For the first time since I arrived I finally got to my favourite spot in the Corpus library. I’m in search of information on Horace’s women, so that I can give them the opportunity to answer back in my version of Odes Book I.

I had another fascinating lunchtime chat about that very subject with Robin Nisbet on Wednesday. He’s an absolute fountain of knowledge and of course I do appreciate that it is a matter of debate about whether the named women in Horace’s Odes actually existed. One of the good things about writing poetry is that one can take liberties, so whether or not they really did exist in Horace’s poems, I have given them a life in my versions, based on information and inspiration from various Odes.

I don’t feel brave enough to share them with Robin, but have posted one in my poetry section - enjoy!