How to Cook a Poem

Hello Poetry Lovers

Picture this; a night in Borough in a room above the Roebuck pub. Play On Words, a great live reading concept founded by explosive poet Lee Campbell.

And yes, an exciting night of poetry, with an incredible feature from James Domestic. A left field force that made one breathless with his frank and vibrant poetry. I had to have one of his many books And it’s brilliant. That’s not Poetry is painfully true and inspiring.

It was hard to choose a favourite but How to Cook a Poem is up there.

How to Cook a Poem

People are ingredients for poets

A store cupboard there to be raided

When the hunger in you strikes

of the world you must write

to have any chance of ever being sated

People are ingredients for poets

Steal a line of wisdom from a friend

A mondegreen from the singer

on the radio’s a zinger!

All elements you can employ and blend

The cashier in a foul mood

could be a top-notch inspiration

as could misunderstandings

from across the generations

Nan is baffled by the modern world

It’s not like when she was a girl

And there’s no hope

of suitable translation

People are ingredients for poets

Their quirks

their struggles

and their constant strife

A pinch of ecstasy from your lover

A spoon of guilt from yet another

The alienation from the people

in your life

People are ingredients for poets

Without ‘em?

Well, what could you do?

They’re weighed, and peeled,

and chopped

And I hope you ain’t forgot

that the final core ingredient is you

What did I say?! Such a wonderful piece! Thank you so much, James, for permitting me to print your brilliant piece. And I want more!

Catch up on this prolific poet and musician on http://jamesdomestic.com. Well worth a look. James has a full tour this year, try and catch him. Or treat yourselves to one of his books.

The next POW event is on 28th April. Get there at 7 to sign up!