About your Poet
Hello! My name is Heather Rose, and I launched my custom poetry service, Purple Poetry, to facilitate accessible and meaningful connections through poetry.
Purple Poetry began at local market events and was officially launched at the Flare* Wellbeing Festival at Summerhall. The buzz I felt from hearing strangers’ stories was totally addictive, and the softening looks on people’s faces when they read the line that just hit for them, affirmed my passion to continue Purple Poetry’s adventures.
I moved from handwriting poems to typewriting on a vintage typewriter. This decision tapped into the aesthetically-driven event market that we see today, and has seen me take the business to weddings, launch events, pop-ups, celebrations, holistic retreats, and cafes across Scotland and England. Adding the typewriter to my toolbox has been an exciting way to start conversations for folks of all ages - from those who learned to use typewriters in school, to youngsters fascinated by my “suuuper old computer”.
I studied at Queen Margaret University’s Business School in Edinburgh, and learned about contemporary events management and business conduct. This has been invaluable to my work on Purple Poetry, including my specialisation in sustainable practices, which has informed my zero-waste approach.
Purple Poetry combines my love for poetry with my extroverted personality and passion for people. Performing at local open mics became a hotpot of inspiration and encouragement to continue sharing my work. I received unexpected praise and saw the many forms that “poetry appreciators” can take. People told me they resonated with my work, and that I could “put feelings to words they couldn’t articulate before”. I feel that being seen through someone else’s art is a soul-rejuvenating gem. To have this feeling reach you through someone else’s words is magic, and you don’t need to write or even love poetry to feel that spark.
After around a year of Purple Poetry events, I found myself reflecting on my skills in openness and empathy. I began studying Counselling and Psychotherapy in Edinburgh, and found that my learning here became an asset to the Purple Poetry journey. I felt my connectivity with customers deepening, and the pure love surrounding my commissions was glowing. This motivated me to take the services to the most pivotal love-centred events: weddings. This brought a new level to the Purple Poetry experience that totally invigorated me; my clients and their guests often mention Purple Poetry as the most unforgettable part of their events.
Joining forces with Loud Poets is a welcome recognition of the hard work I’ve put into building Purple Poetry. Working with the organisation that helped inspire its existence is a dream, and I am delighted to be combining Loud Poets’ prestige, experience, and expansive poetry network, with my innovation, passion, and purpleness.
It has been a wonderful journey so far. I’m grateful for all the stories I have heard, the hugs, the tears, the laughter, and the people coming back years later to update me on their lives, and commission an extension to their previously told tales.
As I reflect on the personal and professional growth of Purple Poetry, I feel so proud of both myself and the courageous vulnerability of strangers (who don’t feel like strangers when we part). I have learned that meaningful connection is only a word away, and that people love the colour purple.
