Poet
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.
Free poems! I’m in an area with lots of those little free libraries, so it feels rude not to provide them with some old lady anarchist literature!
Today was a rainy day, so I spent the afternoon doing this. I used a load of throwaway shorter poems and bits of ideas – ones I won’t use anywhere else, but once I’d put them together on the page, they feel like an interesting collection of thoughts around a theme. I suppose this is why poets like to have pamphlets published!
The photos don’t really do it justice. There’s a road map going on in the layer beneath the poems and in the photos it just looks like a representation of my smashed phone screen. ☺️
Keep your eyes peeled when you’re out and about, and you might come across one. I think I’ll also take a handful with me to my next load of gigs. I rather like the idea of having stuff to give away!
Guess what? I’m in the Huddersfield Literature Festival Slam. 20th April at Small Seeds, but it’s a hybrid event, so you can watch it online as well!
Tickets for either sort of attendance are here:
https://www.huddlitfest.org.uk/event/poetry-slam-24/
This is mega for me – joining a long list of amazing poets who have guested at this night during the two years I’ve been a regular there. Feels like an immense achievement!
https://www.thelbt.org/what-s-on/spoken-word-and-talks/attic-stories-april-2024/
I’m also going to be at The Chemic for my birthday at the Poets Talking Bollocks Open Mic, 7th April. There will be a live podcast recording with Eleanor May, who is doing her one woman show ‘Does my Fanny Look Big in This?’ in Leeds the night before – and she’s launching her zine as well. Impressive! I look forward to picking her brains…
And then Getting Gobby in the Lobby on the open mic 17th April in Wakefield. Looking forward to hearing Steve Pottinger, Emma Purshouse and, of course, the fabulous Aamina Khan!
Finally, there’s the short play reading on 27th April in Bradford. I’ll add info when I get it.
Have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
