HOME Page – Poetry as Therapy (updated 04/04/25)

The Real Woman Behind The Vixen Of Verse...

Updated 17/02/26

I am divorced, and I will become 71 on the 9th April 2026. I am a survivor of domestic violence. I live with my 2 lovely cats, Sooty, my black cat who I acquired from the neighbours. He is 7 years old and Miss Molly who is also 7 years old, she is a cute black and white, ( Tuxedo cat)and came from Cats Protection where she had been rescued from living in a hole in the wall in a ginnel ( alleyway).

We live in Oldham which is in Greater Manchester. A former cotton mill town during the Industrial Revolution, it has lots of green parks, and where I live, it is near to the Yorkshire border and the lovely countryside of Saddleworth.

Sadly, now there is a lot of unemployment among the young population and the town badly needs some levelling up investment. I live in a cosy first floor flat (apartment) with 2 bedrooms, lounge, kitchen with dining area, bathroom and utility room. I share the communal staircase with my neighbours. We also share a garden with the 2 downstairs flats. My cats have access to the garden mornings and evenings. Now, both Miss Molly and Sooty stay in overnight. I have lovely neighbours who are very helpful and friendly towards me.

Back in 1985 I fled my marital home with my 2 sons following 2 years of domestic violence.

In 1998 my younger son, Evan Kenneth Paul Crossley died from a heroin overdose. He is now at peace, free from pain and anguish. He is always remembered as forever 22 and lives on in my heart and memory.

My elder son, Stuart has chosen to cut off contact with me but I live in hope that we will one day be reconciled. I love and forgive him and he always has a place in my life and heart.

I have 3 gown up grandchildren, Declan, Bobby and Sydney. I am only in touch with Declan with whom I have a close, loving relationship.

I am a British Army Veteran of the Northern Ireland Conflict.

I have lived and worked in Spain and speak the language fairly well. Sometimes I even write poetry in Spanish. I attend a great class at a nearby library where I study at Spanish Improvers level with the lovely George Shaw. It is a U3A class. ( University of the 3rd Age).

I was born in 1955 so I am one of the Waspi Women who were robbed of in my case 2 years of my pension when the Tory/Lib Dems renaged on their promise to move the pension age up by 2 years at a time.

I am riddled with osteoarthritis and spondylitis and have been in a lot of pain for the last 25 years. I have had 2 new knee replacements, which have helped tremendously. Now, I pace myself most of the time and have found different ways of controlling the pain. I am diabetic, controlling my high blood pressure and cholesterol with medication. I have sleep apnea and successfully use a CPAP machine which is keeping my incidences of not breathing very low.

I am lucky in my ‘family of friends’ who inspire and support me along life’s path.

I am an eclectic, solitary witch and practise magic at home and in nature.

On 01/04/2026 I aim to complete NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writing Month) or GloPoWriMo (Global Poetry Writing Month) which is in April. It is dedicated to writing a poem every day in April to a prompt.

THE DAILY HAIKU

This is a site I was asked to join late in April 2020. It is now 2026, and I continue to write a haiku as often as I can, sometimes more than one. It concentrates the mind and helps with focus.

SHORT FORM POETRY

I love writing short form poetry. I love triolet, haiku, tanka, landay, cherita, cherita terbalik, anserine, shadorma, treochair, sijo, limericks, ha’sinnets, troiku and more! Through this blog, I have met online with the lovely and talented Susi Bocks and have had poetry published in three of her anthologies.

OPEN MIC

I have returned to Open Mic here in Oldham, which the Manchester group Cultureword have facilitated. They have various events during the year which are very well attended.

CHAIR YOGA

I found this class at Waterhead Parish Church which is near to where I live. We meet on Monday evenings and the group is facilitated by the lovely talented, Faye.

VEG IN THE PARK

As spring approaches I will be back to Veg In The Park in the nearby Waterhead Park. It grows and produces vegetables. It has a charming, bright and clean cafe run by Caroline and Gary and is a thriving community hub.

I hope you enjoy all the features of my blog. Please go to the contact page and fill in your email address, and let me know what you like and what you don’t. If you are a poet, why not consider a spot on my guest poet site? Just email me at carolyncrossley6@outlook.com with GUEST POET in the subject line. Thanks for reading.

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