Poetry & Music
At Avebury Stone Circle, Gloucestershire
"In dreams begins responsibility"
William Butler Yeats
Susie Fox was brought up in a household that listened incessently, with respect and dedication to classical music. Music took first place but during this upbringing, books, fiction and poetry were always available, libraries used and "English Literature" studied at school. Somewhat dyslexic, Susie struggled with spelling, but read widely and with huge enjoyment any story that was readable, the more imaginative the better. From witches, fairies and dragons through to the classics of Trollope (Anthony), Jane Austen, the Bronte's; from "modern" writing (20th Century) Jack Kerouac and A. Byatt (Possession - favourite book) through to adventure novels of Alistair MacLean and Nevil Shute.....if it was in the library it was read.
The poetry read was more limited. The Bronte Sisters won for a while, Yates stepped in, and TS Eliot was given a good working through. A compilation of works from many authors, "The Rattlebag," was avidly digested.
Susie started writing music at the age of 10 with amazingly trite 4 bar ditties worked out with one hand on the piano, and developed this into Grade 8 Theory and a Music Degree (BMus Hons) in Composition. The poetry took a back seat for many years, but came to the foreground around 1997 and again ten years later in 2007. Noticibly the music writing, which was now for the folk song world, took the back seat during these two times.
Many of the songs Susie writes are poetical, but she is the first to say that a good poem does not make a good song, and lyrics are quite different to poetry. However, in both she aims for slightly austere, focussed writing, rich with symbolism and imagery, but no frills. Say it as it is. Cut out the extra words.
2007 saw Susie dabbling with acrylic painting, and this is a genre of creativity she would like to take further. At this stage is is for personal satisfaction, and relaxation, rather than public show!
In 2008 and 2009 there is a fight for time between music and poetry. Poems end up as songs and songs don't remain songs but transmute into poems. The poems have a song-like rhythm, and the songs are packed full of symbolism and imagery. Both need some fine tuning and honing.
All work on this website is copyright to Susanna J Fox. It can be used for reading aloud, privately or publically, but acknowledgements must be made to Susie Fox. The work may not be published without permission. Contact jackandsusie@uk2.net for permission. Thank you.
