The First Dazzling Chill of Winter – Collected Stories

These volumes form part of Nicholas Hagger's prodigious output of 40 books, including 2,000 poems and 1,200 stories. The most recent collection contains 201 stories, and, as the title suggests, evokes the chill of winter or impending old age through the eyes of Philip Rawley. As Nicholas remarks, the observational powers of the poet and writer are far more developed, so that he sees more everyday events. Many of the stories are very short with vivid dialogue between the characters, while some evoke memories of chance encounters. The theme of old age and death recurs in different contexts, as does Nicholas' perennial search for unity and quest for wisdom. The title 'Life Cycle' reflects path and pattern in our lives in terms of 12 seven-year ages, and this collection contains three volumes with different focuses – 'In Harmony with the Universe', 'An Unsung Laureate' concerned with public events such as Margaret Thatcher's funeral and 'Adventures in Paradise' depicting journeys to remote places. Nicholas is inspired by the 17th-century metaphysical poets and the reconciliation between inner and outer aspects of life. Here is one evocative example:

River, Headlong

How fast the river flows, Rushing through stones, an urge Headlong in movement's flux, Relentless, restless surge.

And where did my life go Rushing headlong, doing? Where was there time to be, Still as a stone, musing?

I sit, still as a stone, As the torrent froths by. All lives rush to their end, Both man's and moth's – oh, why?