Keith Howden
was born near Burnley in 1932. He is married, with three children.
After National Service and work as a laboratory assistant, he taught
English and modern European fiction with a major interest in 'the
text as event' at Nottingham Trent University. Among his many poetry
pamphlets are Joe Anderson, Daft Jack's Ideal Republics, Pauper
Grave, Hanging Alice Nutter and Barlow Agonistes. He has
published three full-length collections, Marches of Familiar
Landscape (Peterloo 1978), Onkonkay (Peterloo (1984) and
Jolly Roger (Smokestack 2012). Recently, with his son, the
composer Matthew Howden, he has completed two poetry music
collaborations, with accompanying discs: The Matter of Britain
(PRE Rome 2009) and Barley Top (Redroom 2013).
Envoi.
There is little new in these pages. Most of these poems have been
previously published, although there are a substantial number of
small and quite a few
larger revisions, re-shapes and corrections. I’d like to thank the
following publishers for the work they have done and for the trust
they have shown in me. Peterloo gave me my earliest chance:
since then Post-Romantic Empire (Rome), Redroom and
Smokestack have helped and supported me: and my later and
considerable thanks must go to Penniless Press for the
tolerance and encouragement I’ve received. To all of those who gave
me the chance to display my ideas, my themes, my obsessions and my
predilections, my sincere thanks
My thanks too, to ASMR
for the cover photograph of Hameldon quarries, Barley Top and their
surrounding landscape, the country of my heart.
