Frome Poetry Competition
A new poetry competition for 2023 – but be quick – entries close at the end of May The Crysse Morrison Prize for Poetry, from my home town of Frome
Poetry
Poetry
Running the Streets
The photograph that accompanies this post is of the old railway crossing in Copnor, where a bridge now stands. Apart from large scale slum / post war clearances and rebuilds, many of the changes to city streets are piecemeal. A junction realigned, an old factory knocked down, a local shop converted into a house. My grandmother used to run a general store in Porchester Road, North End. I was born after it was closed, shop…
Poetry
Stories of the Portsmouth Streets
At a loose end tonight? You could always join me at the latest T’Articulation event, which is free to attend: I’ll be reading, though I haven’t decided what to go with yet. Probably something Pompey related Here’s the blurb The T’Articulation troupe are pleased to invite the well-practised and newly risen, alike, to perform their writings at this friendly event. The theme Stories of the Streets allows for a broad interpretation but will include work…
Poetry
Portsmouth Cathedral Writing Day
I’m trying to share events and activities that are happening locally that might be of interest to local writers or would-be writers who don’t have access to Facebook which is where most of them seem to be shared. Here’s an event that might be of interest to some – a day reading and writing poems at Portsmouth Cathedral on June 3rd Follow the link for details https://www.portsmouthcathedral.org.uk/portsmouth-cathedral-events/institute/six-books/23r9fdg8hukj-bg2db-t46lj-yntkr?fbclid=IwAR1ZmEYZjs3bvHgjfQzALJqpq3cCOgZw1wDHp29zCW1RmX3L4g9qfPcDV7s
Poetry
Writer in Residence – Portsmouth FC
Well It’s official now. I’m one of two writers in residence for Pompey’s 125 anniversary celebrations. You can read more via the link – it’s the same article that is appearing in the programme tomorrow. Lots more to follow, but having been at a work conference last week I have some day job recruitment planning to do this Saturday. I’m not making a living from poetry unfortunately!https://twitter.com/Pompey/status/1654561609304375298
Poetry Prose
Moments
Still time, just (until the end of today), to submit a proposal for a monologue / dual person spoken word performance piece on the theme of ‘moments’. I have submitted something (not 100% sure it’s right, but we will see). Meant to post this earlier in the week, but I’ve been away at a future tech industry summit. Much more enjoyable and interesting than it might sound!
Poetry Prose
The Front Room Part 3
I promised to share the other prose piece I read at the Front Room on Thursday. My first career was in advertising. I used to sell recruitment ad space in Computer Weekly, out of their offices in Sutton, when I lived in a horrendous bedsit in Croydon. More on that another time perhaps. The original version of this is at least ten years old. I’ve reworked it over time, and now I think I’m finally…
Poetry
Rubbernecking at the Front Room
Fabulous evening at The Front Room last night. Thanks to all the performers and audience for turning up on a wet Thursday in Southsea. Too many highlights to mention. It really was a superb evening, such a variety of different styles and voices, each with a very different take on the theme (albeit most, like mine had a very loose link to Ginsberg’s Howl !). The main headliner by Geoff Allnutt, AKA The Speech Painter…
Poetry
Tonight at the Front Room
Just confirmed a new name to the Front Room’s ‘Howl ‘ themed line up, the award winning local poet Tessa Foley. Other guests include headliner and winner of multiple slam events: The Speech Painterplus :Jackson DaviesJanet Ayers Million Pebble Beach Sam Cox Plus Open Mic (register on the night , max 4 minutes)Tickets £4 on the door only (opens 6.45pm, starts 7.15pm)Venue: Hunter Gatherer ”I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical…
Poetry
After the Decision
Here’s a poem that was first published in Poetry and all that Jazz last year. The title is meant to be ambiguous. I wanted to use the title to add a layer or layers of different potential interpretations. What decision, and who has made it? And does the ending refer to the decision itself or the narrators reaction to it? Is it a reaction to the Kestrel or the prey? Or is the whole poem…