Lateral G

A poem about my mother’s response to a terminal diagnosis.  A lesson to us all!

I got Gobby in The Lobby, supporting the excellent Helen Ivory and Martin Figuera!  A lovely night, with the usual high quality open mic to top it off.  And what about the souvenir? My very own commemorative mug – with our mug shots on it!  Fantastic!

And, finally, ‘Self Care for Healthcare’ has been retired.  It went down well with audiences, and scored in slams, but I’ve seen people keeping poems going forever because of that – and that isn’t going to be me. 

There were 11 months between the first and last outing of this poem (although it felt like more) and now I’m done.  Move on!

Having said that, by the time of this video, in February 23, my delivery was pretty smooth, so we’ll keep this one for posterity.

Just look at that poetry lineup!

5th June at The Lobby 1867 in Wakefield.

Last night, I performed the short version of my play, ‘Nowhere Like Home’ for the first time.

It was at a Scratch Session with Freedom Studios, at Kala Sangam in Bradford.  I was the last of nine performances from my fellow Writers Group alumni.   Most used professional actors to see their plays come to life for the first time, but me and Izzy Smith did everything ourselves, writing, producing and performing solo pieces.

Here I am, doing my thing, stolen from Laura’s photos, because I didn’t take any.  It went down well: one of the audience even said it was relatable!  That’s never happened to me before.

Now to work out what happens next with this.  Watch this space!

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/freedomstudios

Kala Sangam is currently using a temporary location at Bank House, 41 Bank St, Bradford BD1 1RD

This is going to be a great night!   HLF Slam was my first, just a year ago.  I wobbled onto that stage, a complete newbie, not knowing what to expect – and I loved it!

Going back this year with a shed load more experience, and loads of my mates are in it, too…  Can’t wait!

In person tickets from £5:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-slam-2024-in-person-tickets-795321296407?aff=oddtdtcreator

Virtual tickets from £3:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-slam-2024-online-tickets-815929917347?aff=oddtdtcreator

I’m going to be out and about plugging this poetry gig for the next couple of weeks: my guest slot at Attic Stories, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield – and possibly the pinnacle of my poetic career so far!

It’s only £3 to come to the very nicest open mic around, with Rose Condo, the nicest host in the business, and me, the also quite nice guest for the night.   Come along to read, or just to listen: I’d love your support.

Tickets below:

https://www.thelbt.org/what-s-on/spoken-word-and-talks/attic-stories-april-2024/

A birthday poem. 

I like to write one every year – it’s a nice reflection point – but they are generally too miserable to inflict on others. 

This year’s poem was a little more cheerful. 

The video’s a bit quick so here’s the text as well.

Life Notes

You have arrived at fifty four:
What a great accumulation of years
Several lives of wild experience
Carrying the weight of all this.
Some things are easier; others not
There’s more time to reflect
But what’s going on with the body?
All those miles aren’t helping much!
It would be nice to move without pain
But the upside is freedom gained.
Weighed up, against the alternative
It’s something you are prepared to live with.