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……
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
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.
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….
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….
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…..
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….
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…
Welcome back to the talk show studio. Today, our special guest is talented poet Roger Waldron…
( rapturous applauseas our esteemed guest walks somewhat cautiously down the lighted stairs )
Welcome to the show, Roger. Thank you so much for agreeing to be our guest.
Love those platform shoes! You’ve been to Man at C&A again, haven’t you?!
Now Roger, do fill us in on your background
Hello Heather, thank you so much for inviting me.
(Roger eases off his shoes)
I grew up in North Sheffield with my mum, dad and older brother. I still live in the area with Jane. Our grown-up children and their families also live in Sheffield.
I left school at 15 years old, without any qualifications. I didn’t take to school that well and they didn’t take to me – it didn’t matter because I was going to be a footballer.
After leaving school I went to work as an apprentice plumber for the council, but plumbing wasn’t for me, so after serving my 5 years, I left. I spent 18 months working in the steelworks before going on to work for a well-known telecommunications outfit where I spent the next 23 years moving through the ranks. I started as a telephone engineer which meant I dug roads and repaired cables, making sure that everyone was connected to their phones (hopefully…)
I moved to another company and became a supervisor/project manager which meant travelling round the north of England meeting lots of amazing people.
Now I’m retired and I am Head Gardener at both my children’s houses, look after our grandchildren and grand-dogs. I enjoy reading – I’m addicted to second-hand book shops – and writing poetry.
Oh I love them too. You find the most wonderful treasures buried there.
You’ve had a very full career, when did poetry become a part of your life?
I’ve always said, my education began when John Lennon walked up to a microphone and sang “Don’t Let Me Down.” Music has always been a big influence for me. I don’t remember doing poetry at school and if we did it would have gone in one ear and out the other.
In the early 1980s, Ian McMillan hosted a show on Radio Sheffield and asked for people to send in their poetry. I did this under a pen-name – Stan Cummings. At the time, I was digging holes and repairing cables and I’d listen to the radio with my workmates. I didn’t want them to know that the poems that were being read out were mine but then the secret was out when Rotherham libraries published a pamphlet “The 9’oclock from Rotherham.” I was also published in various poetry magazines of the time.
I then stopped writing for a long-time due to work and family life. But in 2018, I began to write again, I haven’t stopped since.
I follow Ian on Twitter. That’s fascinating, Roger. We’ve never had a poet on here who’s been “outed” before.
Who are your biggest influences?
Musicians are my biggest influences – including The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and of course being from Sheffield, Pulp and The Arctic Monkeys.
Poetry wise, my influences include Ian McMillan and Geoff Hattersley – as they are both from South Yorkshire – Selima Hill, Brendan Cleary, Fred Voss, Frank O’Hara and Carl Burkitt etc etc . All these poets write about the ‘everyday’ and I like to think that I do the same.
Oh Frank O’Hara – swoon! And you do, Roger. You achieve that same edgy style.
Tell us how ‘The C&A Years’ came about, and are you working on anything at the moment ?
I had been published by Dreich Magazine (thanks Jack Caradoc) so when I heard they were running a competition to publish a pamphlet, I sent off a bunch of my poems. My poems were chosen, and “My C&A Years” was published. I knew which poem needed to be at the beginning, which one I wanted in the middle and then which one should be at the end but then there’s no order to them or theme.
The poems are about everyday life and the people I meet along the way. People always say I have a story for every occasion. I always write the same poem but hopefully with different words.
I am always writing. At the moment, I am looking for a publisher for the pamphlet “Notes from Under a Continental Quilt.”
I loved the C&A years, and I look forward to your next pamphlet. I remember everyone calling them Continental Quilts once! Very exotic at the time.
What is the best poetry gig you have done and the worst?
The best one is always going to be the next! One good memory is of a recent poetry night at Theatre Deli in Sheffield. They had a power-cut which meant that I had to stand behind the bar and read my poems as it was the only place that had lights. That suited my poetry fine as people have said they picture me sat at a bar reading my poetry.
The worst one was quite a few years ago in Halifax in West Yorkshire. The room was full. But when the audience realised we were from South Yorkshire, everyone left apart from three women, and then halfway through the performance they said, “We don’t like poetry” and walked out. “Poetry to an empty room” that sounds like a title for my next pamphlet.
Oh Roger! That’s terrible! So much for poets being supportive! What a mean-spirited thing to do!
However, I love that image of you reading behind the bar.
And like all bad experiences, something positive came out of that – a potential pamphlet. Talk about a learning curve!
What can I say, Roger? Thank you for being such a wonderful guest
( Ecstatic applause)
Now what are you doing tonight, Roger? A poetry disco perhaps?
Actually, Heather, I’m going to meet Dobby at a club. She can get me in anywhere apparently.
So that’s where she’s gone?! And I’m not invited, am I?!
(Our esteemed guest shifts awkwardly)
Oh don’t worry, I’m used to it. Another night in front of Z Cars!
And another round of applause for Roger Waldron, Poetry Lovers
(audience cheer wholeheartedly as Roger elegantly ascends the lighted stairs)
Wasn’t Roger a terrific guest?! Do treat yourselves to a copy of The C&A Years A truly terrific collection.
Follow Roger on Twitter on @rogerthereg
Thanks for tuning in, PL’s and listening to another fascinating poet. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon…..
Heather Moulson 