Patrick Hynes’ poems are partly autobiographical, inspired by family memories such as the swear box and bathtime. There are poems about school days, the pub, food, love, economics and decorating, as well as everyday observations like the Tommy Cooper Hand-dryer. The events are set in the past, the now and the future, based on both fact and fiction.

Running Around Like a Blue-Arsed Chicken was published to help raise funds for Trinity Hospice and Brian House Children's Hospice in Blackpool. All the author's income from book sales will be donated to the hospices.