Lateral G

The Natural Party of Government?

I understand why rich people might vote Tory, but I can’t understand why poor people would do it. Is it aspiration or delusion? Here’s an instant poem on the cost of living crisis.

Out and about again yesterday evening – more Hudds Lit Fest, this time a Spoken Word night hosted by Talking Zebras. They meet a couple of times a month on Saturday afternoons at the Wickham Arms in Cleckheaton. I might go tomorrow.

http://www.talkingzebras.co.uk

My purpose with all of this is to hone some stagecraft, but it has made me realise that I’ve been in a bubble, not really exposing myself to other people’s poetry. This was partly deliberate, while I found my own voice. I think I was worried about being influenced by others and ending up sounding the same, but I don’t think that could happen now.

I’ll confess that I did think that Spoken Word as a genre all sounded too similar, but that might just be because a lot of what gets on to the radio is London-based.
It’s totally different up north and I’m really enjoying listening to such a wide variety of styles.

Huddersfield Literature Festival Poetry Open Mic

Backwards, to the Future!

Freedom, is it?

Despite all these storms, spring is in the air (just about) and it’s helping me to feel a bit more positive and creative. The truly awful behaviour of this government doesn’t help, though. This poem is to ‘celebrate’ Thursday. I’m glad that Boris feels proud of releasing us from all restrictions, including the sensible ones that were protecting public health. I’m sure the timing had nothing to do with his own parliamentary difficulties and the need to keep his lunatic backbenchers on side. So, off we go, into the unknown, where only the rich can afford to test and isolate, and everyone else is left to wander around infecting others. What could possibly go wrong?

The Warm Glow of Wood

With a heavy-bagged stagger,
I drag my hand-gathered haul
Home, to burn for warmth.
These dry winter days expose
So much combustible waste.
They say wood heats you twice,
But I find it’s thrice:
Once more for dragging it back!