Contact: peterwlane@cantab.net
Of course, in one sense, all poetry is personal. What I've posted here are poems I have written that are not about specific people. I have written longer and more personal poems occasionally throughout my life, to help come to terms with emotional turmoil, but I don't feel it appropriate to publish them. I am not a prolific poet, and I have spent little time studying poetry, even many years ago at school, since I specialized early into mathematics.
My latest interest is micro-poetry, and I have taken to writing haiku on holiday to help me remember impressions of some of the places I've visited (together with photos I and my wife have taken). I've put these together here.
I have also begun to write poetry in Welsh (including haiku), to help my learning of the language (I live in North Wales). I've put them here, together with English translations.
I have started to post iconic Welsh songs here, intended as a learning resource for English-speaking Welsh learners.
The piece begins, and peace descends In unison as voices blend - A union of young and old - To rise and fall, then pause at home. There starts the harmony below: The octave first, then fifth to flow As constant hum beneath a rise Then fall again - to a surprise! A swelling five-note tonic chord That's followed by suspended fourth Inverted twice, and sixth appears To tease my learning, yearning ears. The chord resolves to tonic then As voices calm to join again To rise and fall with humming still below To well-earned pause as music slows. But hold! What's this? A buzzing chord Sustains the joy of song outpoured: It fizzes in the air and ear - Confirms my love of harmony. A tonic ninth is what I glean, With fifth and seventh in between; The third is missing, but still it beats - I yearn to hear the chord complete. The quiet song goes on with simple chords Except a seventh above a ventured fourth, But slowing, hushing, to a first again, Before a plagal end: "Amen".Nefyn, August 2026
'The Lord Bless You and Keep You' in F Major was written by Paul Mealor in 2015 for performance at the 200th anniversary of the Braemar Gathering. Sung in Welsh as 'O Dduw Rhanna'th Fendithion' (Oh God Share Thy Blessings) by Côr Eifionydd at the National Eisteddfod in Llantwd, 1st August 2026.