Stone poet John Mills has published his first collection of poems after winning third prize in the International Hippocrates Competition with a poem about Parkinson’s disease.
John was approached by a publisher after winning the award, and his anthology contains moving pieces about living with Parkinson’s after being diagnosed 6 years ago, humorous and thoughtful poems, along with thoughts on his many interests including caving, running, family life, and social comment.
John has lived in Stone for 30 years, having moved from Newcastle under Lyme. Being Head of English at a local High School left little time for his own writing, but since retiring he has dedicated a lot of time to his creative writing, graduating from Keele University in January 2020 with an MA in the subject. His International Hippocrates Competition win was for a poem about Parkinson’s from the disease’s point of view.
Since being diagnosed John has given interviews and talks about Parkinson’s, which he approaches with humour as well as fact. He is a member of many poetry groups around the country as well as Stone Scribblers, and is now leading a small online group who are writing a poem a week.
Published by Fair Acre Press, “No guiding star” is now available from the publisher and most good bookshops for £7.50, or less if bought from him personally. For more information, or to purchase a copy directly, email johnmills.mills@gmail.com.
1 comment
Arun
A letter from Dr Parkinson’s Discovery is quite an enjoyable poem to read, and the poem indeed deserves the highest recognition partly for its author who has narrated a slice of life so lightly and beautifully. All the kudos to John Mills and I wish that God give him all the power to create many more such poems.