I would like to thank Aaron Kent from Broken Sleep Books for giving
me the opportunity to publish these poems. I have especially appreciated
Aaron’s enthusiasm for my work. These poems examine my relationship
with my body, my family, my work and the world. They explore the many
and varied ways I am challenged by these experiences; for these reasons, the
poems themselves can be challenging. They represent the pervasive nature of
my Imposter Syndrome: an imposter in my own body, family, work and the
world. And of course, in the world of poetry. This is why Aaron’s support
and encouragement means so much. Thank you, Aaron for caring about these
poems and by default caring about me.

Thanks also to John McCullough who originally judged these poems and
awarded them the Runner-up position in the Prole Pamphlet Competition
(thanks also to Brett Evans and Phil Robertson from role of course, for running
the competition) in 2020. I am blown away by John’s apposite and munificent
endorsement, capturing almost precisely what I had hoped to achieve with these
poems. Again, his enthusiasm and support of my writing is hugely appreciated.
I have long been a fan of John’s work: his writing, his experience, his generosity
of spirit also helps me believe that ‘real’ people can make it poetry.

Thanks should also go to Pascale Petit and Andrew McMillan whose writing
workshops helped inspire some of these poems and, whose editing tutorials
helped tighten others. It was a huge honour to be tutored by them both whilst
on an Arvon Writing Retreat at The Hurst in the summer of 2019.

I would also like to thank my friend and colleague at the University
of Worcester, Dr Sharon Young for introducing me to the poetry of
Anne Finch; A Nocturnal Reverie soon became a favourite and was in
the forefront of my mind whilst writing, After the strangled screeches were
thought were thunder, a reverie. I thank Sharon for her insight and expertise
at that time, and now, but especially for the chats (and pep talks!) over
coffee which keep me believing that I can be a poet and an academic.

I would like to give space to Sharon and my other female colleagues at the
University of Worcester: Dr Lucy Arnold, Holly Barnes-Bennetts, Prof.
Nicoleta Cinpoes, Jenny Lewin-Jones, Dr Barbara Mitra, Ruth Stacey and
Dr Whitney Standlee. It’s not easy being a female academic. I appreciate you
all: your innovative research, your commitment to your teaching, your support
of students and your unwavering support of me.

I thank the friends who listen to me ramble about my research and writing.
Who listen to the long-winded response to a simple, ‘How are you?. Who
tell me that I’m not such a bad mother after all. Thank you: Claire Bou Aziz,
Carly Bradshaw, Nina Chauhan-Lall, Shanty Devi, Claire Dickenson and
Rachel Georgiou.

I must thank my parents: they continue to give me everything. I would be
nothing without them. They inspire me and my children. I thank my brother
for being himself, always.

Thank you of course to my husband, Simon for continuing this struggle we
call marriage, parenthood, life. Our children are mesmerising; testament of
everything that is possible when we’re together.

Rosalind and Alastair – you are everything and always will be. Remember: be
kind: be brave.