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 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. 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.
All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.
Blog entries by keith jeffries
Trenches and Toasts (20/03/2023)
A Canopy of Darkness (18/03/2023)
The Presence (15/03/2023)
Framed (13/03/2023)
The Perennial Jackboot (11/03/2023)
Not all are the same (09/03/2023)
The Last Journey (07/03/2023)
Through the Gate (05/03/2023)
Behold (05/03/2023)
A Pilgrim's Life (28/02/2023)
Favourite Profiles
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Comments
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?
Wed 16th Feb 2022 02:41
Humor & Truth
quite a meal
for one old poet.
Tue 8th Feb 2022 03:25
Except now the sheep in Canada
are attacking the wolves. haha
Trudeau, in the meantime goes into hiding...
afraid of his own people.
I love it!
Wed 2nd Feb 2022 21:52
Thanks for the kind words Keith.
That poem speaks to Censorship
and how prevalent it is now.
I think we need to stand up
as artists and as citizens
like the truckers in Ottawa
and protest the theft
of our free speech.
Thank you Keith for reading and liking the poem heaven in hell💐
Mon 31st Jan 2022 11:52
My wife came down with Covid.
so far I have not gotten it.
Have you?
Here it is almost universal.
Everyone has it.
Sat 29th Jan 2022 23:52
And... no one holds them accountable
Where's the U.N.? The infamous World Health Organization?
Look at all the damage & deaths they have caused.
They screwed up the entire world.
Thu 27th Jan 2022 23:02
Leave out in the desert
or the woods
let the vultures and coyotes feast
then it all goes back to nature
and everyone had a good time.
Thu 27th Jan 2022 03:23
we will designate a new Breed then.
"Hairless Poets".
Require lots of love
but no grooming necessary.
😃
Brilliant analysis. Wise words of a wise man. I quite agree. Movies have always been a medium as well as the source of spreading notoriety. No body knows what may happen.
Thank you.
Hi Keith re "After the nearly before" it sure is all my own work!!!
🤔
😉
tc
Keith, Thank you for leaving a motivating note as your comment in my poem. There's so much wisdom in your words. If taken heed the reader must benefit. I'm glad to know you read my poems. Thank you for your precious time and words🌷
Wed 19th Jan 2022 12:56
That's what I thought.
Too much immigration changes the fabric of the country.
Like here in the U.S.
But...we do not have a leader with Wild Hair!
Our only saving grace!
BAN THE BOMB
BAN LEAF BLOWERS!
Wed 19th Jan 2022 02:49
Is England still a country?
Thank you. I admire your poetic understanding. Your comments are a personal reflection of your faith and belief. I can relate to your words due to this faith in the creator.
Sat 15th Jan 2022 23:15
Man in the moon
Santa Claus
seems no honesty applies,
all these myths entwine our lives
turns out they are
all lies.
Sat 15th Jan 2022 02:37
she knows me
better than I do.
😃
Hope all is well with you.
Thank you for reading my poem. I must say you have a deep understanding of spiritual psychology of human beings. A realistically correct assumption. Thank you. I'm glad you liked the poem🌷
Cheers Keith for your comments and 'like' for 'Taking the Knee'
🙂
Mon 10th Jan 2022 00:44
I am inspired by your words of encouragement.
In fact, you should be a poetry critic!
Offering your insight with skill!
Awesome!
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Hélène
Fri 6th Jan 2023 16:22
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!