Hello Poetry Lovers
Welcome back to the Talk Show studio!
(Fierce applause) 
Our special guest today is talented poet and runner up in this year’s Arts Richmond Poetry Competition, Sarah Boyd!!
(Rapturous applause)
Welcome to the show, Sarah.
Don’t mind Dobby there!
Pleasure to be here, Heather.
(Looks at Dobby nervously)
Pay no attention to Dobby’s growling. It’s a sign of affection (I think).
So Sarah, please fill us in on your background
I worked in magazine publishing for many years which included coming up with regular articles, so I’ve been involved in writing for a long time.
That’s a great background.
When did poetry become a part of your life?
At primary school I wrote an extremely long poem about Noah’s Ark, all in rhyming couplets, which I was very proud of. Sadly I can’t find a copy of it!
Nothing more until lockdown, when I started writing poems to avoid making banana bread and sourdough. 
Then in 2024 I decided to apply for the MA Writing Poetry run by Poetry School and Newcastle University – it’s part-time over two years and I’m halfway through. It’s really enjoyable.
I’m so impressed with that, Sarah. It sounds a great course. And I wish you could find that poem.
Who were your biggest influences ?
As part of the MA we have to do a lot of reading so I’m influenced by whoever I happen to be studying at the time.
But I would say my poetry owes something to the work of Caroline Bird, Emily Berry, Selima Hill and the Martian poets of the 1970s and 80s. And to countless other poets.
Some wonderful poets mentioned there.
Are you working on anything at the moment?
Finishing my MA! I have at least 60 more poems to generate by next summer. 
I do hope to have a pamphlet or book of poems out eventually. Watch this space.
We can’t wait, Sarah.
So, what’s the best poetry gig you’ve ever done? And the Worst?!
My Poetry Performance gig this November, when I was featured poet, was probably the best.
My worst was when I was a last minute addition to a charity fundraiser.
On the night I found out I was the first act and the audience hadn’t had a chance to properly warm up with drinks.
The compere had told me what he’d say to introduce my poems, then he said something totally different which threw me.
I think most people were really there for the fund-raising raffle and the meal rather than poetry which was fair enough!
Oh these things are painful but they’re also a learning curve.
So happy your Poetry Performance feature was your best one. You were wonderful.
(Our esteemed guest gets her coat on)
You look in a hurry, Sarah. Aren’t we going to the Fallow Deer for a coffee?
(Our guest looks embarrassed)
I said she wouldn’t like it, Dobby! Let’s leg it quick! Dilly Orme’s waiting for us! 
Oh don’t worry, I’m used to it by now.
I guess it’s the MaxPax vending machine for me again!
Wasn’t Sarah a wonderful guest, Poetry Lovers
(Vast Applause and standing ovation).
Thanks for visiting the Talk Show studio, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon…
Heather Moulson 
Great interview! I love Sarah’s poems 💕💕
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Thank you. Yes, me too!
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