text: Finding a poet's poet on Poetry Day
  It's National Poetry Day and the gifted wordsmith I've choose to salute is brilliant Robert Graham, and his unique website, Healing Gardens.
  I first admired Roberto's poetry back in 2008 and was really impressed. With each new poem, I enjoy his talent even more. To try to encourage his unique creativity I've been running Healing Gardens for him ever since
  A time of learning ... Siegfried Sassoon before the horror of war, back in his uni days. Wikipedia: Sassoon (front) with his brother Hamo and other students on the morning after a college May Ball at Cambridge University in 1906
  It's a difficult question for a man of words to answer, but even so I put it to him. 'Roberto,' I asked, 'which poem by another poet is your own favourite?'
  I expected a pause but the answer came immediately - Siegfried Sassoon, and his Everybody Sang.
  Roberto said, 'I was impressed that Sassoon who emerged from the war with a damaged mind, later - when this poem was written - (soon after I think), found himself healed, at peace and able to feel joy again.
  'I feel he really feels like the bird and the poem makes me feel like the bird, too. And it is a universal theme that the singing will never be done makes me like this poem so much, too.'
  Which of Roberto's own poems does he like best? I'll put the question to him tomorrow.
  In the meantime, here is the gifted poet's favourite work by other poets, Siegfried Sassoon.
  The poet lived here ... A plaque for the poet's home in London. Thanks to Wikipedia: Green plaque on the site of Sassoon's former home in Tufton Street, Westminster, London