Metverse Muse, India - Joint Second Place

My triple-issue copy of the international journal, Metverse Muse, edited by Dr. H. Tulsi in Visakhapatnam, India, arrived today. A glance at page 20 revealed that my two contest poems, a Petrarchan Sonnet (about pandas) and a Shakespearean Sonnet (about Pylos), had won me Joint Second Place with fellow UK poet, Pamela Trudie Hodge, in the Fixed Form 'A' category of the 2013 competition.

Many congratulations to Catherine Lee for taking First Place.

Reconstruction in Nestor's Palace, Homer's 'sandy Pylos', Peloponnese

 

Published Poetry ~ 'Otter Watch' in Reach Poetry magazine

Otter in Assynt, 2013

Thank you to all Reach Poetry readers for your votes on #180, listed in #181. My poem, 'Otter Watch', came second in the October issue of this magazine from Indigo Dreams Publishing. Congratulations to Tina Negus for her poem, 'Billy', which came 'top of the box'.

Poetry Publication: The Gift of Form by John Brantingham

John Brantingham

John Brantingham, US author of The Gift of Form: A Pocket Guide to Formal Poetry, published by Oak Tree Press, has also written poetry collections such as East of Los Angeles. His poetry has been featured on Garrison Keillor's Writer's Almanac and in hundreds of magazines in the US and the UK. He has been nominated for multiple Pushcart Prizes and won Pearl Magazine's Fiction contest. He lives and works in Southern California.

John, who did not start out as a fan of formal poetry, writes in his introduction,

'... and then I made my largest intellectual shift: 

the rules of formal poetry are not there to be restrictions, 

and in fact there are not really any rules at all ... '

Rules for John have been replaced by tools. 

I met John back in 2011 at the First International Swansea Poetry Festival in the Dylan Thomas Theatre, organised by Peter Thabit Jones (ed. The Seventh Quarry, Swansea) in conjunction with Stanley H. Barkan (Cross-Cultural Communications, New York). The photo above was taken during the festival, and shows the backdrop to Peter Thabit Jones' acclaimed verse drama, set in Swansea, 'The Boy and the Lion's Head'.

I am delighted to have two poems, 'Cornish Evening' and 'Waiting for the Bore', included in The Gift of Form: A Pocket Guide to Formal Poetry.

Fiesta Time: the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival

The Aldeburgh Scallop

I have just returned from a brilliant day at the festival. The weather was chilly, with east coast temperatures, but the bright sun more than made up for the wintry feel.

My congratulations to The Poetry Trust for arranging excellent workshop leaders. I spent the morning in the Aldeburgh Music Room, in Val Bloom's workshop on poetry forms (right up my street!). We drafted poems from word associations and from Imagist ideas. We attempted a Nonet, and considered its inverted form, the Tenon.

There was just time to move the car and have a quick lunch (sadly no time for the famous fish and chips today!) before heading off to the Peter Pears Gallery for a worshop on 'Elsewhere', led by Dr David Wheatley. I have to confess that I just found (or made) time to slip into Reed Books, where I bought a copy of Swithering by Robin Robertson.

David Wheatley introduced us to Larkin's concept of 'elsewhere', and guided us as we explored possibilities of 'mapping out' an elsewhere poem for ourselves. We soon had rough drafts (though some sounded very polished to me), which we read out and offered for group discussion.

I wandered back to my car, passing - or rather, failing to pass - a delicatessan, where I bought a delicious chocolate and walnut brownie. The sunset was stark and beautiful; the sea, crisp and calm.

Roll on tomorrow when we go to Snape for a discussion of short poetry. And if you are heading in that direction, copies of my chapbook, 'The Holy Place' (co-authored with John Dotson) can be bought from the Festival Bookstall.

Speaking of 'The Holy Place', do join us for a launch reading on Tuesday 6 November at 7pm at Arlington's in Ipswich. The reading will take place during the monthly Poetry Cafe. All are welcome, and there is a small fee (about £3) to cover Poetry Cafe costs. Why not bring a bonfire poem to share ... 

Poetry Matters (17): Spring Selection of Books on Form and Structure

Spring Selection of Books on Form and Structure

Every so often I come across a recommendation for a book on the craft of poetry. I thought I would list one or two of these publications in case they are also of interest to other writers – and in the hope that readers of this post may care to share the title of recommended or favourite poetic craft books in the Comments section for us all to see.

Michael Theune's distinction between Poetic Form and Poetic Structure (and here) may be of interest to those who engage in the practice of making poetry.

I own a copy of the first book on my list below, and have just ordered a copy of the fourth book. I have read about the other books, and am listing them here as a personal prompt - and in the hope that they may also strike a chord with you.

1] The Book of Forms: A Handbook of Poetics Including Odd and Invented Forms (4th Edition, UPNE) by Lewis Putnam Turco. This book includes three of my sample poems. You can read my post about the book here.

2] A Poet's Craft: a Comprehensive Guide to Making and Sharing Your Poetry by Annie Finch

3] Structure and Surprise: Engaging Poetic Turns by Michael Theune

4] “You Only Guide Me by Surprise”: Poetry and the Dolphin’s Turn by Peter Sacks

and one that is as yet available for pre-order ...

5] Adventures in Form: A Compendium of Poetic Forms, Rules and Constraints by Paul Muldoon

and finally a brand new Creative Writing book that looks most exciting ...

6] The Cambridge Companion to Creative Writing by David Morley (available to buy from CUP). The volume includes a chapter on Poetry and Poetics by Bronwyn Lea.

Magazine Moment (27): Reach Poetry (and Puffin)

Reach Poetry issue 158 arrived this morning (thank you, Ronnie and Dawn at IDP). There are some great new poems in the magazine - not forgetting a fabulous cover of a certain Border Collie called Soxx.

It was great to find my name in 'The Box' for my 11-syllables per line Sonnet* on - you've guessed - those amazing Yorkshire Puffins. My poem was voted 4th out of those published in issue 157 - so thank you to all who chose it.

Many congratulations to Tina Negus, who took First Place with her brilliant poem, 'A Contradiction of Hoopoes'. 


* Shakespeare's Sonnet XX had 11 lines per line, which was unusual - but I like the rhythm.

Book Corner (2): The Book of Forms ~ forthcoming

I was interested to read on the 'Poetics and Ruminations' blog that the forthcoming edition of The Book of Forms ('A Handbook of Poetics' compiled and edited by Professor Lewis Turco) will be available on Kindle. The updated work will also be published in book form.

Meanwhile, the current edition of 'The Book of Forms' is available here. I have owned a copy for many years and have found it a fascinating and invaluable guide.

Poetry Form Challenge (3): Haiku

Alan Summers said... For anyone who might be tempted to enter a haiku competition, we are now open until 21st November 2010.

The With Words International Online Haiku Competition 2010: With Words

all my very best,

Alan
With Words

Poetic Forms (3): The Clang

My Clang is about spice...

Do you enjoy new poetry forms?

I am delighted that Professor Lewis Turco has posted a piece on the Clang form on his 'Book of Odd and Invented Forms' site. The Clang was invented by Llewelyn Nicholas. You can read two examples on the site, one by the creator of the form and the other by yours truly. If you would like to read the poems, you will need to go to the site [link above] and scroll down or search for 'Clang'.

We would be interested to know if you decide to have a go at writing a Clang...

P.S. My understanding today [24 hours on] is that Professor Turco has now taken down much of his 'Book of Odd and Invented Forms' site, with a view to editing the material for a possible print publication.

Poems on the Web (7): Arabic Ghazal Challenge

Gino Peregrini has just brought out his Arabic Challenge edition of The Ghazal Page. You will find the edition here, along with my challenge poem, 'A Lonely Soul'.

Thank you very much, Gino!

Poetic Forms (2): Kyrielle and Virelai - for Indian publication

I was delighted to hear last week that two of my poems have been selected for Dr Tulsi's new book, 'Muse & Metre'.

The volume will be a handbook for those who wish to write in poetic forms. My poems will demonstrate the Kyrielle and the Virelai. The volume is due to be published in July/August 2010 in Visakhapatnam in India. It will be produced by Dr Tulsi and 'authored by Bernard Jackson', whose name may be familiar to those who submit work to the UK/international small press poetry scene. Dr H. Tulsi is the editor of the poetry journal, 'Metverse Muse'.

Creature Feature (14): Hippo and Echo

A WALLOW IN THE REALMS

OF THE BLUE HIPPOPOTAMUS

Our local students baked hippo biscuits yesterday. This is the one that got away! My 'Echo on the Nile' poem about a faience hippo can now be read online on Professor Lewis Turco's site, 'The Book of Odd and Invented Forms'. If you follow the link, you will need to scroll down to the section on 'Echo Verse' (or do a 'Find' search on a word e.g. 'Nile'). You might like to take a look at my Echo blog here.

Egyptian blue-green faience hippos have long fascinated me. I have even got the T-shirt, as you will see if you click the link here (didn't we look young then?!).

I hope you will enjoy finding out more about these lovely creatures.

• Hippo Conservation
• Year of Biodiversity: Pygmy Hippo
  

Poetry on Display (1): Seaweed from Dylan's home town

Mumbles Pier, Swansea, Wales

The Dylan Thomas Centre,
Swansea, Wales

I was delighted to learn today from Wilda Morris of the Illinois State Poetry Society in the USA that one of my Epulaeryu poems, Seaweed from the Home of Dylan Thomas, had been on display alongside other 'Food Poems' in the Lisle Public Library from March 27, 2010.

The poem is about laverbread, a local Swansea speciality. Its chief ingredient is seaweed (porphyra umbilcalis). It can be bought in Swansea market in small plastic bags. Many people like to fry it - sometimes with bacon - for breakfast. I have tasted it once so far, and would happily try it again.

• Laverbread cakes
  

Poems on the Web (6): Thalatta! Thalatta!

A blue plaque in Tenby, South Wales

I am delighted that Dr Marc Latham's Folding Mirror Poetry form is listed on Professor Lewis Turco's 'manuscript-in-circulation' entitled The Book of Odd and Invented Forms. The two examples of the form are:

• 'Hourglass of Time' by Claire Knight, 2009 First Prize winner of the Haiku section of the New Zealand International Poetry Society Competition (and winner of the Jeanette Stace Memorial Prize).
• 'Thalatta! Thalatta!' by yours truly.

I have long admired Professor Turco's work, 'The Book of Forms: a Handbook of Poetics', and am delighted that he is planning a sequel. You can read about Dr Marc Latham's Folding Mirror Poetry form on the FMP site here.

Magazine Moment (7): Wendy Webb's TIPS for Writers 76

Ladybirds near the entrance to
Epworth Old Rectory,
home of the Wesley family

My ladybird Haiku / 俳句 has been published in TIPS for Writers issue 76. It nestles in among a rainbow selection of poems, which include free verse and forms. There are other Haiku, such as those by Kay Weeks (in Maryland, USA) and Beth Buckley. There is a Tetractys by Tina Negus - not forgetting prize-winning Haiku poet, Claire Knight's delightful Echotain, Villanelle and Magi poems.

This edition celebrates James Knox Whittet's win in Wendy's Pamphlet Competition. His new collection, Carousel of Silences, will appear soon. Details available from Wendy. If you enjoy poetry news, views and tips, why not send her an email, asking to subscribe to eTIPS, which will then arrive in your inbox each month.

The mermaid bench end below is from the lovely church in Zennor in Cornwall. Wendy's book, A Mermaid's Tale, is now available. The mermaid cover painting is by Kay Weeks. You can read more about the publication here on Wendy's blog, or here on my Land&Lit page.

Poems on the Web (4): Ghazal Page Color Radif

The Color Radif Challenge issued by editor, Gino Peregrini, is now up on The Ghazal Page. You can read the issue here, and find my poem, Ocean Blue.

Wonderful Words (8i): Pangram in Progress

Pangram in the making...

I am attempting Michelle's Poefusion Pangram Challenge - a lot of fun, but perhaps not exactly the thing for those little grey cells on this distinctly grey fuzzy morning!

Why not jump on the bandwagon (or the 'panwagon') and come and join us...

I will let you know when and if I have my Eureka! moment of 'success'.

Poems on the Web (3): WAVES, tercet ghazal

I mentioned The Ghazal Page ezine (ed.Gino Peregrini) in an earlier post. My Tercet Ghazal, 'Waves', is now online. There is a link to it under the heading 'Sky' on the right hand side of the page, or you can find the poem here.

Poetic Forms (1): Ghazal

The summer edition of The Ghazal Page is now online, along with a blog, Don't Muzzle the Ghazal, run by editor Gino Peregrini (aka Gene Doty, Associate Professor Emeritus of English at the Missouri University of Science and Technology).

I have a poem coming out in the forthcoming Tercet Challenge issue. You might also like to visit the innovative site, Ghazalville, created by Nicola Masciandaro.

• Ghazal on Wikipedia
• The word Ghazal
• Write a Ghazal (some pointers)
  

Wonderful Words (7): Ouroboros

I came across the word 'ouroboros' ( or in Greek, Ουροβόρος) on Nic Sebastian's Very Like a Whale blog - see Question 5 - and was immediately intrigued, particularly when I discovered that it was linked to a poetry form.

Thank you, Nicolette Bethel, editor of tongues of the ocean for the introduction to the ourobotic poem by Nicholas Laughlin, editor of The Caribbean Review of Books.

Those who know me will know that I am always on the look out for new forms in poetry. I have enjoyed writing about the following ones (with the help of their respective creators):

• The 'Fib' form - after Fibonacci - created by Gregory K. Pincus of Gottabook.

• The 'Folding Mirror' form (and here) created by Dr Marc Latham.
  

If you would like to read about these in Wendy Webb's eTIPS magazine, I suggest you leave a comment here or visit Wendy's blog. My third piece on (short) forms in this occasional series is due to appear later this year.

Incidentally, the latest edition of Wendy's TIPS for Writers (72) is out, and as usual, contains a feast of poems, competitions and news. Many congratulations to Tina Negus on winning the Margaret Munro Gibson Prize. This TIPS competition was judged by Alison Chisholm.

My thanks to Mand for the link to The Ouroboros Review. (See Mand's comment below).