Dana Smith is a Quaker poet who lives in Devon England. In a world of high speed she is privileged to be able to move slower than most while still on her own two feet.
She was born in Virginia and moved to Exeter 25 years ago; her American family live near blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
She enjoys experimenting in a variety of art forms , including gardening and poetry. In the current climate crisis she is particularly interested in giving voice to the beauty and the disappearances of species on Earth.
Through her friendships and community, she tries to maintain an equilibrium between awareness and gratitude.
The Quaker encouragement to walk cheerfully through the world greeting that of God in everyone you meet most days keeps her from falling into despair.
Her Yorkshire born husband Nigel also lightens her vision and her days.
She has published five books including Secret Rooms: poems written against domestic violence, with three other poets.
Her work has mainly been published in America and in the United Kingdom where it has won various awards. She has enjoyed some writing fellowships at the Virginia Centre for contemporary arts and Hawthornden Castle in Scotland.
She writes essays and poetry for the Quaker magazine The Friend.
A happy day is one in which she can walk beside the wild Atlantic and slip into its waves.