Interview

Okay, Poetry Lovers, settle down! Welcome back to our talk show studio where we are expecting the lovely poet, Douglas Graham Wilson! (Pandemonium)

(The host raps a ruler on the desk There is rapt silence)

Now Now, you don’t want me to interrupt Security’s fag break, do you?! Lets give a very warm welcome to our guest today, Douglas Graham Wilson!

(Studio shakes with ecstatic applause)

Douglas glides elegantly down the lighted staircase

So, Douglas, welcome to the show. I admire your velvet bellbottoms

Oh thank you, you don’t think it’s a bit much with the loganberry cravat?!

(Audience emphatically disagree)

If a cool guy like you can’t get away with it, then no-one can! Isn’t that right, aud?!

(Ecstatic endorsement from the audience Five minutes of applause)

So, Douglas, thank you so much for coming on the show, tell us something about yourself. Such as how did poetry become a part of your life?

Thanks for having me. I began writing poetry around 12 years old after I was encouraged by my English teacher, Mr Black. We had to write a poem for an assignment and he was really impressed with my poem. I have been writing ever since.

My biggest influences are TS Eliot, Rumi, June Jordan and Charles Bukowski.

Very impressive influences .Teachers can be such a part of who we are. They can go one way or another, but for you, Mr Black sounded like he went the right way!

Now, tell us about your wonderful new collection

Of Love and Other Maladies consists of poetry selected from a larger manuscript of my poetry spanning around 20 years of work.

A highly commended collection, what is your personal favourite?

My personal favourite in the book is the poem Decomposition

Ah yes, a very powerful piece. Mine was Ethan because of the strong and heartrending interaction between two lovers. However, I had a wealth of favourites in there, including Decomposition

What is your next step? Live readings? Are you working on something else now?

Yes I will be doing readings at the next Celine’s Salon in Soho, and there are other plans in the works for other venues. I am also busy compiling another manuscript.

Excellent, we’ll watch this space. I can’t wait to read more work from you. Now,

(nervous gasps from the audience),

tell us the best gig you’ve ever done, then the Worst!

The best gig I ever did was the opening night of my debut performance poetry show, Indirect Confessions in Cape Town, South Africa. It was jam-packed and flowed so beautifully with a truly appreciative audience.

The worst gig I ever did was the closing night of my debut performance poetry show, Indirect Confessions, in Cape Town, South Africa.

We extended the run too much so audiences gradually dwindled; on the last night there was just a handful of fidgety people and for some reason sirens and garbage trucks outside kept on interrupting my performance at poignant moments!
We live and learn…

Oh no! Don’t those moments go on forever?! And in the same venue as your hallowed one too! Yes, we certainly live and learn

It’s been terrific having you on, Douglas, and a great experience. Now, you must be going somewhere really happening afterwards…

I’ve got to practise walking in my new platform shoes first, so it’s straight home for me.

Ah me too. Feet up in front of Z Cars Well everyone, give the lovely Douglas a big round of applause and er – take care up those stairs. What are those heels? 4 inches?

I will! Thank you and goodnight

Douglas cautiously climbs the lighted stairs

Wasn’t he just a wonderful guest, Poetry Lovers and studio audience?! Stay tuned for more poetry antics real soon….