UK Book Club discussion

Debut Poetry Collection Reflects on Love, Loss, Sea and Sky

Broadstairs writer John P. Asling admits his first collection of poetry – Love After Love Has Failed – reflects a long life marked by struggle and persistence, love and loss, success and failure.

The 73-year-old Toronto-born poet, short story writer and journalist wanted Love After Love Has Failed to be an honest reflection on a life that has included violence in childhood, escaping to boarding school at age thirteen, marriage, divorce and late love.

‘I don’t think my life has been that different, to be honest. However, I believe the writer, the artist has an opportunity – a responsibility – to reflect on what it means to be truly alive.

‘To tell their story with a touch of humility, perspective, humour. That’s what I have tried to do in Love After Love Has Failed.

‘I have been writing poetry since I was a teenager in Toronto and published a couple of dozen poems. This collection takes the reader from Canada to Switzerland, London to Broadstairs, and from childhood to senior citizenship, from stormy days to the beauty of the sea and sky.’

Published by The Choir Press and edited by Vicky Morris, the collection of 55 poems weaves fragments of love and loss, with the ever-present landscape of Broadstairs offering opportunity to reflect on childhood and ageing, hope and security - and insecurity.

In ‘Waves’, Asling writes of hearing a song from his wedding fifty years ago and being tempted to write a note to his former wife ‘from England’s side of the fathomless ocean. /But I don’t send it. It’s too late sadly, still strangers -/the waves of life only carry us further apart.’

In ‘Walking With You at 7am’, which celebrates new love thirty years later, he writes, ‘It will all be wildly insane. / And friends will say, Not again!’ Yet they persist, and ‘Two decades on, /we walk by the sea, sometimes it rains/ but no matter – the time of day or the weather - / her damp hand holds me still closer.’

Asling, who has lived in Broadstairs now for three and a half years, has been a teacher, youth worker, journalist, church executive and freelance editor. He holds a BA in Religious Studies, and (Hons) BA in English Literature and an MA in Creative Writing.

He has published two books of short stories – A Crack in Everything and Time Enough for Sadness (both with The Choir Press).

Wow - that's a good introduction to this group, John. Your poetry stops me in my hurried tracks and allows me time to think. Thank you.

Anna wrote: "Wow - that's a good introduction to this group, John. Your poetry stops me in my hurried tracks and allows me time to think. Thank you."

Very kind. Thank you.