I am proud to have worked together with Les to create this
blog. Having known her for about 22 years, I feel qualified to comment on the
person who has written such amazing poetry.
I first met Les when my husband and I moved into the
townhouse next-door, and Les and her husband Brian arrived on our doorstep with a cake and a warm
welcome. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship that has been
strengthened by the sharing of our various trials and tribulations.
Just six months later Les received a phone call that changed
her life forever. Her mother had committed suicide. One can never truly recover
from such an event and it has saddened me tremendously to watch
the suffering that my beloved friend has endured over the years. Her poetry speaks volumes about her pain –
and also about her will to survive. I am
astounded by her incredible capacity to use words to create a vivid picture of
her emotional life.
For some time I have
been encouraging Les to go public with her poetry - in part because I believe she is an extremely
talented poet whose work should not be hidden – and in part because I believe
that there are many people in the world who would relate to her experience and
perhaps find comfort in knowing that they are not alone.
Les holds the pain of the world on her shoulders. When my beloved granddaughter was diagnosed
with brain cancer (and tragically passed away at the age of four) Les was moved
to write five magnificent poems, all of which bring comfort to my grieving
soul Cancer, Angry, Courage, Tears and Stolen).
I am privileged to have Lesley Sher as a close friend – not only because of her talent, but because she is one of the kindest and most gentle, caring and compassionate women I've had the pleasure to know.
I wish you all the best in this venture, Les
With much love and admiration.
Adele Gould
