This is self explanatory really. I decided tonight to have a go at a self portrait l, never attempted one before. Just figured F around and find out eh!

Greetings and Salutations, to one and all.

As some of you may know, I’ve always loved taking photographs. The camera phone, for me, was the greatest advancement in this field. It meant I didn’t need to worry about missing a random photo session.

Until recently, I’d not really shown any of them off other than to my family and friends… or just myself. A few of them have said I’ve “got a good eye”, which is really kind and a bit surprising to me. So I decided to start looking at it more seriously, experimenting with lenses like a macro, fisheye and a 13x, tripods and all sorts of other goodies.

So, here are a few examples of my work…

Recently, I sat down and put a few words together to express how I was feeling about things that were going on in my personal life, I sent this scribble to Mrs Bob and a couple of close friends, whose opinions on my work I’ve always valued and appreciated. I was honestly not ready for their response later that evening, as they blew me away by saying this…

“We love it, We want it read out at our send offs when we peg out.”

I was totally shocked by this kind of response to what was in effect a quick rough idea, as a result I decided to share it with you. It’s called Ghost

Ghost

Wandering these lonely rooms

Forever, desperately chasing

One more fleeting, ghostly

Memory of happier times.

Searching for company,

Since the day I lost you.

My best friend, companion,

Lover, my whole multiverse.

A once warm and happy home,

Reduced to a house, now you’re gone.

Now no more than a cold, empty

Darkened mausoleum, without you.

Gradually, as sunset spreads

I see you once more. The waking

Nightmare is over for now.

At least, until I open my eyes again…

(C)BobChristian2023

This is a very touchy subject, it’s also one that people feel uncomfortable having, which can lead to self harm even suicide. I myself am a survivor & as such I wished I’d spoken out at the time. Silence Is what these creatures depend on, so while you may feel like you can’t tell anyone, you’ll thank yourself in the future. BC x

Hearts is racing, it’s beating,
Trying to escape My chest.
Fighting to breathe, trying

To catch my breath, it slips
Through sweat drenched
Palms. I can’t calm down

I’m terrified. Although you,
Maybe unable to see, it’s
Eating away at me, slowly

Clamps it’s hands over my
Lips. Forcing me to silence,
So I can never speak out.

About
The things you did

Over the years I toyed about with photography, and editing, whether I was on holiday, or out and about in deepest darkest Derbyshire, where I grew up. I’ve started to share these pictures on my social media feeds, but not my website. So it’s time to change that.

I mainly shoot with an iPhone 11, using a camera app called Halide. For water marks, I use photoshop express. I’m no David Bailey for sure, but I’m happy enough with the final results.

(C) BobChristianPhotography

This is an open letter to someone who was a great friend to me. They gave me the confidence to pursue my sporting hobby, and coached me to the point that I was really starting to make progress in leaps and bounds.

Dear ***

First, thank you for the love, friendship and help you’ve given me over the years. You were like a younger brother to me; you never judged me for my eccentric behaviour, or my last minute cancellation of plans due to my autism getting the better of me. We shared some great banter and jokes on and offline. You were someone I felt I could almost be myself around, which is very rare, and this is the thing I miss the most about our relationship. I miss your lovely mum too.

I know that you’re upset with me because I wasn’t honest with you, both with things about me, and about certain events in my private life. I didn’t mean to cause you any upset. The first stems from not believing I’m good enough. The second… I realise now that I wasn’t in a good place mentally, and shouldn’t have continued down the path I was hell bent on traveling down at that time. I didn’t listen to anyone or even my own inner voice. I really regret the whole awful debacle and the pain I caused to many people. It was a stupid and damaging mistake.

I tried to message you once I came to my senses, to apologise for that, and for disrespecting so many things about my relationships at the time, including our friendship. However, I think you’ve either blocked me or just ignored it. That’s your prerogative and I respect that, but please know that I’m still hurting over the loss of your friendship.

I hope that in time you’ll be able to forgive, forget and move forward with our friendship again. Until then, thank you for the friendship we had and all you did for me. Please know that I’m always around if you ever want to grab a hammer and nails to rebuild this bridge… I wish you so much happiness in your future with your wonderful lady.

Stay Safe Brother x

Today is a very special day… Mrs Bob & I literally tied the knot. Although we were legally married over nine years ago, we wanted to renew our vows and so we had a handfasting ceremony today. If you’re unfamiliar with the term then allow me to explain..

A handfasting is an ancient European ceremony of betrothal or wedding that dates back to pre-Medieval times and usually involves the tying or binding of the hands of the bride and groom with a cord or ribbon. Such ceremonies are widely practised in the pagan community.

I wrote a heartfelt scribble, which also turned out to be my vows to Mrs Bob. So to my wonderful wife, friend, co-author of my autobiography and soulmate, I give you “These Hands”.

These Hands

These hands holding yours,
Will always show you love,
Kindness, comfort, safety and
Refuge from life’s many storms

I’ll use these hands to build
Our future together as one,
Holding you, caressing you…
Only you, like no other has.

These hands will give you
Strength when you’re weary,
Motivation and support as
You chase your dreams.

Until wrinkled by the ages,
I will always be reaching
Out to you, with silent comfort
With just a single touch.

May we grow old together
As do the stars.
May we, like the sun,
Light each other’s days

Until we rest at last
In that eternal night,
Together. Twin flames,
Burning as one.

I’d like to take the time to wish you all a very Happy New Year, this year has been a tough one physically, emotionally & spiritually. After all that, comes a time to reflect on the last 12 months, but rather than dwell on those mistakes & failings, I want to use them as a valuable lesson, as I regroup and rebuild.

I’d like to thank my truly amazing wife, co-pilot, and co-author of my life, Mrs Bob. You have had faith in me every step of the way, even when I didn’t myself. You are a truly beautiful soul and my twin flame. Thank you for loving me so much, as we look forward to building a wonderful year together.

Happy New Year & Stay Safe x

Mr & Mrs Bob

This is an open letter to my family, friends and to anyone who knew him. Those of you who know me personally, will know just how much I loved, adored and respected my late grandfather, Walter S Christian. He was, and still is, a role model and the benchmark of what a gentleman should be. He has had a huge hand in creating the man I am today. I’ve got lots of lovely memories of our time together, and just writing this makes me very emotional because…

The last time I saw him, was during a visit to see him in hospital on my way to Nottingham with a mate on our motorcycles, to spend another Saturday afternoon being Mallrats. I got my grandad a paper, and spent some quality time with him. When I left, he turned and said (unbeknownst to me) his final words to me. “You will come and see me again, won’t you son?” To which I replied “I promise.”  Little did I know I’d never get to tell him how much I loved him. This is a burden  that I’ve carried for a number of years. Fortunately when his wife, my grandma, passed away I was able to tell her.

As I said, I’ve lots of lovely memories of the man who’s the inspiration behind my whole brand. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind me using the family name for my brand of poetry, and creativity. As he was a very talented artist, I have a few of his works in my home. He used to spend time with me at the kitchen table, helping me to paint my latest Warhammer figure from Games Workshop. He spent a lot of time in the shed and greenhouse. I digress down Memory Lane… but although I have all these lovely memories of my grandad, I’d like to ask   you – my family, friends and those reading this who knew Walter, to share any memories, or  information – anything you might know about Walter S Christian with me. 

Email them to me at 

BobChristianpoetry@gmail.com

Thank you so much. It will mean the world to me. 

Bob-Christian.com

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