Lines of a Lifetime

John Coutts is a poet, linguist performer and translator who uses the classic verse forms of English poetry to create work that appeals to the reader and listener alike. The book contains poems about people and places from Burns to Betjeman, and from Roman Britain to Nigeria during the civil war. Christmas, Easter and St. Valentine’s Day are celebrated, and a number of translations illustrate the genius of Alexander Pushkin. Crafted with passion, skill and humour. These poems bear witness to a love of literature and a lifetime of Christian service.

“‘When I’m older I think I would like to be a poet’. John Coutts inspired the children in my junior school in Kent introduced them to a whole new world of their own creation, a world of magic and wonder.”

Rosemary Dymond, Head Teacher, Riverview School, Gravesend.

“Pushkin is not well known outside Russia and I appreciate very much a new interpretation of his poetic legacy by someone who is a talented poet himself and a connoisseur of Russian poetry.”

Dr.Mikhail Roshchin – Senior Research Fellow of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Blurb for

Was that me? Memories of a long-spent youth

“This is a book about a life lived in the world of Literature, and in world literature. Although John is a linguist and translator, he has become a playwright and poet for the city of Stirling where he now lives, breathing life into the forgotten work of Dougal Graham, teaching the works of the Scottish Makars and the love of poetry to the younger generation”

Dr. Elspeth King, Director, The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum

Book review

EVERYCHILD AND OTHER POEMS

‘A pick and mix of rhythm and rhyme, light laughs and something a bit more serious, this is the latest collection of verse from local writer John Coutts.

With poems that touch on history, politics and religion. A book that sits something as enjoyably silly and “How to pronounce the names of famous Greeks without sounding silly”, between the same covers as “In memory of Samir Ibrahim Salman“, about the shooting of a Bethlehem church bell ringer, probably shouldn’t work.

And yet it does.

As the above demonstrates, snappy titles may not always be Coutts’ strong point. But, ultimately, stimulating subject matter and an overwhelming sense of positivity are a winning combination.

Parents and teachers might be particularly interested to know about the series of witty and engaging poems demystifying the structural aspects of poems in general.’

– Gregor White, The Stirling Observer

John Coutts

I am a poet, performer, author and translator. I’ve written extensively for BBC radio and published books and articles in the fields of literature and religion. I am also Poet-in-Residence at the Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Stirling.

As a poet, I believe that obscurity is not profundity, and that obscenity is not originality. I write in ‘traditional’ metres – and many of my poems are intended for public performance as well as private reading.

My solo show – “A Box of Surprises – an entertainment in poetry and story-telling” – provides plenty of opportunity for the audience to take part. It has been presented in schools, clubs, churches and theatres, I recently joined forces with the Syrian guitarist, Ayman Jarjour, to present “Sounds and Sweet Airs” as a fund-raiser for aid to the Middle East.

My qualifications include a first class degree in English Language and Literature from Oxford University. I am also a linguist – a number of my translations from Russian appear in: The Complete Works of Alexander Pushkin in English” – Published by Milner & Co..

I have enjoyed a long career as a freelance scriptwriter and broadcaster – my “Thought for the Day” is – a frequent feature on BBC Radio Scotland’. I have also written many ‘News Assembly’ scripts for schools, published online by Optimus Education

I’ve served as Chair of the Writer’s for Peace Committee of Scottish PEN – contributing to the “Power of Goodness” project: – a trilingual scheme provides teaching material for use in schools in Chechnya