A Poet Lives Here

Several people, including Norman MacCaig, have suggested that people shouldn't call themselves poets. The title is, in a way, honorary, and should be bestowed by readers, audiences, critics, etc. That makes sense to me. Like some other writers I know, I've  never been at ease saying, "I'm a poet," when asked what I do.

However, I've just hung a rather fine glazed tile on my wall. It is emblazoned with the words AQUI VIVE UN POETA. I felt I could do this because the tile was given to me  - an unexpected present brought by Jane, one of my Poetry in Practice students. It arrived on my desk, wrapped in a Spanish newspaper, all the way from Valledemossa, Majorca. (The monastery at Valledemossa is where Chopin and George Sand endured winter from 1837- 1838.)

So, I've been told: a poet lives here in Gullane!