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)

Read more entries by keith jeffries…

Blog link: https://www.writeoutloud.net/blogs/keithjeffries

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