Cry Freedom

Hello Poetry Lovers

This is to tell you that Cry Freedom will be at Hampton Hill Theatre on Sunday 4th June.

Directed by Anne Warrington and Ken Mason, with strong poetry, this promises to be a great production.

This is the rehearsal from yesterday at the White House. Many great performers are working hard, including Heather Montford, Connaire Kensit, Sam Ball, Suzy Rigg, Ian Le Dolphin, Sue Bell and many others. Not to mention innovative direction from Anne Warrington and Ken Mason.

We hope to see you there at 4 pm on Sunday.

Thanks for tuning in, Poetry Lovers. We’ll be back after the Cry Freedom performance with a full review. Don’t touch that dial!!

Surrey New Writer’s Festival

Hello Poetry Lovers

On a sweltering Saturday, I went to the Surrey New Writer’s Festival at the University of Surrey. What an enriching day that was …

While my friend Trisha was in the How to Make a Living as an Author class, I was establishing the two vital points of the day – the cafe and smoking area – then I was satisfied enough to explore the Writing for Performance Panel in the Triangle Room. A powerful team, chaired by Annum Salman, talking about putting words into performance.

Reuniting with the fabulous Jeremy Loynes,

we skipped into the Lunch Time Open Mic in the Square Room (why does this remind me of Play School?!). Here we were treated to fabulous performances from Alice Fowler, a good friend on Twitter, who read from her wonderful new book The Truth has Arms and Legs. Powerful writing, Alice. I can’t wait to get a copy.

Then many delightful pieces including Genevieve Grant-Thompson, Liz Kendall, Elaine McGinty, Sharron Green and Trisha Broomfield

No idea who that last poet is. Blagged her way in there, I’m sure!

A hasty lunch before we embraced the Square Room once again for a conversation with Ellery Lloyd interviewed by the marvellous Sharron Green

I’ve been a big admirer of this crime writing team, and they offered fascinating insight into how they worked together. Keep up the good work, you two!

Then a high tea with Neel Mukherjee and Monica Ali. Nice intelligent writers and even nicer cake! Num! And the day did not stop there, at 5 pm in the Round Room was a Paths to Publication Panel and in the Triangle Room, a Visual Writing Panel.

So wonderful to spend a day with my lovely pals, Trisha Broomfield, Sharron Green and Elaine McGinty

Thank you for an enriching day out, Surrey Writer’s Festival, and thank You, Poetry Lovers for tuning into my story. We’ll be back with more poetry adventures real soon…..

An Afternoon out with Roger McGough

Yes, PL’s, you heard right. I spent the entire afternoon with Roger McGough at The Exchange in Twickenham. And yes, me and at least 300 others but….

Myself and the lovely Sharron Green aka rhymes_n_roses and Booming Lovely, were honoured to be among the finalists in the Roger McGough Poetry Competition.

It was also a pleasure to meet the talented Claudia Court and Lara Frankena, who I have loved on 1000 Monkeys zoom readings. Plus a real bonus to meet Judith Wozniak from the SKEGS stanza group

Judith was placed third with her lovely poem Five Foot in her Slippers. A great piece and a great poet, well done Judith.

Now I know what you’re thinking, Poetry Lovers, did I win first prize and take my rightful place Up There with the hallowed Roger? The answer is No, (bore!).

However as compensation, I got Roger to sign my anthology and had a photo taken with him. He stood up especially. Bless him

Am I a schmoozer or what?!

The adorable Sharron Green got in there too;

Us two, eh? No stopping us. I am honoured to be part of this anthology and I strongly recommend it

It was a lovely afternoon, directed by Anne Warrington, with some delightful poetry and a great atmosphere. Presented to perfection by the wonderful Sam Ball. Catch him in Cry Freedom at Hampton Hill Theatre on 4th June at 4 pm. A real delight.

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. I have more adventures to share real soon……

The H Word….

Hello Poetry Lovers

This week, we give another nod to lovely poet and tutor Sue Burge who feeds me a poetry gym keyword every week. I would thoroughly recommend it.

A very recent task was to make a poem using the word H. This particular letter has a distinct sound as you draw breath to say it. And it’s at the front of all sort of fun words and emotions.

Here’s a hapless piece (you’re getting it already, aren’t you!) I drew up. Grim in places but you know how it is…..

Hapless Piece

Homesickness woke me but hope warmed my coffee

Happiness not at home but humility washed the dirty plates

Hovering cigarette in the ashtray and an unwashed floor 

Hatred could so easily take over the household, with 

Humiliation moving in as its housemate. 

Haplessness could so easily succumb to hysteria but

Home is the only place I have. 

H Moulson 2023

And if that one didn’t depress you, this one will….

Got up. Happiness not at home so 

Hope warms up my coffee 

Heartwarming clothes on the dryer

Wool engulfs my cold skin 

However, the day looked dire 

H Moulson 2023

Do have a shot at this. All the letters we take for granted can open up a new meaning. I look forward to your H pieces first.

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

Domestic Corner…

Hello Poetry Lovers

Now I love writing about housework, I have no idea why. I’m not an avid follower of this practice. (Sneezes from the dust).

I mean, my dollshouse is immaculate, not a hair out of place but a 1:1 home …. Well….

The lovely talented poet Trisha Broomfield has given us a sharp insight into the nostalgia we carry of our mothers doing housework as we were growing up. Who remembers Fight the Flab by the hallowed Terry Wogan? Everybody, I think. This is so well summed up.

Do read on for this lovely piece….

Dusting

Mum wore stilettos to do the dusting

kicking them under the sideboard

the minute Terry Wogan began his

Fight the Flab.

She bent, stretched, 

plied her way round the dining room,

stopping only to make a coffee

with full cream milk.

The dust awaited her return,

settling down softly

behind her back.

Afternoons were filled with ironing

she burnt through dad’s vest

while watching the racing on TV,

as her choice romped home lengths ahead.

The next day, more dusting,

spraying surfaces with Pledge

daring dust to settle.

It took no notice.

Motes floated, 

slid along sunbeams chuckling

daring her to flick her yellow duster.

But she did, 

stilettos at the ready, duster in hand

she gave battle daily.

20/04/2023Trisha Broomfield

Wasn’t that wonderful, PL’s. Thank you so much, Trisha. Please keep them coming. There is housework in all our souls, as cherished as cooking…..

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

More Cat Action…..

Hello Poetry Lovers

Yes, we’re back to my favourite subject – Cats.

Clever and talented poet Trisha Broomfield has written a beautiful nonet and tanka on our feline pals, and put over their personality with skill.

Thank you so much, Trisha. Please keep them coming. Read on to enjoy these clever pieces ;

Cat Nonet

Cat

slinking,

thinks unseen,

soft pads slowly

sinking into grass,

believes birds unaware

cat breathes, pausing, life on edge,

blackbird, alarm call, all awakes.

cat feigns nonchalance, silent spell breaks.

Trisha Broomfield 2023

Cat Tanka

Cat wakes and stretches

a warm night spent on cushions

twitches his whiskers

long-limbed looks for birds to catch

up above blue tits hatch.

©TB

Weren’t they just stunning pieces, PL’s. Thank you again, Trisha (and Perry).

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

Blackout Poem

Hello Poetry Lovers

Today we look at the Blackout poem. Thanks to a prompt from Surrey New Writers Festival, I took on this daunting task. For the uninitiated, you have to find an article or piece of about 500 words, and select 30 to 40 words

Like so, as they used to say on the TV. It can be quite fiddly. So I selected 30 words from Matt Rudd’s column in The Sunday Times magazine. Then listed them all and composed some sort of logical piece.

The idea is that they can summarise the original piece, or present a counter-argument. Not sure if I’ve done either but it’s been fun trying.

Easter   Choirboy

Vicar   Desired   God 

Sin   Forgiveness 

Woolworth   Pilfered  Sweet

Bonfire    Spreadsheet 

Pearly gates  Absolute  Hell 

Almighty

Religion  Concluded  Childhood 

Christian   Reason 

Seventh  Day

Death  Nothingness  Eternity 

Kinder    Neighbour 

Magical  Comforting 

Purgatory 

H Moulson 2023

Phew! Another form learnt. Now, PL’s, there’s a blackout poem in your soul – don’t argue – and I would love to see them. Cheers to Surrey New Writer’s Festival for opening another door to me

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

Introducing The Booming Lovelies

Hello Poetry Lovers

Well I said there was some exciting news and here it is. I cannot believe we are doing this wonderful venture at the Guildford Fringe Festival this year.

However, it is all confirmed, booked, decided and I still keep pinching myself (ouch!).

Upstairs at The Keep Pub – opposite Guildford Castle – on Friday 7th July at 8 pm, we – the Booming Lovelies, with Sharron Green and Trisha Broomfield – will be performing there. Our first ever Fringe! So exciting.

To think, last June, when we went to see the fabulous poet Robert Garnham perform at that very same venue, it did not occur to us we would be performing there ourselves. How unpredictable life is.

The lovely Robert will be back there on 28th June so do catch his act, and please catch our’s a week later. There will be many many updates…..

This is an extract from the online brochure….

“Meet the Booming Lovelies! Ladies of a certain age, unafraid to share their wealth of life experience with anyone brave enough to listen and curious to hear. Poetically primed and eager to charm with verses on everything from nostalgia for the last century to lost loves, the menopause and the joys and complexities of modern life. All welcome – there’s something for everyone – so relax and enjoy a wonderful performance.”

TICKETS £10

These are pictures of us at rehearsal yesterday:

So watch this space, PL’s, for further updates. Thanks for tuning in…..

Click on the link below for more information and how to get tickets….

Meet the Booming Lovelies

Seasons…..

Hello Poetry Lovers

How could I not write about seasons during this turbulent weather?!

Glimpses of sun and warmth filtering through vicious wind and chill.

So I selected the verse that used to be on the back of exercise books. There are two versions but I chose this one because it was longer. Now, we all know this one and it’s followed by a beautiful piece by Christina Rossetti, which is far more visual…..



Thirty days has September,


April, June, and November,


All the rest have thirty-one,


Save February at twenty-eight,


But leap year, coming once in four,


February then has one day more.

Traditional

My Lady Spring

My Lady Spring is dressed in green, 

She wears a primrose crown, 

And little baby buds and twigs

Are clinging to her gown;

The sun shines if she laughs at all, 

But if she weeps the raindrops fall. 

Christina Rossetti

Wasn’t that a lovely piece? How I wish we could see her read live.

Now, you must tell me your favourite seasons and poems! That’s an order!

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

Scandal….

Hello Poetry Lovers

Do you remember The News of the World, that old Sunday staple? Well, this following poem is not dissimilar to one of their scandalous headlines!

Our cub reporter was there in person, readers, and brought us all the scandal of this poetry party and their lewd behaviour! Such an expose! Read on if you dare….

Sestina fell in love with Haiku

Swearing blind their love was true 

Limerick swooned over Trimeric’s verses

So did Villanelle – who muttered curses

Triadic held tight onto Epic’s arm 

Staying susceptible to Elfchen’s charm

One Minute Poem with Tanka flirted 

All Serious issues completely skirted 

Didactic gave their orders and instructions

Tritina went through the usual functions 

Ekphrastic and Dactylic Hexameter kissed 

While the sonnets were busy getting pissed 

The Chant poem just went on and on 

While nonet and couplets got it on 

For Triolet, it was love at first sight

Walking with Madrigal in the moonlight 

(The Italian version!) 

H Moulson 2023

Would you believe it, PL’s?! Those nice innocuous poems! Or so we thought! Stunned and shocked by their behaviour! Any poetry scandal you have, please pass this way! Good for circulation!

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