featured in large print on a wall at the gallery. I also took a host of photographs; there is an example below, with a short section of text from the poem called 'Atonements'.
Another baby’s had its cotton innards
ripped inside-out – by birds;
I really, really hope it’s birds.
Its blue eyes shine up to the stars...
ripped inside-out – by birds;
I really, really hope it’s birds.
Its blue eyes shine up to the stars...
The poetry mini-collection is in the small library at AIrSpace. and a few more of the photo's are in an album on my Flickr photostream. Click on the image above for the album 'Brownfield Research Centre'.
Video Performances
Every now and then I perform a new poem to camera. I like to do these in a site-specific way. The best example is 'The Tin in the Shed' which you can watch by clicking on the photo below - the photo I call 'The Shed of Dreams'. It is on youtube and opens in a new window.
Every now and then I perform a new poem to camera. I like to do these in a site-specific way. The best example is 'The Tin in the Shed' which you can watch by clicking on the photo below - the photo I call 'The Shed of Dreams'. It is on youtube and opens in a new window.
