Heather Moulson

Poems for Ukraine

Hello Poetry Lovers

We had a great night at the Willoughby Arms in Kingston on Friday, where Poetry Performance launched our anthology Poems for Ukraine.

A stunning collection of poems about the current situation in Ukraine, with proceeds going to British-Ukraine Aid. Full of strong pieces, there’s a particularly ruthless poet on page 60!

Kicking off with comic and amusing verse, introduced by Ian Lee-Dolphin in a very vibrant shirt indeed, Stephen Harman and Andrew Evzona performed witty pieces (with help from yours truly). That started the evening nicely and we saw wonderful readings from Connaire Kensit, Tony Josolyne, Robin Clarke, Keith Wait, Heather Montford, Margaret May, Fran Thurling, Birthday Boy Greg Freeman, the amazing Carla Scarano and many more…..

Andrew Evzona ended the first half with a very moving poem about the passing of our Queen.

The Booming Lovelies headlined this first half – aka Moi, Trisha Broomfield and Sharron Green. It was so lovely to perform together.

After a very well deserved interval where more books and raffle tickets were sold, the tone changed and Anne Warrington and Ken Mason opened the second half detailing how this nightmare in the Ukraine really began

It was a more sombre tone but had no less impact on the room. I read my own war poem plus Pratibha Castle’s In The Slips. There were some very moving readings including Dilly Orme and Adelaide favourite Barbara Lee. Plus newcomer Haroon Omar and Graham Harmes.

The readings of these talented poets really brought home the message of crisis and suffering in the Ukraine. It was indeed a very moving evening.

Brought to a great climax by Ian Lee-Dolphin’s powerful songs including Mad, Vlad and Dangerous to Know . Very clever piece.

With every thanks to Anne Warrington who devised this very special evening and to all the readers and supporters of this proud moment.

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s, and sharing this wonderful evening with me.

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

The Sealey Challenge part II

Hello Poetry Lovers

Well, what can I say about the Sealey Challenge 2022?! Only that I miss it already. A great and innovative journey bringing such awareness of poetry.

For the uninitiated, the Sealey Challenge is to read a poetry pamphlet every day of August. I’m sure you’ve worked out yourself that that is 31 pamphlets! Lordy!

These are the the ones Dobby and Fish sunk their teeth into (quite literally)

And these are the ones I feasted on myself;

And here are some more;

Sadly, I think this will be my last year of the Sealey Challenge, simply because I’m fresh out of pamphlets. Although we should never say never. Thank you Nichole Sealey for innovating this marvellous and unforgettable challenge. It’s been a real privilege.

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

Dobby’s Tribute

Hello Poetry Lovers

A short post today featuring Dobby’s tribute to The Queen.

Dobby and Fish have been terribly upset by our nation’s loss and how overnight the world changed for us. Therefore we present Dobby’s favourite poem, an old classic.

Pussycat pussycat, where have you been?

I’ve been up to London to visit the Queen.

Pussycat pussycat, what did you there?

I frightened a little mouse under her chair

MEOWW!

That’s it for today, PL’s. A short and sweet tribute to Her Majesty. Truly the end of an era. See you soon for normal service

My Night Out with Martin Figura

Yes, Poetry Lovers, you heard right. Martin Figura came to visit us on Sunday night at the Adelaide.

A great night of poetry as Martin blew us away as featured poet. How I’d been longing for him to come to Teddington and he did not disappoint.

It was a night of great poetry all round, with fabulous Anne Warrington, the vibrant Dilly Orme, enigmatic Stephen Harman, hilarious Andrew Evzona, the marvellous Greg Freeman, the talented musician and poet Felicity Buirski and many other wonderful readers.

Not to mention my adorable pal Hannah Stanislaus, Chris Naylor, Connaire Kensit, Carol Wain, Vicki Naylor plus newcomers Sian Mac and Mike Gordon.

We also had the honour of being visited by the wonderful Wendy Young. So nice to meet her in person at last. What an action packed night!

As Martin came on to read the first half of his work, there was an awed hush

Martin started with the very moving and new poem Bear, and already had the room in the palm of his hand. If it was possible to be moved anymore, Martin managed it with the title poem of his latest book My Name is Mercy.

After a priceless 10 minutes of fabulous poetry reading, Martin had a well-deserved break before he came back for the last 10 minutes of the evening.

By the end of the second half, we were ready for more from Martin Figura and he came up trumps with some wonderful, humorous pieces such as Amy’s Lovers, listing all the toys and characters his daughter loves. Followed by a great poem about Edward Heath (once the most unpopular prime minister), and a clever piece about Larkin being stuck at a party with the reader. Fantastic pieces, the room hanging onto every word.

I swooned as Martin read from my favourite book, and the first ever one of his I bought, Boring the Arse off Young People, reading The Trouble with Middle-Aged People…. Brilliant and witty poem.

Huge applause all round as Martin left the stage, loved by everyone. Well done, Martin and thank you so much for coming.

I had the honour of being photographed with Martin and Helen Ivory

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. That was truly a night and a half. Stay tuned for further poetry adventures ….

The Balham Experience

Hello Poetry Lovers

Well, I’ve knocked around the poetry business for some years (since 2017 anyway), and thought I’d seen it all, but today I had a brand new poetry experience.

Lovely poet Hannah Stanislaus organised a poetry event for Cancer Research in Balham High Street. What I didn’t realise was that it was a reading outside the shop. Almost street theatre.

Terrified, I watched the wonderful Kliche Kingston put on a vibrant performance telling genuinely funny gags and some marvellous poetry. Then amazing Hannah read her own fantastic pieces. Kliche and Hannah inspired me and gave me courage to take up that mike! My immediate audience being that bus stop queue.

**Lucy, Hannah’s lovely daughter, held the bucket with elegance**

It was funny reading poetry to a passing crowd, but also exhilarating. The only pain was that I had to keep turning the page! I took my treasured Beano Book of poems, the first one I ever did because it held pieces about friends who were no longer with us. The ambience and atmosphere between us was wonderful.

It was to run for half hour during lunchtime but as there were only the three of us, we packed up after 20 minutes, which I didn’t think was too bad for a first run.

Hannah is running these readings every Friday and Saturday at 12 noon. Do go to the Cancer Research Charity shop, in Balham High Street and support these readings. Or if you wanted to, take up the mike yourself and read to the people. This is a real and vital cause. Hannah is on Facebook if you wanted to book a place.

I returned elated and drained and I look forward to getting back there again on the 17th.

Thank you for that unique experience, Hannah. Raising a glass to you.

Thanks for tuning in, PL, and sharing my new experience. We’ll be back with the Sealey Challenge Part II real soon….

The Letter from Hell

Hello Poetry Lovers

As you know, I’ve been doing the Sealey Challenge, but not only that, I’ve been writing a prompt for every day of August. Puff!

Set by the wonderful @rzu on Instagram, I have been going flat out. I thought I would share one or two with you. The first is A Letter from Hell – a vile experience we have all shared. Read on;

The next one is an Eintou- all syllable count is out the window, I’m afraid. I’ve simply done 2 words, 4 words, 6 and 8 then back again. Have a look;

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s.

I’m in the last stages of The Sealey Challenge of which I will give a full report….stay tuned.

The Sealey Challenge (part one)

Hello Poetry Lovers

I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying the Sealey Challenge.

For the unenlightened, one has to read a poetry pamphlet every day for 31 days of August. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, not the easy feat it first sounded. Not to mention running out of books!

However, August is flying by alarmingly quickly and I seem to be on the case so far!

Oh yes, Dobby and Fish have got in on the action, and have read one or two. Dobby has particularly taken to Ogden Nash, that witty American poet.

So far, I have loved and read Greg Freeman, Rodney Wood (twice), Hannah Stanislaus, Barbara Brownskirt, Pratibha Castle, to name but many…

I also thought it would be nice to feature some children’s poetry this time. Such a delight to read.

As I said, Dobby, Fish and I had to go to the library to replenish my feeble collection of pamphlets

After an emotional kerfuffle, I selected these books

Us three look forward to tackling these, particularly Clive James, a much missed clever writer.

So stay tuned, PL’s and fingers crossed that I (and Dobby and Fish) get through the remainder of August with this wonderful and exacting task.

We’ll keep you posted!

Poetry Demons

Hello Poetry Lovers

Now, during this heat and the long days of August, instead of feeling sorry for myself as usual, I have been writing daily August poetry prompts and I have really been enjoying them.

I thought I’d share one of them with you, this particular prompt My Demons Write Poetry gave me the chance to sketch some imps. For some reason, I’ve always wanted to draw them. Anyway, read on…..

My Demons write poetry

while I sit here drinking coffee.

I offer to help but they seem

to have the task in hand.

How do they know what to put?!

How did they get that Pandora’s

Box key?!

The one that unlocks feelings,

memories and emotions?!

It seems to be their real forte,

and they have no intention of

returning it.

Nor the pencil, paper nor iPad.

They walk in uninvited,

make themselves at home.

I’ve seen a lot worse houseguests,

they’re polite enough, so I really

shouldn’t complain.

They text me when they’ve finished

and to expect them the next day.

H Moulson 2022

I had great fun writing that one. They’re quite nice demons really. Like monsters, not all of them are nasty.

Thanks for reading, PL’s and please keep cool in this heat. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon…

Villanelle Recipe

Hello Poetry Lovers

We return today to that thorn in the side poetry form – the Villanelle.

The lovely Poetry Performance regular and genius poet, Connaire Kensit has unfolded this enigmatic structure with a wonderful and concise villanelle. Do read on;

Whatever will be, will be.

Or will it?

We all agree that nature has fixed laws;

It seems our fate’s set solid, hard as ice

If we assume that all things have a cause.

The sardine can’t escape the dolphin’s jaws;

Predictions of eclipses are precise;

We all agree that nature has fixed laws.

Uncertainty will rarely win applause;

Mere chance events seem somehow not quite nice.

But why assume that all things have a cause?

We know our understanding has its flaws;

Errors have snared us more than once or twice;

But all agree that nature has fixed laws.

Confirmed determinists will clutch at straws;

Einstein felt sure God wouldn’t play at dice.

But why assume that all things have a cause?

All long-lived ladies face the menopause,

But weather forecasts can be imprecise.

We all agree that nature has fixed laws,

But why assume that all things have a cause?

Wasn’t that just a beautiful piece?! I think we should all write a villanelle after Connaire’s inspiration. I’m getting my head down now!

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

Interview

Hello Poetry Lovers

Welcome back to the talk show studio

(rapturous applause – host silences them with a stern look)

Today’s special guest is the wonderful poet and real talent, Sharon Andrews.

(Pandemonium- Security stir uneasily)

Now settle down, everyone. We want a nice dignified round of applause now for Sharon Andrews…!!

(Sharon wafts gracefully down the lighted staircase to loud clapping and joy from the audience)

Sharon, welcome to the show and thank you for being our guest tonight.

The pleasure’s all mine, Heather. Thank you for inviting me

I adore your thick false eyelashes. Very Dusty Springfield! Goes great with your leather mini skirt.

Ah thank you. Picked it up in Chelsea Girl this afternoon. I think I’ve got stuck to your seat though…

Well, only a cool lady like yourself can pull that one off – and er – lets hope you do. (Huge applause and agreement from the audience)

Now, settle down everyone while we concentrate on our guest.

So Sharon, I swooned over you on Instagram, fill us in a bit on your background.

I live in West Sussex with husband, Paul and our pup Einstein. Between us, we have three children who have all flown the nest.

I work in administration for my local fire service.

Einstein looks such a cute dog. I think Dobby is jealous!

When did poetry become a part of your life?

Poetry has been part of my life since childhood. I started reading at a young age and my first poetry was When we were young and Now we are six by AA Milne.

I started writing in primary school but became more passionate a writer during my moody teen years.

Beautiful books to grow up on. Only the best. Those teen years were long, weren’t they.

Who or what have been your biggest influences?

Music has always been a big influence. I adore the lyrics of artists like Justin Currie and Passenger.

Oh, fantastic choices there. A lot better than mine.

Tell us what you are working on next….

I am slowly starting to write a novel. It’s a modern tale about relationships and pets. It’s probably going to take a long time as my writing time is limited.

Fabulous, we’ll look forward to that (audience cheer in full agreement)

That is a fascinating subject. My cat is a big part of my life so that must be very absorbing to go into. Please keep us updated.

Now (audience gasp) for the ultimate question; What was the best gig you’ve ever done – and the worst ?

I’ll do the worst one first, which was an open mic I attended at my local library. Nobody told me you had to register so having plucked up the courage, I never got to perform.

The best ones I do are on Instagram Live with my poetry friends across the globe.

Yes, they are indeed very good, and really worth tuning into. You read beautiful poetry on there.

Give it a try everyone – inksomnia_poetry on Instagram. Highly recommended.

Tell us what you’re doing later tonight, disco? nightclub? Somewhere groovy, I expect.

Erm – actually, Heather, I’m going to try and get out of this very clingy leather skirt. And one of my false eyelashes is coming loose, so I think it’s home for me…