Johnmichael Simon was born in Northampton, England, grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa. At age 18 he came to live in Israel, served in the army. His profession until retirement in 2006, technical writing. He lives in the village of Metulla, Israel on the border of Lebanon, with fellow poet and artist Helen Bar-Lev, their cats and a dog. John writes poetry every day; some of it wins prizes and honorable mentions in anthologies in Israel and abroad. He is a member of the board of 'Voices' the Israeli English speaking poetry group and has published several illustrated books of poetry including Silly Wishes, a book of children's verse and Cyclamens and Swords and Other Poems About the Land of Israel (Ibbetson Press, Boston, Mass., USA) in collaboration with Helen Bar-Lev. John has been guest poet at readings in England, the US and Canada and contributes to numerous Internet publications and print Anthologies.
