Poetry Matters: Cathedral Workshop

Sunset Light: Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds

I am just back from a writing day at the Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds, run under the auspices of the Edmund Centre for Arts and Theology (ECAT). 

Michael Symmons Roberts read from and talked about his poetry collections, including his forthcoming collection, which is currently at the page-proof stage. Since I have just finished reading Edgelands, I was particularly interested to hear more of the thinking behind his ideas.

Elizabeth Cook, the ECAT Writer-in-Residence, gave an excellent paper in response, before we broke for lunch.

Michael led us in a workshop in the afternoon, introducing us to three poems on the theme of the Ascension, before we picked up our pens and began drafting a poem for ourselves.

The day ended with a fascinating paper from Professor Michael Apichella on C.S. Lewis and the Art of Friendship.

Media Moment: The Holy Place on Ipswich Community Radio

The (?real) Zennor Mermaid ...

My thanks to Mai Black for reading five of my chapbook poems on Ipswich Community Radio Breakfast Show (ICR, 105.7FM) this morning. The poems in question were ...

• The Bumblebee Bat

• Isabella Tiger Moth greets the Wooly Bear Caterpillar

• Ice Maiden of Zennor

• The Ocean’s Tears

• Sea Scribe

These all feature in my chapbook, 'The Holy Place'.

Copies of the chapbook are available at £3.50 (inclusive of UK p&p) ... Drop me an email from here if you would like to buy one.

Launch Event: 'The Holy Place', Arlington's, Ipswich

We had an enjoyable evening at Arlington's in Ipswich last night at the monthly Poetry Cafe, run by Fred Ellis. The theme was November/Remembrance, and it was not surprising that quite a few of the poems had a military feel. There were also poems crackling with bonfire imagery. A good number of home-grown pieces were read out or performed. Matthew from the Poetry Pulse showed us his seasonal poem in a novel decorated scroll. UCS and the Writing Workshop that takes place on Thursdays at 2pm (plug!) in Gainsborough Community Library were both well represented.

I did a fifteen minute reading from my chapbook, 'The Holy Place', choosing five poems dedicated to special people and places in my life. My selection included a Sestina, a Tercet Ghazal and a Sonnet. My thanks to all who came to support me and to those who bought copies of the chapbook.

'The Holy Place' is co-authored with John Dotson, and published by Peter Thabit Jones of The Seventh Quarry Press, in conjunction with Stanley H. Barkan from Cross-Cultural Communications in New York.

You can find out more on my website. I have copies of the chapbook for sale at £3.50, inclusive of UK p&p: please click the red contact button here if you would like to buy one or ask a question etc. 

The Poetry Cafe ... an Impression

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 ... 

Publication Pointer: World Haiku Anthology

I heard today that my Haiku, dockbound, has been accepted for this forthcoming anthology, compiled by Dimitar Anakiev and illustrated by Kuniharu Shimizu. The book, scheduled for publication early in 2013, contains nearly 900 poems from 420 poets, from 45 countries (6 continents), written in 33 languages and English.

'This landmark collection, interweaving hundreds of poetic voices from around the world, creates a powerful statement for peace and against war.' Kim Goldberg, Canadian author of Red Zone and other books.

'The call for haiku on the theme of war by Dimitar Anakiev has been a call for courage, intelligence and belief in the possibility of peace. Believing in peace is essential to our survival.'  Marilyn Hazelton (USA), Editor, red lights.

Fiesta Time: The Aldeburgh Poetry Festival 2012

I took copies of my chapbook, 'The Holy Place' (co-authored with John Dotson) over to Snape ...

... ready for the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival Bookstall.

The beautiful setting of Snape will add an extra dimension to this year's festival ...

... and festival-goers will still be able to walk along the coastal waterways ...

... at Aldeburgh, with its excellent fish and chips!

Roll on Friday, when the festival begins!

Poets on Poet: Matthew Hollis on Edward Thomas

Matthew Hollis

I have been thoroughly gripped by 'Now All Roads Lead to France' by Mattthew Hollis. It is an excellent study of the years and days leading up to the Great War. I have almost finished the book, and was delighted to have the chance to hear Matthew presenting his subject in an illustrated talk for the Suffolk Poetry Society.

Book-signing time ...

You will not be surprised to hear that the presentation included 'Adlestrop', a place I visited many years ago on a frosty morning. After Matthew had finished speaking, members of the audience were invited to ask questions and to choose a favourite Thomas poem. David and I selected 'Swedes', a poem we had written about way back in 2003. We ventured to show how this poem emerged from prose. You can find a link to our 'Note' in OUP Notes and Queries here.

'Adlestrop - The name' Edward Thomas