Return of the Poetry Basket Review

Welcome back to the Poetry Basket review.

Today, we are proud to review Sharron Green’s latest collection Willing Words. A thoroughly absorbing and versatile pamphlet that one is very willing to read. Absolutely worthy of the hot review below. Do read on….

Willing Words by Sharron Green

A well-presented collection and a slick title makes any poetry journey worthwhile.   This is certainly the case with Willing Words, subtitled An Ode to Poetry, by prolific poet Sharron Green who draws us into an intricate route of true and painful roads that poets head down many times.

Many a True Word is a very apt opening piece, with a vibrant first line that jumps out at us. ‘Never trust a poet’ –  such very true words and valuable advice! Yet we rarely heed it.

Stand out pieces such as Unread Pages, Confessions of a Poet’s Lover, and Drunken Syllables, have just the right level of poignancy and humour, with a profound subtext that will inspire us as poets. Writer’s Block reflects our ultimate paranoia.  Dawn and Dusk stays with us in a strong couplet structure, and the title poem is witty and wistful. 

Shall I Read You? has a sensual quality, and Tomorrow has a real tinge of sadness and tragedy.  Poetic Pox or Paean is cleverly done with a vivid use of language.  To Please, Prickle has an edgy and biting rhyme scheme, and there’s a strong empathy in Poeting.   

My Poetry Style is thorough and vivid, and enticing language of Where the Truth Lies and its conflicting conversations. A good potential for two voices.

Reflections on Rejections is so true, it’s almost painful. Every wordsmith will feel that pain. Modern Rhymes is very strong, funny and a touch brutal. Taking the Plunge is written in a classy structure.

As our journey nears its end, Green’s poems draw strength without losing its consistency. The reader doesn’t get tired, nor want to stop on the way there.

A classy collection with an impressive variation of structures. An inspiration to poets generally.  I’ve bought a return ticket!

For a real treat, click on Sharron’s website http://rhymesnroses.com to purchase a copy of the innovative Willing Words.

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s and sharing this review. Get buying that book, and we’ll be back with more poetry action real soon….

The Cat in the Caff

Hello Poetry Lovers

I know this is worldwide news now, about the tragedy they have called Storm Dobby. An unsuspecting cafe run by Mrs Slagg had a very unwelcome visitor recently. The worst tragedy since King Kong!

Now, what can we say to this disaster?! Well, clever poet Sharron Green has summed this incident up beautifully. It even cheered up Mrs Slagg. Do read on….

The Cat in the Caff

The cat sat in the Slaggs cafe,
she licked it very much.


Her paws purrused the decor,
it had a hint of hutch.
She felt a little oversized,
fur it was such a squeeze,


it would be a catastrophe 
if she were to sneeze.
A full house was a feat indeed


though not with one mouth solely, 
one that mewed for tuna melt
and sardine roly poly.


The Slaggs tried hard to shoo her out
but Dobby swished away


she was a feline squatter 
in the latest cat cafe.

rhymes_n_roses 2024

Thank you so much, Sharron for this terrific piece. Wasn’t it wonderful, PL’s?!

As you can see in the above photo, there is not a shred of remorse from that furry whiskered whirlwind! And as to Mrs Slagg’s cafe owning future, well, watch this space…..

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s and reading this fitting tribute. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon……

Interview with Julian Bishop

Hello Poetry Lovers

Welcome back to the Talk Show Studio

(rapturous applause – security nervous)

Now settle down as we welcome the wonderfully talented poet, Julian Bishop! 

(Standing ovation as our esteemed guest elegantly glides down the lit staircase)

Welcome to the show, Julian. A great honour.

Oh! You didn’t bring Sid the Cat?!  

I think Dobby whisked him off for tips and advice on how to be annoying!

Great to be on the show.

So glad you could be here.

Now, Julian, tell us a bit about yourself…

I don’t think I had a very high opinion of poetry until I discovered Ted Hughes and Seamus Heaney in my late teens. I was more into “Hawk in the Rain” than Led Zeppelin, I can still just about recite it off by heart. And weirdly Thom Gunn’s Tamer and Hawk too.

I did English at University and wanted to write my dissertation on Heaney but was told “it’s too modern”. I ended up doing it on Wordsworth’s tedious The Prelude.

Even though I hated Led Zepp, my first job was as rock reporter for the South Wales Echo.

Unbelievably I got to “interview” Michael Jackson and asked him if he had a message for Wales to which he said “I love whales, they’re so cute”. My story was headlined “Michael’s Message to Wales: I Love You”. Pure poetry. 

Fantastic! What a great story! The iconic Michael Jackson! Love it!

When did poetry become a part of your life?

I went on to work for BBC Wales then got a job at ITN’s News At Ten when they were relaunching it with Trevor McDonald. Unbelievably stressful job.

I don’t think I picked up a book of poetry until I’d stopped working full time as a journalist and came across an Alice Oswald poem called Flies (2015?) which captured the fabulous yuckiness of flies so brilliantly.

I was hooked. I started to devour as much contemporary poetry as I could and of course that led to trying to write some myself…

What a turning point, Julian! Sometimes that’s just how it works.

Who are your biggest influences?

I’ve already mentioned three, I’d also add my namesake Elizabeth Bishop for her amazing multi-layered poems, Mark Doty for his opulent language and Kei Miller for his gentle dexterity with language and form.

If ever I need inspiration, I’ll grab one of Heaney’s books – I have three copies of his first volume of Selected Poems, not sure how that happened… 

Fabulous influences, Julian.

Tell us about ‘We Saw It All Happen’ and how it came about…..

While I was at BBC Wales I spent some time working as their first environment reporter. Those were the days before climate change was a “thing” and most of my time was spent covering weather stories, usually floods given this was Wales. I owned five pairs of wellies because most of them were usually drying out.

Climate change has crept up the news agenda but statistics only appeal to the head not the heart. And I thought this was where poetry could fill a gap. I called it We Saw It All Happen because like me, we’re all witnesses to what’s going on and all equally guilty of not doing enough to tackle it, bar the odd bit of recycling perhaps.

I’m not sure poetry makes anything happen but it can at least make people think a little deeper about their choices. I should add it’s not an entirely gloomy book, there’s humour in there although admittedly it’s quite dark humour. 

Oh I loved the wit in there. Beautifully written without judgment or finger pointing. 

So, (sweeps everything off the desk. The audience gasp) What’s the best poetry gig you’ve ever done – and the Worst ?!

I’m sure the gig you’ve kindly asked me to take part in this summer will be the best Heather!

And I did enjoy a gig you arranged for me at the Vauxhall Tea House in London which is the first time in my life people chanted “more, more” after a poem!

The worst was at a venue I won’t name where only four people turned up. At least one of the other poets had brought along some Pipers Cheese and Onion crisps.

Well, Julian, if it’s the one I’m thinking of, they were very nice crisps indeed! 

Thank you so much for coming on the show. You’ve been a fascinating guest.

Are you and Sid out on the town tonight ? 

Well, Heather, I think I’ve lost Sid to Dobby. So it’s best I find him and take him home.

(Thunderous applause as Julian Bishop legs it up the stairs calling for Sid)

Wasn’t Julian a wonderful and fascinating guest?! To treat yourself to this wonderful collection, click onto Julian’s website now

http://Julianbishoppoet.com

Thanks for watching, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon …..

Trimeric Food Parcel

Hello Poetry Lovers

Welcome back to the Trimeric Corner, it’s been a while.

I have composed a Trimeric piece containing one of the most unhealthiest, but quite frankly, delicious foods. See if you can spot what it is! Read on….

Food Parcel 

They say ham and eggs are nice 

But their charm passes me by 

I prefer something with rice 

Or a steak & kidney pie 

But their charm passes me by

ham is really unexciting and dull 

Of cold meats, I’ve had a belly full 

I prefer something with rice 

sweet & sour or chow mein 

my daily menu is never plain 

Or a steak & kidney pie

especially Fray Bentos in a tin

their processed meat draws me in 

Thanks for reading, PL’s. I think there’s a Fray Bentos in all of us somewhere. A guilty pleasure that one covers up! Now it’s time to reveal those indulgences.

Answers on a postcard please….

We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon….

Welcome to Spring….

Hello Poetry Lovers

Welcome to Spring (I think)! It kind of looks like it’s here – sort of.

To celebrate this elusive season, I have dug out my Spring Triolet, followed by Sharron Green’s stunning piece Out of the Dark. Far more profound and poignant than mine!

But have a read of them both anyway….

Spring Triolet

Birds sing against the weakening dark

And the need for gloves disperse

People are more up for a lark

Birds sing against the weakening dark

But I wouldn’t recommend the local park

Light evenings only make it look worse

Birds sing against the weakening dark

And the need for gloves disperse

HM 2024

Out of the Dark

Out of the dark, the blues of deep winter,


when we feel trapped and moods crash and splinter,

hope forces life to bud at twig’s end,

glimpses of spring flirt just round the bend.
Bright yellow pops from ripe daffodils,


blossom unfurls and joyfully spills.
Out of the dark, we shrug off the night,
freed from within we greet the sunlight.

Rhymes n Roses 2024

Wasn’t that a beautiful poem?! Thank you so much, Sharron. Please keep them coming.

Sharron has a new book out Willing Words, which I thoroughly recommend. Go to Sharron’s site at http://www.rhymesnroses.com to treat yourself.

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon….

Poetry Basket Review

Hello Poetry Lovers

Welcome back to the Poetry Basket Review. This week we take a good look at a welcome return for Ray Pool and his enigmatic new collection Hopscotch.

Hopscotch

by Ray Pool

The title alone sums up this eclectic collection by prolific poet Ray Pool. Hopscotch was a game with hidden intricacies, deceptively simple with a complex subtext. The same applies to the canny sharp pieces inside this immaculate white glossy book.  This nostalgic and iconic game is effectively illustrated on the front.   

Let’s get into Ray Pool’s Aston Martin as he takes us to many enticing subheadings with this apt and clever collection. So many pieces jump out at the reader, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. The Shorts section holds the title piece, along with witty limericks, haikus, and other vibrant humorous shorts. Including the subject of Christine in Virginalia’. We’re with her all the way!  

We stop the car to embrace the heading Reflections on a Life in Music, we feel the poet really comes into his own and excels. The terrific account of Tommy Cooper, and the lesser known Tommy Bruce are endearing – and hilarious.  Plus the Mother of Invention himself, An Evening With Frank Zappa is full of amazing details. I love the stark structure of all these pieces. 

So we get back in Ray’s car and journey along to colourful sections like Trains of Thought. By Back Door across the Moor geographically details West London, particularly the hallowed West Drayton (happy memories there) and this poet does not spare any details.   Early Beginnings And Family Affairs…gives us poignant revelations with Aunt Georgie and her splendid possessions in Revelations. A Meeting of Minds is simply touching. Light and Bitter All Hallows on Sea will incur urges in us all to get to the English coast.  

We park the car at a personal favourite, the wistful and witty My Usherette that conveys a faded glamour. Staying on a cinema theme, Living at the Astoria is irresistible, a bittersweetness of glorious institutions long gone. Lost and Gone Forever gives us staples of Saturday night television and their stars, Val Doonican particularly strikes a chord.  Que Sera Sera is reflective and humorous.  

We drive to Strange Tales and pick up The Ballad of Bertie Bassett And The Bisto Kids, with a mention to Benny Hill that is hilarious. It simply just has to be read. Let’s Get Serious is an absorbing heading, with the detailed Playing Your Cards , and Suicide by Text and East End Welcome.  Dark writing tinged with matching humour. 

We park up by the most significant chapter COVID. There are clever twists in Lockdown Funeral and The Famous Five Go On The Warpath.  The latter piece very updated indeed.  

An impressive and clever collection. Can we go round again, Ray, please?! Before you drop us off at my Robin Reliant!

To treat yourselves to a super collection, please email Ray himself on raypool@live.co.uk

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. More poetry action real soon….

Rooms I have never had

Hello Poetry Lovers

Now, I’m sure we’re all happy with our homes generally. Or are you like me, and remember furniture you hankered for during a certain era?

I recall my drama teacher having a wagon wheel outside her house. The height of chic in ‘71, and I never really stopped wanting one.

Or a colourful carpet and three piece suite. Or a shiny, albeit uncomfortable, dining chair. And a white embossed bed head that matched the wardrobes

Anyway, please read on to indulge my hankerings.

Rooms I Have Never Had

I want a Seventies hallway

with a wagon wheel outside

I want bare stairs without underlay

on which stockinged feet will glide

I want a very visual carpet

preferably with orange swirls

Please pull up that parquet

so our bold splendour can unfurl

I want a living room with a round table

surrounded by uncomfortable chairs

An ironic leather sofa that’s unstable

And we’ll put on graces and airs

I want the best bedspread and pillow

a nifty table by the bedside

where the new digital clock will glow

And fill us with joy when we’re tired

HM 2024

Thanks PL’s for indulging my piece of nostalgia there. I’m quite sure there’s a house in all of us, so answers on a postcard please…..

Meanwhile, this is the house I’ve always wanted….

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon…..

The Booming Lovelies ….

Hello Poetry Lovers

Another triumph for the Booming Lovelies at Cranleigh Arts Centre on Wednesday night.

The above pictures are us rehearsing like mad last week at the Arts Centre.

With 40 plus tickets sold, we were a little nervous. We had a big audience indeed.

Armed with our souvenir booklet, we were ready to take on the world..(I think!)..

Seated in the immaculate green room upstairs, we tried not to be nervous as we heard people arriving one floor below!

Facing a whole room of people will always be unnerving but once Trisha kicked off with the marvellous Cold Soup and The Joy of Sex, we began to relax.

I was on next with Beryl the Peril, my first ever idol, then Sharron read her fantastic piece The Tree-Lined Village Square. A great favourite of my guest and companion for night, Peter St James.

This is a montage of us performing. Also the corridor at the arts centre which, when full of nerves, seemed terribly long. And I got in a shot of our books which literally went like hot cakes!

This is me with my pal Peter just before the show. How I would have loved a stiff pre-performance G&T but I was driving. Bore! So I had to make do with sparkly water.

Thank you, Sharron and Trisha for including me in The Booming Lovelies. A unique experience.

We Booming Lovelies look forward to performing at the Guildford Institute on 13th May. Watch this space!

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry antics real soon…..

Girl…

Hello Poetry Lovers

Please be advised that these above are not my drawings. Aren’t they beautiful?! Such another era.

I don’t understand why Girl Annual had such a dull cover when there was so much beauty inside. It really didn’t advertise that very well for the newcomer.

I’ve penned a tongue-in-cheek tribute to this long gone publication…

Oh Girl Annual number Eight

With your signature red cover 

A bygone age for young girls

Before they took on a lover 

 Guide members in smart uniform

And ballet scholars in a leotard 

Immaculately drawn in black ink

Before these girls grew hard 

No problem pages, just cooking tips

Recipes with margarine and lard 

Canny blonde nurses in splendid capes

In Monochrome strips they starred 

Infinite advice for the prepubescent 

on sewing a patchwork cover

Sporting gals winning trophies 

Before their bodies they did discover 

Claudia of the Circus, Sally of the Seas

I fed on these stories with a passion 

But even the ardent of readers grow up

And you went out of fashion! 

Now, Poetry Lovers, can you guess which one is me in the above pictures?

Thanks for tuning in, and reading my little tribute. We’ll be back with more poetry adventures real soon….

Happy Easter

Hello Poetry Lovers

Happy Easter to you.

I expect like Christmas, childhood Easters come back to you. Weren’t the Easter Eggs much better then?! I got some fabulous ones – shaped like a clock and a house.

They’re so bland these days, I haven’t even seen one in a mug! We used those for a long time after Easter.

I’ve cobbled a little piece together to put how tantalising those eggs were sitting there until Easter Sunday. Just a fun piece (and I think I’ve invented a new form!).

Read on and Happy Easter…..

Hot Cross buns on Good Friday

chocolate eggs still out of range

but what I found really strange

was why it’s a normal day on Saturday ?!

Easter Eggs boxed and silver wrapped

sitting there on the family sideboard

my own personal cherished hoard

they had charm everything else lacked

being schooless was an extra joy

and gave the excuse to savour more

those chocolate objects by the back door

only surpassed by Christmas and toys

I did say it was cobbled together!

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry adventures real soon. In the meantime, enjoy your Easter…