I am a secondary English teacher of over thirty year’s experience who lives in East Sussex with my wife. When I am not working, I write short stories and poetry. My collection of poems based on Old Testament stories called ‘Ichabod and Other Voices’ reflects my interest in the way in which the mundane and inconsequential co-exists alongside the deeply profound or spiritually and historically significant. The 'Veneer' poems explore how we build identities and ascribe the deepest significance to life and our personas. They have all been suggested by reflecting on the powerful ideas suggested in paintings which unlock our humanity.