Anni Wilton-Jones studied English Literature and Education for her Open University BA degree and then gained an MA in Special Educational Needs, specialising in Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia). The mother of seven children, two of whom still live with her, she lives in Ebbw Vale and works as a Learning Development Officer for RISE (a learning partnership), She is also a part-time Specialist Teacher of people with Dyslexia.

She has been a performance poet for many years and has appeared in the UK and the USA and in Ireland, where she is known as Aine an Caipin (Anne of the Cap) because of her addiction to colour-co-ordinated jockey-style caps.

Her poetry ranges from traditional forms to modern free verse, covering a wide range of subjects – domestic, demanding, intimate and international – and straying occasionally into the Welsh language.

Solo publications:

Bridges – 1999

Anam Cara – 2000; a CD

Moth – 2001; a chapbook about abuse, under the pen-name of Victoria Tims

Light Touch – 2003; a chapbook of wryly humorous poems 

Joint publications: 

This is… Salem – 1999; with poets Basil Griffiths, Claire Syder and Jeff Rees

This is… Salem – 1999; a CD, with poets Basil Griffiths, Mike Byrne, Claire Syder and Jeff Rees

Fresh Voices for Younger Listeners – 2000; with poet Mike Byrne.

Trawler Number 23 
 

leaning her loneliness 
into the scourings of the vagrant sea 
she rots her rusting course to oblivion 
trawling the sand in her last resting place 
her bulbous blue white beam belying 
the shrivelling at her seams 
the corrosion of her cabin 

she sinks slowly to starboard 
keeling towards an ebbing grave 
while the keening cry of the gulls swirls 
deafening above the defiant mast 

the trawl net shieldings on the rails 
that top the tide hold back 
the silver writhing wave of memory 
bare now and brown they rusticate 
backwatered 
their last catch caught 

forsaken: the fleet flown 
seeking the autumn herring 
while she awaits 
the winter whiting 

You can buy Anni's books here