Interview with Andrew Evzona

Hello Poetry Lovers

Welcome back to the Talk Show Studio. Our guest today is clever and prolific poet Andrew Evzona

(Rapturous applause as our esteemed poet glides down the lighted steps. Dobby growls)

Now, Dobby. Leave Andrew alone! He has a very big dog, you know! 

(Sound of a dog barking in the background. Dobby legs it) Phew! 

Welcome to the show, Andrew. Why don’t you fill us in on your background? 

Pleasure to be here, Heather. 

I was born in Perivale Hospital,Ealing on Grand National Day 26^th March 1955 of Greek Cypriot parents and have Greek Spartan origins and am able to speak English, Greek, French and German and know a few Russian words.

I am a Cover Supervisor Supply Teacher nowadays covering schools in the boroughs of Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Harrow and Brent.

That’s really impressive, Andrew. I believe Greek and Russian are particularly hard languages. 

When did poetry become a part of your life? 

Poetry came into my life when I was turning 50 and I started writing poems which I sent to Forward Poetry for publication in various anthologies of theirs before I decided to write my own books to raise funds for different charities.

My first published book “100 POEMS TO MAKE YOU T.L.C (think, laugh or cry)” appeared in 2017 and the first poem was about HM Queen who sent me a thank you letter from Buckingham Palace and had a copy of the book herself.

The book has raised several hundreds of pounds for Diabetes and Cancer Research charities.

My second book titled “300 POEMS TO MAKE YOU T.L.C” was published in 2021 and is raising funds for Diabetes and Dementia charities.

Yes, you have been very prolific. That’s so impressive about the Queen. What a letter to treasure! 

Your raising money for charity is admirable.

Who are your biggest influences?

My poems have actually not been influenced by any poets who have gone before as I merely write about my philosophical thoughts to make people think, or true stories which can be humorous or sad. I love to be versatile and entertain all age groups.

Besides the obvious established poets from centuries gone by, I must mention the likes of my personal favourites David Bowie and Muhammad Ali who both were geniuses in their own field,while I must add I have been impressed by several performers at Poetry Performance in Teddington for the past 4-5 years also.     

What fantastic role models, and I have been impressed by readers at Poetry Performance too. 

Are you working on anything at the moment?

Both my books have been mentioned already and I have been writing several more since they were published, which has reached almost 100 already, and when I decide to finalise them, that will complete my trilogy of books covering the same three emotions.

We look forward to that last book of the trilogy. Superb move.

Now, what is the best poetry gig you’ve done, and the Worst?! 

I have performed at various venues in West London and have always gone down well, I am pleased to say, and long may that continue!     

Yes, Heather. First I’d like to read Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow written by me on the 15th March 2020

Yesterday, Today was Tomorrow

Would it be a day of happiness or sorrow?

And Tomorrow, Today is Yesterday 

We wonder what the newspapers will say

Yesterday, all our troubles seemed so far away

Let’s hope they just go away Today

As, no-one knows what may follow

For all of us starting from Tomorrow 

Poetry is a poem written by me

on 22nd August 2020

Poetry

It’s never as easy as it looks

To create and perform a poem

And despite what people may think

It doesn’t always have to rhyme

What does poetry really mean

To the likes of you and me?

Is it a chance to express ourselves

And give our views for free? 

There have been famous poets galore

Throughout the mists of time

Their work displayed in its’ glory

Mesmerising us with verse and rhyme

Everyone has their own style 

Priority is to entertain and more

Make people think, laugh or cry

Wonder where we heard that before?     

A Evzona 2020

(Thunderous applause from the audience)

Fabulous pieces, Andrew. Well done. 

(Audience cheer wholeheartedly)

Thank you so much for coming on the show. Do you want to slip out the backway in case Dobby gets you? 

My dog’s waiting for me at the top of the stairs, Heather. So I’m quite confident leaving by the front. 

(For once, a guest ascends the stairs in a dignified manner. )

Wasn’t Andrew a great guest, PL’s?! 

Thank you so much for attending the talk show. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon…..