The Zebra

Hello Poetry Lovers

So talented poet Trisha Broomfield said she would like to be a zebra – out of any animal.

I do see her point, with those snazzy stripes. Not quite as big or cumbersome as horses, they can run with grace and zeal. And get up to all sorts! Like this particular ‘Trisha’ Zebra

Do read on…

The Zebra

I’d love to be a zebra

with that amazing coat

I’d always be in fashion

those in Vogue would gloat

I’d hide behind park railings

give people such a fright

trot around in shadows

dark, then black, then white

I’d find a zebra crossing

and trot across real slow

worry the pedestrians

only parts of me would show

Life as a town zebra

would be a jolly wheeze

I’d spend my days in Costa

‘a cappuccino please,’

reclining I would sit and

watch the world go by

light one of many Rothman’s

ignore looks from passers by.

@T Broomfield 2026

Wasn’t that a great jaunt?! Thank you, Trisha, more please

Perhaps we should all think about what animal we would like to be, PL’s. Answers on a postcard please….

Thanks for tuning in, Poetry Lovers. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon…..

Bristol Capers

Hello Poetry Lovers.

Yes, we conquered Bristol (I think). I know it was non-stop! This is me embracing Clifton!

And as for poetry, well I just looked in the Yellow Pages (let your fingers do the walking – loved that advert), or rather I scrolled on my phone and was delighted to find a poetry event on the Sunday night

Hosted at this beautiful venue in Southville

99% Women poets, which was quite nice and unusual. I was warmly welcomed by New Grounds Poetry and the wonderful poets there. Thank you so much to Katy Jane, Helen Sheppard, and Varosha for your welcome and encouragement. @new_grounds_poetry on Instagram, worth a follow

And what can I say about our time in Clifton the following day?!

We went mad on prints this time, I bought that groovy second picture in, and Liv bought a whole load more.

We ate by the Clifton suspension bridge tired but happy. And that night we went Tex Mex and I cleaned up on margaritas.

Meanwhile, Liv enjoyed her free Coke. No photos were allowed! The girl looks like a film star and she refuses to be photographed! Extraordinary!

The next morning I set off for a last look at the harbour behind our hotel but..

Best not! Bucketed down! We set off home, with a detour to Cabot Circus! Marvellous trip

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s, and listening to my adventures. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon

And We’re Off…

Hello Poetry Lovers

I’m off to Bristol for a couple of days.

Dobby will take charge of this site and will have a quiet reflective weekend looking at and editing my new poetry collection. So I’m glad it’s in safe hands/paws.

And all being well, I hope to do poetry at this lovely venue in Southville (if I can find it)

A charming place just ripe for reading about Scrubbers

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s I will share my adventures on my return

More Ogden….

Hello Poetry Lovers

This time we turn to other creatures that clever Ogden Nash has featured, such as the Eel. We never really hear their side of the story.

And this one is quite handsome. A ‘good catch’ you might say.

A lady I knew bought an eel for her marine fish tank. I adored him, and named him Eric. He cost £120. Anyway, he died the next week. So best not to get too attached to them really. Bless you, Eric.

The Eel

I don’t mind eels

Except as meals,

And the way they feels.

The Octopus

Tell me, O Octopus, I begs,

Is those things arms, or is they legs?

I marvel at thee, Octopus;

If I were thou, I’d call me Us.

Is it me or does that first Octopus look hacked off?! I expect they’re fed up with stupid questions like that!!

The Rhinoceros

The rhino is a homely beast,

For human eyes he’s not a feast.

Farewell, farewell, you old rhinoceros,

I’ll stare at something less prepoceros.

This one I find a bit mean. I think she’s rather nice, and probably a vegan! Shame on you, Ogden.

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. Do send your own preconceptions of animals in to the usual address.

Pests Corner

Hello Poetry Lovers

Sorry for my absence but the cupboard has been bare.

Oh, don’t get me wrong – I’ve had some exciting times with the Booming Lovelies and other events, but I’ve run clean out of poems.

So, what does a bereft poet do?! Yes! Turns to Ogden Nash. These super pieces are from Parents, Keep Out, a great paperback of his from 1969.

Do read the following, they’re great fun…

The Kitten

The trouble with a kitten is

THAT

Eventually it becomes a

CAT.

This is Dobby’s favourite. Can’t think why!

The following ones not so much…

The Fly

The Lord in His wisdom made the fly

And then forgot to tell us why.

The Wasp

The wasp and all his numerous family

I look upon as a major calamity.

He throws open his nest with prodigality,

But I distrust his waspitality.

I’ve often wondered if there are ‘regular’ wasps out there. They still go around in a swarm but not really into violence and stinging people. Or are they all just evil like Daleks?! What do you think, PL’s?

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon…..

Exciting News…

The Booming Lovelies are back at the Ageing Well Festival on Thursday 1st October at 2.15 pm.

Trisha, Sharron and I are very excited to return to the Hop 50+ in Hove. Details of tickets are above. We hope to see you there.

This is us rehearsing online. I don’t know why our dogs and cats got involved!!

And on Sunday 4th October 6 till 8 pm, we have another Poetry Performance at the Adelaide pub, Teddington.

Our featured poet is lovely Liz Newbery and the optional theme is Light. Andrew Evzona is our MC. It’ll be a great night.

This is me ‘preparing’ the room.

What an exciting week – eh? A great start to October….

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon….

So, Morecambe..

Hello Poetry Lovers

Well, what can I say about our trip to the Morecambe Poetry Festival?! A rich array of poets and poetry – and that’s just the first layer!

This is us, Trisha, Sharron and moi with the wonderful Matt Panesh! What a bloke!

As you can see, we took our art very seriously as we couldn’t resist the Eric and Ernie cutouts there!

Dr John Cooper Clarke, Henry Normal, Luke Wright, Robin Ince, Rowland Crowland and Hannah Wood were one of many talented poets on the bill, and we particularly loved Patience Agbabi. This marvellous poet from Colwyn Bay captured the era of mods and Northern soul so distinctly in her words. We were captivated. Such a wonderful human being.

We also had a passion for Salena Godden, such a fantastic reading and presentation.

This is me, Sharron and Dennis Tomlinson in anticipation of Brian Bilston…

Mr Bilston was droll and witty and topped the bill of sheer talent on Sunday night.

But before that, we had the joy of performing as Booming Lovelies in the Arndale Shopping Centre. Here we are with Susan Osborne aka A Laff from Lancashire. Thank you Susan for your support. Heather Sullivan and Anna Somerset also performed beautifully.

Sharron and I enjoy a break …

So farewell Morecambe until next year … (don’t know why Heather has such a wry smile there!).

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon…..

Off to Morecambe

Hello Poetry Lovers

We’re off to Morecambe for the Poetry Festival!

And this time we will be joined by the third Booming Lovely, Trisha

The first time for Trisha but a third visit for me and Sharron. We will be performing on Sunday at the Arndale Shopping Centre at 1.30 pm. An interesting experience!

Will report back next week and share my Morecambe adventures with you.

Meanwhile have a good weekend and come up with a poem for the Arts Richmond competition….

Screenshot

My Poetry Week….

Well, Poetry Lovers, what a week of poetry it has been!

Last Sunday we had the joy of Sir Richard Eyre as featured poet at the Adelaide. Honoured by his visit, we loved his poems and anecdotes.

This is my most treasured photograph, in the company of a lovely and clever man.

In fact, there was strong poetry read all round. Including the founder of Poetry Performance, Anne Warrington.

Then on Friday, I had the privilege of performing at the Guildford Institute with the Booming Lovelies

I’m looking quite furtive here for some reason !

It was a terrific audience and a great success.

I look shifty here too!

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon…

Coming Soon….

..to a theatre near you!

Exciting news ! The Booming Lovelies are returning to the Guildford Institute next Friday 11th September at 3.30 pm.

Trisha, Sharron and I are very excited about reappearing at this lovely and welcoming venue and had a great rehearsal in their library. We were also thrilled to be featured in the classy R&A magazine.

Finishing off with lunch at the lovely Cote restaurant opposite the castle. I had fish stew – num!

For tickets, please go to the link below, and we hope to see you there.

https://www.guildford-institute.org.uk/event/booming-lovelies-e121/