“I believe there is a poet in all of us.”
– Michael Eyre
Editor’s Note: The following interview includes the interviewee’s personal reflections on world events and social issues. These views are their own and are shared in the context of discussing poetry and creative inspiration.
Michael, thank you for being part of this conversation. To start, could you introduce yourself, share some of your background, and what draws you to poetry?
Hello, my name is Michael Eyre (he/him) and I’m from Lancashire, United Kingdom. As a child I had a deep love of literature but my interest in veterinary science took me in a very different direction. I retired after a long career working both in private practice and for the government.
I found myself at a crossroads with an urgent need to reinvent myself.
A chance invitation to a local poetry group was the catalyst that propelled me into rediscovering my love for poetry.
I have been hooked ever since.
Your poem Our Choice won recognition in the BREW Poetry Awards. What does this acknowledgment mean to you as a writer?
I am deeply honoured by this accolade – a wonderful and unexpected addition to my bio!
However, much more importantly, the fact that the poem resonated and connected with the judges and community is brilliant. It will certainly encourage me to keep exploring ways to express myself through my poetry.
In the poem, you move between past, present, and future. What inspired this structure, and how do you see time shaping the themes you explore in your work?
The underlying structure is centred in the concept of Presentism – the idea that the past has gone, the future does not exist and we only ever live in the present.
I saw the terrible events in Ukraine (and subsequently Gaza) and was compelled to write something!
I thought this destructive behaviour, this inability to get along with our neighbours, has repeated itself throughout history.
Also the power of weaponry has grown exponentially to the point we can easily imagine a future where humans have destroyed their own planet.
So the message of the poem is about the simple choice we must make: either we continue with the same old behaviours which seem destined to destroy us, or we learn to get along with each other.
Many of your lines connect human history with questions about responsibility and consequence. What role do you think poetry can play in prompting reflection about the choices we make today?
I think poetry, with its imagery and metaphor, can illuminate the complex, like placing a mirror in front of the reader’s mind.
It may sound idealistic, but I hope my poem encourages a little more self-reflection, a little more empathy, and better decision-making.
You’ve had poems published and commended in competitions. What milestones or recognitions in your writing journey have meant the most to you so far?
I still recall going to my first local poetry group meeting and reading out a little ditty I had penned – they laughed, I was hooked!
My first published poem entitled Happy? had a mental health theme. It was fantastic to be asked to read it out at a virtual meeting of fellow poets from across the world.
This BREW Poetry Award is a genuine shot in the arm for my poetry writing. I am really looking to wherever the journey takes me next.
Your imagery evokes landscapes, history, and natural forces. How do place and environment influence your writing process?
I am constantly inspired to write about the landscapes and cultures of the places I visit when I travel across this amazing planet; from magical totem poles in British Columbia, the wonderful waterways of Britain, to nail-biting taxi rides in Delhi.
The idea that there is some spiritual force of nature out there watching over us like a sentinel is appealing. I wonder what he/she thinks about how we treat each other and the planet?
How has your academic background from Liverpool University and the University of Central Lancashire informed the way you approach poetry, if at all?
I am drawn towards the metaphysical as I find the blending of emotion with reason appealing. My research and analysis skills learnt during my academic studies help me to make sense of, and write about, all the fascinating facets of the human condition; from our obsession with conspiracy theories and taking selfies, to whether or not we have free will.
Writing can often serve as both expression and exploration. What have you discovered about yourself or your worldview through your own poems?
Through my poetry I have discovered things about myself and the world I wasn’t aware of; from my intense curiosity and my complete dislike of intolerance, through to the astonishing things people believe to be true despite clear evidence to the contrary.
I have discovered what a wonderful medium poetry is for consolidating your thoughts and concisely communicating your feelings and ideas.
I have been surprised by how emotional the process can be, for example, I still recall how tearful I was writing my first love poem and agonising about whether or not my partner would like it (she did!).
For readers who may feel intimidated by poetry, what advice would you give for approaching poems—either in writing or reading—in a more accessible way?
I believe there is a poet in all of us.
I got into poetry via my super supportive local group who gave me invaluable feedback and helped me to improve.
If a writer wants to share their work, my advice is to give it a go, what is the worst that can happen?
There are good online resources to help find opportunities without paying huge entry fees.
Be persistent and make rejection your friend, by learning from it and coming back stronger!
Looking forward, what themes or projects are you most eager to explore in your poetry?
Writing about my family and friends is a theme I love to return to as it stirs such strong emotions.
I have written a lot of poems – some serious, some humorous. I would like to explore putting together a collection or chapbook – I just need to find the right publisher to help me!
If you were to write your bio in your own words, what would you say? What legacy do you hope to leave?
I am a naturally inquisitive person and through my curiosity I would like to think I have helped others to see themselves and the world a little differently and perhaps with a little more empathy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I am a naturally inquisitive person and through my curiosity I would like to think I have helped others to see themselves and the world a little differently and perhaps with a little more empathy.”
– Michael Eyre
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We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your reflections in the comments:
- What draws you personally to poetry—reading, writing, or both?
- How do you think poetry can inspire empathy or self-reflection?
- Which themes or images in poetry resonate most strongly with you?
Alignment with the UN SDGs
- SDG 4 (Quality Education): Encourages lifelong learning through poetry.
- SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, Strong Institutions): Promotes empathy, reflection, peaceful dialogue.
- SDG 17 (Partnerships): Highlights community through poetry groups.
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This interview with Michael Eyre is truly a delight — a thoughtful, heartfelt, and inspiring journey into the mind of a poet who writes not just with skill, but with conscience and compassion. 🌿
Your presentation captures the essence of a writer whose voice bridges intellect and empathy. The depth of Michael’s reflections — from the moral weight of history to the urgency of human choice — makes this more than an interview; it becomes a meditation on what poetry can mean in turbulent times.
Michael’s openness about his transition from veterinary science to poetry adds a beautiful layer of humanity — proof that creativity often blooms when life turns a corner. His idea of “Presentism” and his reflections on war, peace, and empathy give readers both philosophical depth and emotional clarity. The way he links poetry to responsibility and self-reflection shows an artist who uses words not to escape reality, but to illuminate it.
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