Now and Then

£12.00

Now and Then
adult poetry
ISBN 978-1-0686052-3-9 | 130pp | pb | 2025
rrp £12.00 | ebook £6.99
New Title - Published 10 March 2025

Director and screenwriter Billy Wilder said, on his 92nd birthday, “I think I wasted my eighties.”

Motivated by Wilder’s disclosure as he approached his own eighth decade, actor, director, and writer Leigh Lawson embarked on a quest to assemble some of his previously unpublished poems, written during an astonishing 60-year career.

This captivating first collection is accompanied by a background of fascinating memories, intriguing stories, and anecdotes from around the time of each poem’s appearance.

Sometimes very funny, sometimes alarmingly moving, Now and Then is the extraordinary journey of a life from poverty and abuse to achievement and fulfilment, throughout which poetry has played a major role.

“A beguiling collection with a huge heart: there really is something for everyone here.” Kitty Aldridge

“Leigh Lawson illustrates each poem with great stories. I love this book.” Allie Esiri

“These are beautiful poems that will lift your spirits and make you laugh and cry and think. Leigh Lawson’s poetry is a real discovery – funny, touching, original, thought-provoking.” Gyles Brandreth

"A gem of a book; his love of life shines strong and the accompanying anecdotes and memories all reveal a life lived to the full with both humour and deep emotion.” Caroline Hutton