Poet’s line in odes to order

24 February 2005

Caroline McClatchey

ROSS Williams spends his days writing odes to other men's girlfriends and wives.

The 28-year-old poet, of Highgate High Street, carves out a living composing personalised poems for other people's loved ones and special occasions.

The English literature graduate has been waxing lyrical for 15 years but hit on the idea of a bespoke poetry service about four years ago and set up his internet company last year.

And it is so successful that he was too busy this Valentine's Day to pen a tribute to his girlfriend, Susie, who proofreads the poems.

He said: "It was a hobby which has turned into something a bit more. It's gaining momentum through word of mouth. It was really hectic over Valentine's - I had 20 to do in a very short period of time."

Mr Williams also confessed to one matchmaking mishap on February 14.

"A sweet woman asked me to write a poem for a guy she had only been seeing a short time. She was head over heels in love. I sent her the poem but unfortunately he had just finished with her. Maybe the poem would have changed his mind."

Mr Williams finds out as much as he can about the muse before putting pen to paper.

He said: "The poems are all unique - it's not a Hallmark greeting card. It's not something you can just churn out because you have to think of the individuals."

More than half his requests are from women but most of his last-minute dashes are from men. He gives people the option of changing the first draft but not a single stanza has been altered so far. The poem is printed, framed and posted and most people ask him to sign it.

He said: "I'm sure there have been one or two who have passed it off as their own. Many just don't have the time - and then there's also the fear element."

Sam Flint, 31, a doctor from Hampstead Lane, Highgate, asked Mr Williams to write a poem for her wedding last August.

She said: "We had a civil wedding and were looking for readings. They tend to be a bit twee and boring and we had heard them all before.

"I was slightly dubious and was concerned it was going to be corny.

"But it was amazing. Our personal details were subtly woven into the poem and people asked us for copies."

For more information visit www.commissionapoem.com

caroline.mcclatchey@hamhigh.co.uk

--

The swimmers of Hampstead Ponds have been on a mission,

To save a crucial component of the Heath's great tradition.

Meetings were convened to see if the Corporation could cope

While the swimmers waited by for that glimmer of hope.

"Let's charge the swimmers!" the Corporation's camp said.

"There goes the glimmer!" the cry went back up from Hampstead.

Of turnover, turnstiles and tickets the company wrote,

But it will take a lot more than that to keep the bathers afloat;

For the charge is a deterrent and the swimmers will abscond

From the thought of paying two pounds just to swim in a pond,

And as we wonder who can now save these ponds from decay

Could their redemption mean intervention from Ken's GLA?

Could they assume control or consider giving a loan

Could the ponds cool some hot water for Ken Livingstone?

Until then, who will go the distance as the feud becomes bitter?

Well, out of pen pushers and swimmers we know who is fitter!