Octave

Tom retired from the Fire Service in 2009 after thirty years’ service. Tom now spends his time hill walking, swimming, scuba diving and writing poetry. Tom has an honours degree in science from the Open University and has a keen interest in science, international affairs, art and music. Tom lives in Edinburgh with his wife Hilary; they have two grown up daughters.

Octave began as a collection of songs before Tom Kerr realised that poetry offered an alternative medium for much that he wanted to write about.

This wonderful collection of songs and poetry was inspired by the work of the Pre-Raphaelite artists. Themes include Greek mythology, great characters from English Literature, some of history’s most famous heroes as well as less heroic episodes in our history. All of this is combined with Kerr’s personal experiences of apathy, loneliness, loss, ageing, defeatism, greed and ambition.