South Shields poet sharing thoughts as book is published

Michael Parkinson’s Thoughts of the Lunatic is made up of more than 250 poems.

The 62-year-old’s collection was one of just seven books chosen from across Europe by company United Publishing, and he’s excited to see it hit the shelves.

The dad-of-two and grandad-of-five said: “The book is made up of my thoughts and things that I’ve come across and conversations that I’ve had.

“One was inspired by an older lady I got chatting to in South Shields who was telling me her husband had recently passed away and about all the little things she missed, like waking up next to someone in the morning, and having a cuddle.

“I decided to write a poem from my point of view all about how I would feel in that situation.

“I’m just waiting for a date from the publisher now and it’s very exciting.”

Michael is also set to release one of his poems, dubbed An Old Man’s Wish, that has been set to music as a charity single.

He’s planning to release the track on iTunes in the run-up to Father’s Day to raise cash for homeless charity Crisis UK.

Michael enlisted the help of Neil Rigg, from South Shields, who is a director of music studies in Leeds.

He said: “I chose to raise money for Crisis UK because I have an affinity with the homeless, because I was once homeless myself.”

Thoughts of a Lunatic is set to be released soon and the single An Old Man’s Wish will be available to download on iTunes in the run-up to Father’s Day.