I'm not sure how I would react if my doctor told me I had a life-threatening illness but I would probably run away to some Scottish island. That's what poet Martyn Halsall did and it's an understandable reaction.
While there he recorded in poems his thoughts and emotions about the cancer - and about the world he saw around him.
Thankfully his cancer is now in remission and, also thankfully, he has published those poems in a collection called, Visible Music.
There's something voyeuristic in reading over Martyn's shoulder his most intimate and personal thoughts during those dark days but there is fortunately also much light to be found in the poetry.
To many people Martyn already lives in a distant and remote place (Santon Bridge in West Cumbria) so probably had no need to seek out some Scottish island. But a thin place on the edge of the world is precisely where you need to be to face life - and death - full in the face and try to make sense of the world.
These poems are not all about cancer and all the dread that six-letter word brings. Many talk about the beauty of the natural world, the history and culture of places Martyn finds on his pilgrimage and celebrate the landscape's flora and fauna.
I have said before that it is Martyn's eye for detail which makes his poetry sparkle. Perhaps it is the former journalist in him which enables him to see in a crumbling building, a weathered sign or the face of a lone traveller the inspiration for his poetry. Martyn recognises, as Blake wrote, that you can see heaven in a wild flower and infinity in the palm of your hand. And so a stray Biro "loaded with words", nasturtium seeds or a tea-stained mug all offer doorways into the strange, wonderful and scary world that Martyn must encounter on his journey.
It is one we know we will all face at some point in our lives so Visible Music in one sense is a guidebook that will be a welcome companion. This collection may have its roots in a dark day but it is overall a celebration of our world and our lives which readers will want to keep close; a reminder, if one is needed, of all we should be grateful for.
Visible Music by Martyn Halsall is published by Caldew Press, £9 and is available from Martyn on martynhalsall22@gmail.com.
