Well, wonderful poet Trisha Broomfield recently delighted us with a pantoum on a bus ride into town. Now we alight again for the Return Journey.
Just as colourful and eventful, with dubious but intriguing company. A new character too. You’ll be as drawn in going home as you were setting out. So get your fares ready and read on…
Now don’t get too excited with this title. At my era, an intriguing underwear drawer no longer exists, only memories of wispy lace and sheer stockings. Long gone and replaced by Marks cotton underwear.
Although this is welcome, we can’t help but hark back to skimpier days. Read on
Underwear Drawer
My underwear drawer no longer has wispy delights
Just cotton knix and American Tan tights
No longer a whiff of a silk peignoir
Or my beautiful past Gossard bras
No more glimpses of a suspender
Too uncomfortable while watching Eastenders
I can’t remember when comfort outwitted glamour
Or when I stopped being a vamp, more like a grandma
I’d love to see me and heels rekindled
But with fallen arches, my options dwindled
Wrapped in a cosy passionless dressing gown
I feel there’s worse fates going around
HM 2025
Doesn’t that sum it up for a lot of us?! No longer out to entice or impress, these once-cherished things get ditched. There is a wistful underwear drawer in all of us.
Thanks for tuning in, Poetry Lovers. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon…
Today, our special guest is prolific poet Joe Campling (standing ovation)
Now settle down as we greet our esteemed guest, Joe Campling!!
(Rapturous applause as our special guest glides down the lighted stairs, looking around nervously)
Hello Joe, and welcome to the show. So lovely to have you as a guest.
Fill us in on your background.
Hi Heather, thanks for having me on the show. Have admired your work the first time I saw you when I went to an event run by the Surrey Laureate Lounge and you were the headliner.
So, sorry, a bit about me, I am married, have four adult children and I live in Buckinghamshire. I’ve just become a grandparent for the first time. My full time job is working as a mental health nurse in London.
I have self-published 6 (six) poetry books over past 6 years of pieces I had written since 2012 and still love to write.
I wish I had been better at school but scraped an English pass in sixth form which allowed me to pursue my career which I love.
I seemed to neglect the creative artistic side of myself but it made appearances through my life until I fully embraced it in my mid forties.
Likewise, Joe. I loved your work, and a great event, isn’t it.
Congratulations to you, they say it’s wonderful being a grandparent.
Yes, we turn our back on our creative side in former lives. I’m so impressed with your turnout.
When did poetry become a part of your life?
Well this may be a bit of a long story. I remember Pam Ayres in the 1970’s on Opportunity Knocks. Every time I went to the dentist I had to see “I wish I’d looked after my teeth” poem in the waiting room.
When I was 9 I remember writing a poem about a scarecrow which teachers put on the wall.
Apart from listening to war poems during CSE English, I remember we read a poem by Spike Milligan. It sparked something in me so that I went to the local library on my housing estate in Bracknell and borrowed “Small Dreams of a Scorpion.”
Sometimes I wrote poems for friends and my (now) wife but nothing too much on a serious level
Then in 2012, spontaneously, I wrote a limerick , then found myself writing a bit more often. Before long, I had “ loads of poems” sitting on the hard drive of my PC or in my email, but it was always hidden from people.
In my head I had always wanted to share with people so in 2013, I wrote a poem for a friend whilst I was waiting for her to finish some shopping at Edinburgh Airport and then gave it to her as part of a Christmas present. She was so impressed that she gave me a John Donne collection she had used for her A Levels studies.
When I hit 50, I went to a friend’s music Open mic event in the Slough area and attempted to play a song using the few guitar chords I learned from another friend. I was asked if I had anything else for next week, so my poetry escaped the hard drive and I began to share and perform. I have knocked music on the head again!!!
I found another Open mic near Uxbridge and they were interested and happy to let me perform.
A lot of the times, I would arrive with some poems I had written before and then write a couple of new ones based on what was happening around me. I ended up becoming a regular there and they allowed me to host two of my book launches.
I also found some Spoken Word Events; one in High Wycombe and one in Slough where I was at last able to meet other poets and help my writing.
Now I have discovered Surrey!!!
Excellent. Such rich ground, isn’t it. You’ve covered so much! Admirable.
Who were your biggest influences?
My mum tells me I have been reading since I was two years old and probably read the “food boxes and newspapers to try to understand. “
My influences are quite eclectic. As I mentioned before, I listened to Pam Ayres as an 8 year oId. At the age of 15 I borrowed Spike Milligan from the library and then got a copy for Christmas. It made me realise that you can write on many subjects and be funny, serious, satirical which I now reflect on is probably the seed for me to go for it.
I loved history at school so the war poets such as Wilfred Owen and Rupert Brooke added to the confusion felt at the time of what war was about!
I also read some WB Yeats to understand some of the conflicts within my Irishness.
I also realised that I actually had been taught poems by Christina Rossetti which we either performed in school.
My biggest influences are the poets whom I often perform with. They show me different ways of expression and different styles that make me think “what has been happening to me for the past 40 years”. I love that rappers can work with “traditional styles”
I know. It’s marvellous, isn’t it. You’re a very prolific poet.
What are you working on at the moment?
It feels like I have lots of things going on, some of which is work I started a few years ago.
Actively I am completing a 7th volume of my own poetry at the moment (title to be sorted).
Last year I put 365 prompts from a poetry web page into an AI engine and collected the poems.
My plan for next year is to write 365 poems of my own based on these prompts and being honest about which is which, publish a series of books.
Unfinished work –
Recently I decided to collect my favourite poems by other authors. I have an joke book which I started in 2020 which is based on some puns that a school friend keeps posting on Facebook. I also have added a few of my own favourite jokes which bizarrely are puns in French and German which I found on sweet wrappers
I am blown away! (Audience cheer with agreement) That is so impressive!
Okay, what is the best poetry gig you’ve done and the worst?!
This is actually an interesting question, One of the worst gigs also turned into one of the best too.
In 2016 when I was fairly new, I was performing some of my poetry. This guy at the bar kept calling for music during my set and no one was stopping him. However, his wife said, “leave the poet alone, I like poetry” she then asked for “Pam Ayres- I Wished I looked after my Teeth.”
I quickly looked it up on my phone, performed it and was able to carry on with one last poem.
The following week, a new guy was playing his music at the open mic. His music was a bit different although very good. However the man’s wife from the week before shouted at him, “get the poet on”
The organiser put me on and I read another Pam Ayres poem as well as some of my own.
Afterwards, the guy (Dave) came up to me, laughing, said it was his best heckle and invited me to a Spoken word event in 4 days’ time.
Why that is one of my favourite gigs is, that I how I found my first Spoken word. Sadly the event didn’t last more than a year but I realised it was a step onto this road with other Spoken Word performers.
What a turning point! We’ve never heard such an ambiguous one before.
You’ve been a wonderful and interesting guest. Thank you so much for coming on the show.
Now, a little bird has told me you’re not keen on cats!
(The audience gasp)
Dobby is insulted with this and is on the lookout for you. In fact, she’s brought her mates!!
Joe? Where you going, Joe?!
Oh dear, our lovely guest has suddenly remembered an urgent appointment!! Whoops! Let’s hope Joe runs fast!!
Wasn’t Joe a wonderful guest, PL’s. And so inspiring, I know I’m certainly taking a leaf from his book(s).
(Screams of pain in the background)
Treat yourself to Joe’s new collection. Really worth a read. The QR code is below.
Thank you so much for coming to the talk show studio, Poetry Lovers. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon….
A lovely charming piece by clever poet Trisha Broomfield will carry our journey along. There’s some dubious yet loveable characters on board, so let’s climb on that bus now! Have your bus passes ready!
On the Bus
The cat is driving me to town
he picks up pals along the way
he knows an owl who plays the clown
senior bus pass, doesn’t pay
he picks up pals along the way
the owl, a tawny, is a hoot
senior bus pass, doesn’t pay.
His pal Snake, sports a lamé suit
the owl, a tawny, is a hoot
on board a dodgy crocodile
his pal Snake sports a lamé suit
both greet me with a charming smile
on board a dodgy crocodile
odd teeth and fangs are capped in gold
both greet me with a charming smile
they hiss, ‘If we may be so bold.’
Odd teeth and fangs are capped in gold.
He knows an owl who plays the clown
they hiss, ‘If we may be so bold.’
the cat is driving me to town.
Trisha Broomfield 2025
Wasn’t that a marvellous ride?! And you’ve got the return journey to look forward to…. Thank you so much, Trisha. Please keep them coming.
Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon….
Welcome back to the Talk Show studio (Ecstatic applause)
Now settle down, PL’s, because our guest today is Sarah L Dixon!! (Standing ovation)
Welcome to the Show, Sarah. So pleased to have you here
Pleasure to be here, Heather.
Cool hat!
Now, fill us in on your background…
I was born in Stockport, and lived in Manchester for 12 years. Now I live in Huddersfield valley with my son, Frank, 14.
I was in NHS Admin roles for 17 years including Post Mortem secretary. I got an OU degree (Social Science and Economics) while working full time.
After 2 years of hand drawing graphs and charts was ready for something more free.
I took a NHS subsidised creative writing, art and photography courses. (£30 for ten sessions) in 2001. Writing for Pleasure at Cheadle Library.
Then in 2003, after Swanwick Writing school I decided I wanted to focus more on poetry. Wordsmiths and Manky Poets in Chorlton were welcoming.
I went to Poetry Business days at Manchester Catherdal and in Sheffield. I’ve also taken Arvon courses with Roger McGough and Julia Copus (2008) and Lavinia Greenlaw (2009).
That is such an impressive background, Sarah.
Who are your biggest influences?
Clare Shaw, Ciaran Hodgers, Jim Bob, Ian Prowse.
Nights that are current favourites locally – Ink Spill at Head of Steam, Huddersfield, Gobby in the Lobby, Wakefield, Attic Stories, Huddersfield and I host a monthly night called Grand Plans at The Sair in Linthwaite, Huddersfield.
Oh Sarah, I want to get there! They sound great events!
Tell us more about your new collection A Bit like Falling in Love
A bit like falling in love all started becoming a thing that I had to make happen from the day I went to an indie all dayer in May 2019 on an online date.
Then, I decided to go to a gig on my own for the first time, The Wonder Stuff supported by Jim Bob solo late 2019. Loved it! Wondered why I had never been to a gig alone before. I decided I would do this much more often then COVID hit and gigs moved online and the music of the 90s was one of the things that kept me sane in lockdown.
I took this book to a dozen publishers and I think it was too 90s indie for the poetry publisher and too much poetry for the music publishers so I decided to self-publish as with touring of big bands like Blur and Oasis the 90s revival seems to be at a peak.
Though my love of books is mainly for less huge bands.
This book is an extended love poem to 90s indie music, musicians, bands and fans.
Brilliant! I saw The Wonder Stuff in June ‘91. Not long before they had that monster hit with Vic Reeves.
Now (audience gasp in anticipation) What’s the best poetry gig you’ve ever done, and the Worst?!
Best gig? Quiet Compere Blackpool because it felt unreal. I host showcases as thr Quiet Compere and have done this with Arts Council funding in 38 different places since 2014.
This gig stands out because the crowd were totally raucous for humorous poems but respectfully silent for more solemn or serious pieces. The variety in styles and themes was wide and one poet had organised for the Illuminations to be tested outside the venue as we left, which was magical.
Worst gig? An Arts Festival where the micced band was 50 yards from the poetry tent. Though I did make several good friends as we had to almost be kissing to hear each other in these circumstances about 17 years ago.
Thick Richard and Steph Pile both remember this first meeting well.
Ah! Thick Richard – he was at Morecambe this year. Well, it sounds like it made you a stronger poet. These experiences do.
So what are you doing tonight, Sarah ? What band are you going to see? Will you go up the Marquee? Or the Rainbow?
Well, Heather, Dobby has just run off with my favourite hat! So I’m going after the little cow! ‘Bye!!
(Our esteemed guest runs up the lighted stairs shouting “give it back, you little cow!’)
(The audience gasp in awe at her bravery)
Okay, PL’s. We’d better end it there – I can hardly bear to listen to those screams of pain!
Wasn’t Sarah a wonderful guest?! (Huge huge applause)
Click the link below to treat yourselves to Sarah’s new collection….
I hope Christmas was nice. Do you recall getting a diary every year? A real stocking filler or an indifferent gift from an aunt or uncle.
I usually got a red one, and wrote entries for the first week then forgot about it for the rest of the year.
Anyway, whatever I put in it, a girl in my class would always nab it and read it out loud! Why?! So I’ve tried to sum this funny little ritual up in the following piece.
Read on if you can bear it….
Little Red Book
An A6 little red diary
A standard stocking filler
(Not a posh one, like Letts)
From a very tight present giver
I’d write in it every January
About how I hated post Yuletide
Evelyn would read it out to the class
And suggested I consider suicide
The contents were hardly revealing
She just wanted to show me up
I was embarrassed by my lack of activity
Racier contents would have to be made up
By the time I did that, it was the Fifth Form
Where no-one gave a flying toss
And Evelyn preoccupied with sixth formers
Not interested now in fabricated dross
At seventeen, the diaries stopped
My stocking contained more sophistication
Evelyn went to work in the bank
And I was plunged into further education!
HM 2024
Not the best ending there, PL’s. Any suggestions on a postcard please. Or come forward with any quirky situations yourselves of course.
Happy New Year, Poetry Lovers. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon…..
Welcome to the festive talk show studio, Poetry Lovers!
(Ecstatic applause – security on standby)
Now, settle down, we don’t want to scare our special guest off, do we? Although our esteemed guest poet is pretty fearless! It’s Nick Goodall!!
(Standing ovation as our glamorous guest glides down the lit stairway)
Welcome to the show, Nick. Absolutely honoured to have you as our guest
(Audience cheer)
LOVE those shoes!
Do fill us in on your background
I was born into humble stock, over-achieved what was expected of me, then threw it all away and came to sit by the sea a little over a decade ago.
You must have known when the time was right. That proved a good move.
When did poetry become a part of your life?
As a child I liked Spike Milligan. And Gerard Manley Hopkins.
I made a deliberate decision at the beginning of 2022 to write and, critically, to get paid to perform poetry, but not to be published or win competitions.
Prior to that, I had written perhaps half a dozen poems. I also set about getting an ‘O’ level in dementia studies, I think. And visiting Azerbaijan.
Oh! I grew up on Standing Room Only by Spike. He pushed such boundaries.
Who are your biggest influences?
I don’t read much poetry, and am not sure I have any, but as my style evolves and matures, I’m sure others might infer some subliminal influences. There are poets I admire, but I do not write like them.
No, you have your own distinctive style.
Are you working on anything at the moment?
I have twenty or so poems in various states of completion, and I try to ‘publish’ (Facebook and ‘live’ only) a first draft of a poem every other day.
I’ve only managed one every three or four days this year. They tend to come in litters of a dozen or so.
You’re very prolific, Nick. It’s admirable how many poems you write. So …
(sweeps everything off the desk. Audience gasp)
What’s the best gig you’ve ever done, and the worst?!
Any gig where someone takes the time to say the magic words ‘I loved that phrase’ or similar.
The worst? Never had one. Its a privilege to perform. If it doesn’t land well, that’s down to me.
Mind you, there was the time at the Blues Festival, when the punters were actually in my face, but you’ll have to go to YouTube for that…
Ha ha! I’m jumping on there now!
I’d like to share the great event you have coming up at Broadstairs on 29th December.
A fantastic line up of poets in The Chapel, a stunning bar and bookshop with lovely staff. In such a beautiful town.
I’m looking forward to it. Get there if you can, Poetry Lovers.
Thank you so much for coming on the show, Nick. You’ve been a wonderful guest.
I’m afraid Dobby’s a bit displeased because you have a photo there of you with a dog!
Perhaps you’d like to go out the back way!
Nonsense! I can take on a cat! I’ll leave the way I came in!
Didn’t I say Nick was fearless, PL’s?! A big hand for our lovely poet Nick Goodall
(rapturous applause and standing ovation as our guest ascends the lit stairs)
(cries of “mind the shoes, you little cow! follow quickly)
Wasn’t Nick a fascinating (and brave) guest?! Click on this link to find out more about this wonderful poet
In fact, she’s brought her mates!! 
So I’ve tried to sum this funny little ritual up in the following piece.
Heather Moulson 