Biography
Born in Warwickshire, England Brought up and educated in Lancashire Served in HM Forces for ten years Now lives in Spain Interests: Writing, Poetry, Painting with Water Colours and Pastels, Peace & Justice, International Relations, British & European, Deltiology, History, The Classical World, Ignatian Spirituality and other Spiritualities, The Slav Composers, Learning the Piano, Contemplation, Meditation and my two dogs. Work: Spiritual Director, Diarist, Essayist and Epistolographist, Poet and Writer In many ways I have discovered my true self which has been a very illuminating experience. After a life of conformity I am now free to express myself and find poetry a means to achieve this. I believe conformity robs us of our individuality. The nine to five job erodes our humanity and makes us less of a person. It thwarts our very identity. To write prose, poetry, to paint or compose music we need to be completely liberated otherwise we produce what other people want to hear or see and not what we want to say or achieve. I am passionately opposed to any form of prejudice as I consider it to be one of the greatest evils of humankind. I am an activist for peace and justice. As poetry is a highly subjective genre I am reminded by a friend of mine, who is a professional photographer and artist, that one´s poems need no introduction or explanation. They should be open to interpretation only. I wonder how other poets view this. I welcome all constructive criticism as I often feel the need for some direction. Thank you In April 2019 I had a book published which is entitled "Solitary Reflections", a compilation of poetry and prose. I recommend this to my friends and fellow poets. It has already received and excellent review from a well known North Country poet, Jon Darby, also a member of Write Out Loud. I include his review and a link for those of you who would like to buy a copy of this book. Thank you. Keith Jeffries "Solitary Reflections" review by Jon Darby I was so excited to receive my copy of “Solitary Reflections” in the post just last week. It looks and feels like a premium title that would sit comfortably in any bookshop. Keith Jeffries, the author, is a prolific poet on “Write Out Loud” which is where I first discovered his work, his friendship and his invaluable comments on my own and others poetry. Keith’s writing echoes his fascinating worldwide travels and a career that has seen him serve in both the armed forces and as a Spiritual Director. As the foreword says, this book could be used meditation style, especially as it covers big life themes such as War (the stunning “Shot” on page 41 is a standout for me), Religion/Faith (page 62’s wonderful “C of E” which is thoughtful, humorous and irreverent) and Sexuality (“Faces in Shadows”, page 167, a fascinating account of a time before legislation, when gay life had to be lived secretly.) Many other topics are covered, too many to mention individually, but Solitary Reflections is essentially a blunt, humorous, thoughtful and intelligent collection of fine poetry. There are six short stories to finish off, my favourite being the beautifully conveyed “Dancing Classes”. Treat yourself, a loved one or a friend to a copy. I already have". https://www.feedaread.com/books/Solitary-Reflections-9781788768023.aspx
Samples
Faces in Shadows In the furtive light of dusk, blurred figures in constant motion. Some homeward bound with purposeful gait of intent, other lone figures who welcome the night delay. Wandering with predatory delight, who live on the fringes of light. Day has gone yet they remain, those few who are not the same Light diminishes in intensity, in a few it awakens urgent necessity. They roam alone in the gloom in search of a friend with a room. Faces brush by with suspicious ease, glances which betray a sensual tease. Hands touch, expressions beckon, often all is accomplished in a second. Night seduces its predators on to secluded corners of fun. Havens of passion, soon are reached as fumbled gropings surge unleashed. Bated breath with gasps of relief done as if a skulking thief. Moments too precious to secure, times of heated passion do procure. Soon to rejoin those with gait renewed, to homes where nought is so lewd. Nights of love hastily grasped, now long since passed. Replaced by neon lights now do lure, have made the Faces more secure. (A Cameo of gay life in the UK prior to legalisation) Hell's Quagmire They lay in fetid mud, covered in congealed blood. All around the trappings of hell did abound. Broken bodies, pallid skin, all had died in a din. Stillness now dwelt in hell´s backyard. As distant guns thundered and continued to roar. A dark tinged sky of cloud and cordite. Drizzled its misery upon the mutilated dead. Rifles as broken kindling lay in squalid slime. Close to the brave now lost to their hellish grave. Freckled wire matted over a tragic scene. Beneath, those whose lives were doomed to die. Helmets, gas masks, guns galore now failed to keep a score. Craters disfigured a muddy hide of lines broken and askew. Fortifications never meant to last had gone in a blast. Smouldering ruins, the staggering wounded. Horses, dogs, casualties too were now human prey. Trees, bare, uprooted, bereft of leaves or branches. Cried to the sky as they too wanted to die. Papers, letters and the like fluttered as distant guns stuttered. Hell had visited this place and left its mark and despite the day all became dark.
Publications
Books of Poetry: Solitary Reflections by Keith Jeffries ISBN 978 1 78876 731 6 A Few Drops More by Keith Jeffries ISBN 978 1 83945 773 9 Another Mile to Travel by Keith Jeffries ISBN 978 1 03028 819 4 "Word" without questions? by Keith Jeffries ISBN 978 1 61979 906 6 Non Fiction In Detention by Keith Jeffries ISBN 978 1 78876 893 1 Published 'War Memorial' 2 November 2023 in Readly Published 'War Memorial' 5 October 2023 in Everand
Favourite Poets & Writers
Poets: Walt Whitman, Allen Ginsberg, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Pablo Neruda, Antonio Machado, Henry Lawson, Siegfried Sassoon, Rupert Brooke, Wilfred Owen, Isaac Rosenberg, Abu Nuwas, Hanif Abdurraqib, Rumi, Philip Larkin, Edgar Allan Poe, Neil Hilborn, Charles Bukowski Writers: Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Paulo Coelho, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Robert Graves, Christopher Isherwood, Winston S Churchill, Dirk Bogarde, Ben Okri, Miguel Delibes
All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.
Blog entries by keith jeffries
They Don't Represent Us (27/06/2024)
An English Hamlet (23/06/2024)
Grief Stricken (18/06/2024)
Trestle Tables (14/06/2024)
In the Land of Nod (04/06/2024)
An Arid land (30/05/2024)
An Obscure World (27/05/2024)
A Tropical Downpour (25/05/2024)
The Fountain Pen or Quill (24/05/2024)
In a Blaze of Glory (22/05/2024)
Favourite Profiles
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Comments
Dear, Keith! Thank you so much for reading, liking, and commenting on my poem My Only Love. Much appreciated. But!
When I write my poems, it doesn't mean that I write about myself.
With best wishes, Larisa
<Deleted User> (35860)
Thu 23rd May 2024 23:14
Hi Keith, popped on here instead of clogging the recent coments box up ( too much ) with my reply ( the part 2 of ) to say thank you so much.
Bethany
Hi, Keith! I want to thank you for liking and commenting on my poem I Didn't Want to Speak Out Loud. Regards, Larisa
Only divine guidance works. Prayers we can blindly depend upon.
Friend or foe only God knows.
Thanks Keith.
Thank you Keith. 🌷
Thank you Keith, your spiritually uplifting comments are appreciated. I'm glad you liked the poem. 🌷
Thank you Keith, for reading and sharing your response on 'When the days become nights', it motivates me to perform better
Thank you Keith.
You are definitely a man of faith in God Almighty. Your spiritual aspect speaks volumes in your comments. May God bless you.
Keith,
I'd like to take a moment to thank you for your continued support to my poems. Your thoughtful comments and likes really encourage me to keep my ink flowing on the page.
Thanks a lot, my friend. It really means a lot to me.😊
Polygyny is a misconstrued concept by many. I've just touched upon this topic from a woman's perspective. There's a lot of legal, religious, social aspects attached with this concept.
Thank you for reading it and leaving your words of appreciation on my blog.
Thank you appreciating my write up on hijab. I'm glad you liked it.
Hi Keith Thanks for comment on my Joni poem. So far you seem to be the only one to pick up on the Barbra reference, another great singer who my wife got me into!
HI Keith Glad you liked my ancient poem 'The Teatime Bulletin'. It was written forty years ago in response to events occurring at the time in Central America. The names and locations have since changed but , sadly, nothing else has.
Thank you so much Keith for all your lovely comments and for always liking my poetry. It is a pleasure to read your poetry too 😊
Keith, I can't thank you enough for leaving such adorable comments and appreciation on my poems. I have told this before and I say it again that you've been a great support to me from day 1 of WOL, your comments mean a lot to me and are the reason for my betterment.
From the bottom of my heart,
Thank you so very much.🌻
Thank you Keith for your kind comment on my most recent post. I really do appreciate your continued support.
HI Keith Glad you were intrigued by my Nu Provencal. You might be interested to go to the news section on WOL where there is an interview between me and Greg Freeman on the publication of my Collected Poems.
Hi Keith. Just want to say thank-you for all the thoughtful comments you have left for me recently - they are very much appreciated. 😊
Your comments on poems are always a good read. Interesting analyses.. helps me contemplate the words, their meaning, the feelings inside the words. Thanks Keith for sharing your thoughts!
Hey Keith,
Thanks for giving my poem a read. Your like and comment just motivated me on writing more.
Thank you for reading and liking my poem She's the light. Your comments are motivating. Thnx🌷
Thank you Keith for your comment on the poem world of deception. Anti Christ - Dajjal is the biggest test of faith and belief for believers. We need divine help and powers to stand a chance to win.🌷
Thanks for your comment on Postcard from RAF Oulton, Keith. I really appreciate your thoughtful analysis. It was taken from a display at Blickling in Norfolk. Much of the poem is taken from first hand accounts which I thought were very moving.
The spiritual vibes resonates. The awakened souls are sensitive to words of gratitude and repentance to almighty. I'm glad The spiritual poems are still appreciated although not by many. All thanks to wicked world's no God theories. Sad, but a bitter reality.
Thank you for appreciating the poem.💐
Hi Keith, thanks so much for your recent comment on One Last Affair. I'm glad you picked out that line, no one else did but it made me smile when I wrote it. The perfect chat up line 😉 Great to have you back and writing ferociously! Cheers, Tom.
Hello Keith, what happened to the Poetry Plus editor, by the way? 'Unforeseen circumstances' comprises a great deal!
Jennifer
Indeed K, unless otherwise stated all images are of my own volition.
Thanks Keith for your comments on 'Wheeled luggage.
Sun 27th Feb 2022 02:56
"rich in optimism"????
are you being sarcastic?
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Alaia vibes
Sat 14th Sep 2024 11:25
Keith, your incredibly kind comment on my profile stopped me in my tracks. I am so sorry it has taken me so long to respond to it, but I appreciate what you said more than I can describe. Thank you for reading my work, I look forward to getting to know your work.