Random Thoughts

My name is Norman Lawrence Rowlston, and the following poems represent my thoughts and ideas on all that has happened to me over the last 30 years.

After a considerable period of illness, which culminated in a heart transplant in 1996, I decided to try my hand at writing. Some 20 or more of the poems have been published by companies in the USA and in the UK. In America, the main publisher of my works is the International Society of Poets, and in the UK the main one is United Press.

Several of my poems are reflections of time spent on the way to and in hospital at certain times; the main one of these is an ode of tribute to the nursing staff, and that is the one entitled Angels of the Night. Although not a sufferer of Alzheimer's disease, I was asked to produce a couple of poems for publishing in their newsletters, including Unseen Images. Marching was written to show support for the Rural Life Association.

Justice was in answer to the letting off of a Judge without any response after he had committed a crime. A Dying Breed was a cry from the heart after the butchery of the mining industry by Margaret Thatcher. This was dear to my heart as I have lived most of my life in a heavily endowed mining area, now defunct. I also worked down the pit on two periods. Love is a tribute to my wife of 37 years, Joan, whilst A Prayer to Love was written specifically for the wedding of one of my step grandchildren. The poem was read out during the church service by my eldest grandson. Graduation was written to show my pride in my son and daughter on graduating from University.

9/11 was the idea behind Pray for America. This was published in some newspapers in both America and Hawaii. There are a few poems which may sound strange to your ears, but they are literally correct as they have been written in Yorkshire dialect, a mode I intend to do more in. Nonsense poetry is included with two of the ones I wrote for a children's magazine, and they are Snow and The Obligatatum. The Tramp is based on a true story from this area.

All the artwork contained in this booklet has been produced by my wife, Joan Rowlston. Please read and enjoy; half of the joy of writing is knowing that someone else is also getting pleasure from your efforts.