A Slummy Mummy pamphlet launch was on the cards. Forgive me for your lack of invitation, PL’s but this was a press night. Only the most elite could come through the door.
You will be invited to the Slaggs Cafe launch very soon.
Anyway, it all looked good and Dobby and I had been for a beauty session, and we were raring to go.
However, Dobby wasn’t in the best of moods on the actual day and…..
I have to tear Dobby off a strip.
But a promise from Dobby is but a pie-crust one
And she was on a roll….
However, the editor of Sparky comic called time on Dobby’s antics and took the only feasible route….
Now, would Dobby have learnt her lesson? Would I sell any books? Will this soirée get out of hand?
Very excited to announce my poetry Pamphlet Slummy Mummy is due out on 29th May.
But first, let me explain to you how publishing actually works
I bribe – I mean, send Dobby to take my manuscript to a prestigious publishing house. And Dobby knew just the one!
In a suburb of Feltham, Dobby hammers on their door and waits patiently..
Dobby’s persistence pays off as the iconic publisher Julie Slagg personally answers her call.
Julie went back to bed but entrusted her latest YTS employee to read through Slummy Mummy – who was extremely excited about it!
Of course, these things never run smoothly and I had to step in to ensure the publishing deal was set.
And the rest, as they say, is history. Or it will be by 29th May! Amazon, a tiny family run subsidiary of Julie Slagg’s will release it then. (what takes them so long??!!).
But the real mastermind behind the Slagg empire is talented poet and mentor, Phil Porter. Thank you so much, Phil.
Phil has a fascinating new book out himself, I highly recommend it.
Today, talented poet Dennis Tomlinson has written about his dog Popsy, with very detailed and clever words about her origins. The love for Popsy shows through his beautiful piece.
Do read on, it’s a great piece
The Origin of Popsy
Out to the shabby edge of Slough
we drove to see our doggy breeder.
He said to meet us in a pub –
I asked myself, Who is this bleeder?
He strode in like a local squire,
a spaniel pup in either arm.
You took a liking to the girl,
thinking the fellow meant no harm.
When you’d paid up and he had gone,
you found your cash was fifty short.
You asked the barmaid who he was.
‘He’s not from here!’ was her retort.
As we drove home we mused about
our pretty golden ‘cockerpoo’:
Her mother was a cocker, sure,
but dad a poodle? If not, who?
Your daughter Liz at once exclaimed,
‘How short her legs, how long her snout!
You must have bought a dachshund, Mum!’
We checked the creature, full of doubt.
The puppy’s size and length of face
proclaimed ‘Jack Russell terrier’.
Her coat curled like a poodle, still.
The more breeds there, the merrier!
A man met in the park said, ‘Afghan
hound lies in her history.
The hairy legs are proof.’ How strange!
Each day compounds the mystery.
Myself, I think her feathered limbs
might indicate an avian mix.
Her jaws are more reptilian.
Part-dog, part-archaeopteryx!
Dennis Tomlinson
Wasn’t that a terrific and tender piece?! A delight, Dennis. Thank you so much.
If you have any favourite pieces about your own loved pet, please put them on a postcard and send them to Dobby.
Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon….
Well, what can I say about our gig at Cranleigh Arts Festival on 12th May?! A great reading with a terrific and supportive audience. And our fourteenth BL show.
This is us, Trisha applying her beautiful lipstick, Sharron doing a soundcheck and me – er – limbering up!
Thank you to Jeremy Elson for his great organisation, and to Chris Dubois for the marvellous lighting and sound.
Also thanks to the lovely and supportive volunteers whose names I didn’t catch. Forgive me. You, and the terrific audience, all made our third appearance at Cranleigh an unforgettable one.
The following day, we set off to Weybridge to record poetry for Brooklands Radio Poetry in Motion feature, with the great presenter Brea Gosling and resident poet Lesley North.
It was a unique experience and thanks to producer Graham Laycock for his support and patience with me.
What a couple of days!
Tune in to hear us on Brooklands Radio on the Poetry in Motion show on Tuesday 19th May at 8pm
And our next Booming Lovelies performance is on Sunday 7th June at Elmbridge Literature Festival
Well, Summer is in sight and not everyone is wild about it. Hands up who’s not that keen! Tell me I’m not the only one!
Well, here’s a piece that expresses my true feelings.
As you can from the above montage, Dobby is also ambivalent about this season. Although she does sunbathe in the garden a lot. However, Dobby approves of this triolet, so read on
Summer
Memories of past summers sit on my skin
Some of them not worth recalling
Boring, lonely, only fit for the bin
Memories of past summers sit on my skin
Even good summers don’t get a look in
Perhaps they were just as appalling
Memories of past summers sit on my skin
Some of them not worth recalling.
HM 2023
Now, wasn’t that the most miserable poem about summer you have ever heard?!
Or not?! If you know of any worse summer poems than that, then send them on a postcard to Dobby! We would love to see them.
Thanks for tuning in and indulging me, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon…
Hopefully I should have my Slummy Mummy pamphlet out soon.
It’s not just about parents, it takes us back to our own schooldays too.
Why I want to revisit those schooldays, or go back to the school run is a mystery to me but…..
Anyway, here is a piece from this second collection titled Grown Up. I wonder if a lot of us have questioned the situation we found ourselves in. Hope you like it ……
Grown Up
A gold band on a swollen finger.
No half fare on the bus.
Pregnancy scares now welcomed,
awaited, encouraged!
When’s the next one? A standard response.
What happened to Tiger Feet at the disco?!
Scrubber Browne going behind the girls toilets?!
Why is the off-licence now a vape shop?!
And the Wimpy Bar a Café Nero?!
What treachery is this?!
From a girl’s pink bedroom, I’ve been carried
over the threshold to a grown-up house,
full of people who need me.
But my platform shoes must still be under the bed?!
And my mates will call for me at 7?!
Instead of going out at 3 for the school run?!
Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. Slummy Mummy will be available soon.
Yes, the Booming Lovelies made it to St Albans, kindly invited by Ver Poets. We had been looking forward to this reading for some time.
St Alban’s library had a terrific performance space and it was nice to see Stephen Claughton again, and to meet Mark Randles face to face.
A little nervous in an intimate space, we performed our set to a great audience. The crowd were receptive and enthusiastic. Not a Julie in sight, so that was a relief!
It was our new show and we appreciated the support.
After a short break, we had a joy of poets performing at the open mic, including the vibrant and prolific Dennis Tomlinson.
We were moved and touched by how many poets bought our books, and we were energised by the support we were given.
We finally let Stephen and Mark go home, and sought substenance at Bakers & Baristas, a local cafe.
Julian, Trisha’s husband, is on the right, who had kindly brought Trisha and Sharron. (Took them home too, natch).
Meanwhile, I did some sightseeing and explored the Tesco Metro before heading off myself, tired but happy.
Thank you, Ver Poets, for such a terrific day.
We can’t wait for our next show at Cranleigh Arts Centre on 12th May. We hope to see you there. Booking link below
Now, we’ve had pieces about cats, this time it’s the dog’s turn.
Lovely poet Sharron Green shares with us the turmoil of having a new puppy. A wonderful upbeat piece, despite the sheer slog of a new arrival, do read on…
Ooops I did it again …
I thought getting a puppy sounded a good idea, but I’ll admit to second thoughts now that he is here.
I’d forgotten the disruption, of the early days, the sleepless nights and puddles, the bold and wilful ways.
The holes in clothes and scratches; the sharpness of each tooth; the constant in- and outing; attempts to puppy-proof.
The covering of surfaces; blocked nooks and crannies too; the squirrelling of treasures; he might topple or gnaw through.
Anxiety at illnesses that could catch him unawares, and oh so many perils to pepper my nightmares.
I thought getting a puppy sounded a good idea, but I recognise the challenges now that he is here.
@rhymes_n_roses
Hmm…I bet Sharron wouldn’t swap him for the world though! We love these animals despite everything!
Wasn’t that a terrific piece?! Thank you so much, Sharron. More please! Perhaps you Poetry Lovers have a tail(!) of your own about your loved pet. Answers on a postcard please….
Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon….
Heather Moulson 