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About me My story

UPDATE (25nd July):

We'd love you to send more "important words" to this page so people around the world can read them! ;-)

Thank you everyone so far, my wife tells me I have some fantastic words and comments to read out on Monday (4-5pm).

Alan

UPDATE (22nd July):

I'd like as many people as possible to send me "important words" and I will read out as many as I can during my hour on the plinth.

What's important to you that can be summed up in just one single word?

Is it a word that's important to the world, or is it something personal like someone's name?

All of your important words are welcome whoever you are. You can give a reason why the word is important to you, but you don't have to. You can include your name, or remain anonymous.

Email your important words to: importantword@withwords.org.uk by 4pm Monday 27th July, or give them to myself or my wife in Trafalgar Square between noon and four o'clock - we'll be the ones collecting important words.

All the words will be "scrapbooked" afterwards for posterity.

Alan Summers

email: importantword@withwords.org.uk

website: http://www.withwords.org.uk

I'm Alan Summers a writer and poet who loves to be involved with people and events in order to promote the love of words. I often encourage people not to be intimidated by words (spoken or written) or put off by poetry. I often use my experience as a published haiku poet to break the ice with people who were put off poetry at school, or intimidated by poetry at formal events.

There is something about the direct simplicity of haiku poetry that connects to people even if they don't like poetry, or don't have time for books be they poetry, fiction, or non-fiction.

I plan to get help from anyone who is in Trafalgar Square to have a large number of words recorded that captures what people are feeling about themselves, their family, their hopes and worries.

How will I do this? It's still evolving. Please watch this space. ;-)

Comments

At 07:55, 15 September 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thank you Dina!

We are always interested in important words so do please keep sending them in! ;-)

Alan

http://www.withwords.org.uk

http://area17.blogspot.com

.
At 19:21, 11 September 2009 Dina E. Cox wrote:

If in fact the plinth is still going on, I'd like to offer a word, two, actually. I am a Canadian recently in the U.K. My first word is a word my mother-in-law, a lovely woman, calls her favourite word ever. She lives in New Brunswick, Canada, and she has been known to tell this word to complete strangers in elevators (I think she has poetry in her heart)... her word is "Rapture." I am myself a Canadian poet, and in fact was in Trafalgar Square early in September, over there for my anniversary... I did not, regrettably, pass near the plinth... so were I to offer a word, it is "regret" - a word I have very little affinity with, as when I chose to do things, I so choose with committment and desire. However, it is a word to be respected, so that we never have to endure it. And if you say it, the two r's feel really substantial, rolling round one's mouth. So in the end, I a Canadian, offer "regret" in the hope no one will ever need feel it, and "rapture," my mother-in-law's favourite word, in the hope all will know its fullness.Thank you, Dina (pronounced Dinah).
At 08:27, 19 August 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thank you Charles! Yes, important words, and so many important people behind those words.

It's great that you had such a good time, and just help to show that Antony Gormley's idea has really made such an impact to so many of us.

all my best,

Alan

http://area17.blogspot.com

.
At 11:48, 17 August 2009 Charles Aitken wrote:

Alan, it was serendipity that I got to see your plinth spot - I came across after watching my friend's mum's plinth spot. Marvellous! I learnt about and was reminded of forgiveness, love, compassion, Jesus, harmony, LIFE, empathy, memory, more love, more compassion, friendship, more forgiveness, about transgendered, deaf, aphasia, leukaemia, sign language, love poetry, sunshine, happiness, abundance, integrity and gratitude. Thank you!
At 13:31, 12 August 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thanks tc, we are still collecting important words and will certainly collect your's as well. ;-)

Alan

http://www.withwords.org.uk

http://area17.blogspot.com

.
At 07:55, 11 August 2009 tc wrote:

I think 'serendipity' and 'thank you' have already been suggested, but may I contribute the word CREATIVITY - something we all have in us and which should be encouraged to be let out more! Excellent work on the plinth it was great seeing you on the BBC news item even if I couldn't see it live. Well done.
At 09:45, 10 August 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thank you Caroline, we can always do with big-hearted generous words! ;-)

Alan
At 13:24, 05 August 2009 Caroline Gill wrote:

My words (hard to choose one over the other) are 'Bountiful' and 'Manifold'. Both are big-hearted generous words.
At 12:14, 05 August 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Dear Selma Star,

What a wonderful message from you, thank you!

The person who sent me the important word, as you know, had autism as well.

I have done events where people with asperger syndrome performed haiku. I didn't know at the time that they did! I remember saying to colleagues how good the group were, and it was their time ever reading poetry live. Since then I have other people with asperger syndrome be involved with my haiku poetry events. I only know afterwards, and always surprised how quickly they click with haiku.

Please do check out my blog for haiku events you could get to: http://area17.blogspot.com

You sound like a wonderful person who will reach their potential, you are very brave, and I know things will come your way. Keep in touch, just check my Area 17 blog and my With Words website: http://www.withwords.org.uk

and write a few haiku! ;-)

all my very best in admiration,

Alan
At 11:23, 05 August 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thank you Rodger,

Yes, better late than never. ;-) Thank you for your important word 'late' which will be collected for your archive scrap book! ;-)

Alan
At 11:22, 05 August 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thank you Lizzie for your fine word and telling us about the brave Kurdish peoples.

Alan
At 23:38, 04 August 2009 Pippin wrote:

Thanks.
At 23:01, 04 August 2009 Selma Star wrote:

I was in London and seen you live. I have watched you on the internet after I returned home in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

You presentation was brilliant. I a pity it was not heard much in Trafalgar Sqaure live as the sound system was not very clear. Every word was clear on the internet.

I have learned about SERENDIPITY.

I am pleased to hear a work put in for autistic people who should not be 'cured' or aborted because society should learn to accept them. I have asperger syndrome, high-functioning form od autism and suffered always suffered sociel exclusion and still looking for meaning in life and for a way to turn it around. I hope to find it one day before too many more years of my life are out. Please SOCIETY, give people like me a chance and accept us who are autistic. It is not a crime to be different, please stop trating us so badly as you do.

I like the note about BALANCE and equallibrium. Very philosophical. Wonderful.

Great words. And keep it going, keep echoeing them out. The good words this world needs to hear.
At 18:04, 04 August 2009 rodger wrote:

yo ! plinth charming my word is late ! better late than.....see you soon very busty ! hi karen xxx.
At 11:36, 04 August 2009 Lizzie Squire wrote:

My word is ASHTI . It is the first word I learnt in Kurdish in 2000 which means PEACE . This was from a wonderful Kurdish family belonging to a very couragous Kurdish broadcaster who risked his life daily to try and tell his listeners how things really were over in IRAQ . He even felt unsafe in England when he only just managed to escape assination to arrive here alive . Most of his friends in the media had already disapeared some even from what they thought was the safe haven of England . He was more than happy to see the war start and Saddam at long last getting some sort of justice.

ASHTI in IRAN also means PEACE BETWEEN PEOPLE .

My adorable purry pussy is also called ASHTI ! ; - )
At 16:21, 03 August 2009 lizziesquire wrote:

my word is Ashti because in the middle east it means Peace . In persian it means peace between people . It is also mu pussy cats name ! x
At 02:58, 03 August 2009 devika wrote:

My words: Perspective, Simple, Serenity

i came from Ralf's :)

wishes,

devika
At 09:39, 02 August 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thank you Carol! I'm still collecting important words and the comments and feelings behind the important words. Everything will be collected.

Alan
At 02:39, 02 August 2009 Carol Raisfeld wrote:

Alan, my words are:

Remembering . . .

. . . and being Remembered

It's so wonderful remembering a kindness from yesterday or a love from long ago...and it fills one's heart to be remembered.

I love reading all these important words...thank you.;-)
At 15:48, 31 July 2009 pat wrote:

chihuahua
At 14:21, 31 July 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thank you Lorri! Thank you for your important word, and for your gorgeous smile in Trafalgar Square. I hope you continued to have a great birthday, say hi from me to your son! ;-) You both entered the spirit of the event beautifully! ;-)
At 13:45, 31 July 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thank you for your continuing comments!

If you'd like to see just how much I love your important words and comments you can see a BBC interview at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8176398.stm

Please do keep sending comments and words to my Plinth page, I love it, and will archive them all!

Alan
At 12:14, 31 July 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thank you V. Alison Taylor (angry poet), although you sound anything but angry. ;-)

I really appreciate comments like this, thank you! The vehicle wasn't scary as I had very nice OneandOther crew members like Klaus and Miguel, Emilio, with me. ;-)

Alan
At 16:38, 30 July 2009 Lorri Young wrote:

Alan, my word for you is fandabidozey. Many thanks for providing such a wonderful hour for me and my son on my 60th birthday.
At 22:11, 29 July 2009 V. Alison Taylor wrote:

scratch that last question - I got the video to load properly and I was able to see the start of thevideo - and how you got up there! scary!
At 22:10, 29 July 2009 V. Alison Taylor wrote:

I love your "important word collector" concept. And I loved your time on the plinth! I found it interesting to hear other people's important words and their reasons for choosing them. Well done! A very unique piece of "performance art" - and you were so very friendly! by the way, how did you get up there?
At 22:07, 29 July 2009 V. Alison taylor wrote:

My word for you is "Peace" which I think is so important today - even though my blog has nothing to do with peace! Hee hee! I definitely strive for personal peace and pray for world peace. yes, I'm an angry poet that prays for peace!
At 17:12, 29 July 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thanks again for all the comments, I do come back and enjoy reading all the new comments and important words.

Alan
At 11:28, 29 July 2009 Narayanan Raghunathan wrote:

My words

Infinite

Silence

Truth
At 09:15, 29 July 2009 Jens-Chr. kjaer (Ashi) wrote:

Important words from Trafalgar Square, Live with many holes and long pauses – at least in my case – apparently slow connection to the Internet which made the event intolerable to listen to, sorry I am for this outcome, but I’m sure that Allan and the people at the spot had a good and profitable hour at Trafalgar Square, London.

Words spoken

one for all and all for one

beware of this spirit

- just for record I got my son off the internet connection - that helped a lot :)
At 09:12, 29 July 2009 Jens-Chr. Kjaer (Ashi) wrote:

Important words from Trafalgar Square, Live with many holes and long pauses – at least in my case – apparently slow connection to the Internet which made the event intolerable to listen to, sorry I am for this outcome, but I’m sure that Allan and the people at the spot had a good and profitable hour at Trafalgar Square, London

Words spoken

one for all and all for one

beware of this spirit

-

Just for the record - I got my son of the internet line that help a lot :)
At 23:14, 28 July 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thank you for all the great words and comments, I really appreciate it.

I'm going to save all the important words because we had hundreds I couldn't read them all out in time! ;-)

Thank you all so much for your kindness and thoughtfulness.

Alan
At 21:33, 27 July 2009 Julia Warin wrote:

Well done Alan. sorry I missed it live, as I was away from internet access at Womad. Don't forget my word is AND, and
At 19:47, 27 July 2009 Liz b wrote:

mizzle...that's fine rain...
At 16:38, 27 July 2009 judi wrote:

My word for you "Great!". Loved this :)
At 13:14, 27 July 2009 Jen wrote:

One of my favourite plinth-ers so far!

Well done at least you did something original - some lovely thoughts.
At 12:47, 27 July 2009 sue wrote:

my word is... stop... as in rushing around... stop to listen .. stop to think... stop to enjoy... stop to spend an hour on a plinth..
At 12:38, 27 July 2009 jill333 wrote:

Aspirations is my word Alan - thanks for emailing my site! Have a good one!
At 12:27, 27 July 2009 helene knos wrote:

my words are love and serenity and peace love for nature and all living things and serenity is just a nother word for peace
At 12:22, 27 July 2009 michael Boudewyns wrote:

Watching from the state of Delaware! We loves words, literature, and stories. We looking forward to your contribution. Our words are:

*Inventive

*Playful

*Creative

*Imaginative

*Inspiring

www.ReallyInventiveStuff.com
At 10:52, 27 July 2009 Lee wrote:

EQUALITY - it's what it's all about... what a great idea, thank you.
At 09:39, 27 July 2009 Paul Conneally wrote:

heart
At 07:07, 27 July 2009 David Herring wrote:

fail again, fail better
At 06:01, 27 July 2009 J. Andrew Lockhart wrote:

Alen- this is such a wonderful idea! I hope I'm not too late. My word is the mascot for my collage that I attended for 7 years.

RAZORBACK
At 00:49, 27 July 2009 Rachael Schooling wrote:

HOPE - This word is important to me as it fills me with the feeling that things can get better.
At 23:38, 26 July 2009 nikki wrote:

MORGAN.......the sweet greyhound who came to us frightened, sad and so alone. Maybe next time someone bets on one of these lovely creatures they will remember the thousands that are 'disposed' of when they've finished making money for people. MORGAN who is happy and safe now. One of the lucky ones.

Greyhound Rescue.
At 23:28, 26 July 2009 nikki wrote:

Nikki - because she's my wife.

Merv
At 05:22, 26 July 2009 Wahyu wrote:

My words are giving and forgiving. Please take them with you, Alan..
At 04:33, 26 July 2009 Vic Gendrano wrote:

Hi Alan,

My most important word is LOVE and if I were to qualify it, I would say, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Conversely, the absence of hate. My second word would be POETRY without which life would be dull for me as a writer and/or reader.
At 00:40, 26 July 2009 Nancy wrote:

A couple of words of importance:

trust--if you lose that, it is difficult to ever fully retrieve

integrity--doing what's right even if no one is watching (again, something easily lost and never quite regained)
At 19:15, 25 July 2009 Mike Keville wrote:

Here you go Alan as promised

Best words:

FAMILY; to me it means everything

WORK; is my everyday word

CANCER; is the word I don’t like to use; but have too!
At 19:12, 25 July 2009 Mike Keville wrote:

Here you go Alan as promised

Best words:

FAMILY; to me it means everything

WORK; is my everyday word

CANCER; in the word I don’t like to use but have too!
At 12:15, 25 July 2009 Hiroshi Kiuchi wrote:

hello!

My word is "thanks to " in Japanease "感射".

thank you.
At 10:08, 25 July 2009 Claire wrote:

Hi Alan, Daisy and my and Matt's most important word is 'us' - rather than me. Thinking about how sharing and togetherness is key to happiness.

We'd be delighted to have it said on the 4th plinth. We are in London 12-15 Aug - when are you on?

xx
At 08:14, 25 July 2009 Moira Richards wrote:

Hi Alan, my word for me for you is 'family'. No reason, no explanation, just that it answers your question,

'What I mean by an important word - but if you were in a life threatening situation and you had to center yourself, in that weird centre of calm (there is one, trust me) what would you discover is your definitive important word, stripped of all artifice, bared down to the bone of your existance?"

family

Good luck out there on your plinth - not sure how much of it I'll get to see from this far edge of Africa but I'll come looking :-)

xx, moi
At 07:35, 25 July 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thanks Ronda! I've learned something new which I feel I should have known, that's great! ;-)
At 17:42, 24 July 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thanks to Deborah Harvey!

Deborah has requested that I sign British Sign Language for poetry:

"The word for poetry is the shape for infinity drawn in the air with the right hand with the left held horizontally beneath like the page of a book."

If there are any other BSL poets or anyone else who is deaf, please let me have your words!

I was involved with the first ever U.K. BSL haiku festival which was very very special, so please send requests in! ;-)
At 17:12, 24 July 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thanks Norman, love it! ;-)
At 16:26, 24 July 2009 Norman Darlington wrote:

'yo' (代) is my word, Alan. Superficially, it's just the Japanese word for 'world', but it has multilayered connotations, translating -depending on context- as generation, era, age, society. It's a strong keyword in classical renga, categorising a verse as 'lamentation' by its appearance.

Wishing you all the best on the plinth!

Norman
At 16:20, 24 July 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thanks Verona! ;-)
At 15:53, 24 July 2009 Ronda Wicks wrote:

Hi Alan, Here is an important word: Concupiscence. We all have it and act upon it in one way or another. It ensures procreation and is the inspiration behind many creative works. It can be positively or negative and produce both ecstasy and trauma. Depending on the situation, It may be desirable or punishable. A very powerful force throughout history.
At 15:23, 24 July 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thanks for all the comments! ;-)

Janet (Parfitt) what a wonderful word and wonderful comment, I love it, it's so true isn't it? Thank you for this.

Alan
At 15:18, 24 July 2009 Hazel hammond wrote:

please take KINDNESS with you .. very important ...
At 14:55, 24 July 2009 Karen Summers wrote:

Thank you so much for everybody's words. Some of the words given and the reasons for choosing them are astonishingly moving.

Please keep them coming, and please pledge to watch the live online broadcast via the box above.

Thanks for everybody's support. Karen
At 12:59, 24 July 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thanks for the comment martin, maybe Anthony Gormley could be enticed to something in New York?

You're right, it would be brilliant if it happened there after the terrible 911 situation. New Yorkers deserve good things to happen, still remember my fantastic time there.

Alan
At 12:56, 24 July 2009 Alan Summers wrote:

Thanks Lynne, duly recorded for this Monday! ;-)

I think I'll bring my raincoat just in case though. ;-)

Alan

www.withwords.org.uk
At 21:16, 23 July 2009 Verona Bass wrote:

My important word is 'flow'

When one is in a state of 'flow' everything feels right, any activity has meaning and there is no strain to it. It's a state of being able to judge instinctively how to make marks, compose poetry or prose, create new arrangements, say good things.
At 11:01, 23 July 2009 Janet Parfitt wrote:

My important work is Dignity because I strongly believe that everyone deserves to have their dignity respected and this is the basis of human rights. If everyone respected each other's dignity the world would be a better place.
At 10:45, 23 July 2009 Ron Moss wrote:

Hey Alan,

A big high five from down under!

Good luck with this and I hope it is a sucess :-)

Cheers,

Ron Moss
At 09:33, 23 July 2009 Karen Summers wrote:

Looking forward to Monday, some great words are coming in to the email address.

K x
At 19:08, 22 July 2009 martin wrote:

What a great idea! I didn't know what a plinth was until a participating friend told us on Facebook about this event. I'm originally from Manhattan and I wish someone from New York could develop a similar event.
At 18:25, 22 July 2009 Lynne Stone wrote:

my word is "dialogue"

Wising you all the best and a sunny day.
At 16:00, 22 July 2009 Karen Summers wrote:

Hey, plinth charming, are you gonna buy me a drink? It's home-time.

K x