Heather Moulson

Stilettos and Cider

Hello Poetry Lovers

Today I’d like to feature my lovely and talented friend, Trisha Broomfield’s poem Stilettos and Cider.

This was longlisted very recently in the Plough Poetry Prize 2022, and well deserved too. Would you believe Trisha didn’t even know until I told her! Thank God I did. Trisha has given permission for me to share this warm and intricate piece with you. Well done, Trisha.

Stilettos and Cider

Youth confident we swing into the public bar

stilettos spike the flagstone floor,

landlord Don, a scowl to match his stout

huffs smoker’s breath on glasses from the wash

the fire roars mottles from our northern thighs

glows roses on our cider cheeks.

Flat-capped chaps talk bass notes

about sheep and old Harry’s knees

in the saloon, Eric wobbles on a plush-topped stool

fingers his fob chain, leers broken-veined

over yet another port.

Sally Army Sandra trips over Derek’s dog

ends up bonnet-squiffed in Arthur’s lap

collecting tin rattling thin.

Norma feeds the juke box, bops to Puppet on a String

disapproving looks cling to our sweaters

darts fly past our back-combed hair,

girls aren’t allowed to play.

We’re sussing out the only young farmer in the room

shame he’s ginger.

Trisha Broomfield 2022

Wasn’t that just beautiful, PL’s? It’s nice to see a great piece like that acknowledged and long-listed at the very least. Thank you, Trisha for letting me share that with our poetry lovers.

Stay tuned for more poetry shenanigans real soon…..

Tenby

Hello Poetry Lovers

Well, the time has come to tell you all about Tenby. I was privileged to be invited by the wonderful Celine Hispiche, of the vibrant Celine’s Salon in Soho. A great and regular event that keeps Soho alive.

Arriving on the Saturday, I was met off the very Welsh speaking train by that glamorous couple, Celine and her lovely husband Garry. They took me to this beautiful house where we were staying, bang next to the sea.

I looked forward to writing by that beautiful window.

Also staying at the house was an enigmatic playwright, director and poet Billy Parker. What an amazing and talented housemate. Celine discovered Billy in the infamous French House in Soho.

Later on, the lovely Clancy Gebler Davies joined us. A very beautiful photographer, and a whirlwind of talent.

What a household!

Celine ran a workshop on Sunday afternoon in this incredible room with the most remarkable and talented people, then we came outside for a tea break. Excuse the slippers!

After another fantastic session on Monday morning, with Celine, Billy and I, I managed to get a strong piece together. I was so proud of that. I knew then I was ready to go out there! We all were!

That night the Tenby museum belonged to Celine and her talented artistes. This included the lovely Siobahn Lancaster with the wonderful Billy Parker. Watch out for these two vibrant poets and writers.

Siobhan read a fascinating piece on being ‘£10 Poms’, a campaign to get people to Australia in the sixties and seventies. I’m old enough to remember this era, and that some emigres at our school came back within the year. It was not the utopia it promised to be. Very interesting era and subject.

So, 7 o’clock came around and the lovely iconic Celine introduced us and embraced the audience with her powerful piece, and her moving song. This very clever innovator has given us Celine’s Salon (Soho), a show on Radio Soho, and performances in Derry and Glasgow. I feel this is only the start of what Celine will do, and I recommend looking out for her. With her lovely and clever husband Garry who is a genius behind the scenes, they make a powerful team.

So, what can I say about the following performance?! I was awed and honoured to witness such a wealth of talent, including the dulcet tones of Billy Parker, the stunning Susie Wild, the Welsh speaking and vibrant Ros Garret, the impressive Emily Vanderploeg, the powerful readings of Meredydd Barker, lovely reflective words from Bob Reeves, a great performance from Kevin O’Dowd. Not to mention Nerys Beattie, my new gifted friend who took me back to my childhood with her unique piece. The beautiful words and songs from Celine herself. Plus a fitting climax with beautiful music from Jimmy and Charley, their strong rapport shining through. Not sure who that pushy one in pink is! I know she got a fantastic reception.

So what could I say after that?! I left Tenby with inspiration and strong memories. Not to mention new material.

Thank you so much for everything, Celine and Garry. You too, Tenby, for being so welcoming…

Thanks for tuning in, Poetry Lovers. I loved going over that journey again. Tune in real soon for more Poetry antics….

Post Tenby Testcard

Hello Poetry Lovers

Just back from an exhilarating experience in Tenby. While I put together my poetry story and journey, I’ll treat you to another Dobby testcard. Sit tight and watch this space

Then Dobby wakes up…..

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. Watch this space real closely

Tenby Testcard

Hello Poetry Lovers,

I’m going to Tenby for a few days to be with the lovely Celine’s Salon, so for now here is a testcard.

Dobby makes sure I’m on that train for Tenby!

She gets the house to herself for a few days!

Dobby gets off the phone quickly, she has urgent business to attend to…

Meanwhile, I embrace poetry

While Dobby embraces her own art;

So watch this space, PL’s for further Tenby adventures…..

A Night Out….

Hello Poetry Lovers

I’d love to share a night out with you on Friday 13th May. My lovely friend Raefer and I went to the Vauxhall Tavern to see the marvellous poet Barbara Brownskirt

Swooning over Ms Brownskirt at the Slip Off Festival in 2019, I asked the festival organiser and dear pal, Barney Ashton-Bullock where she’d been all my life! I have been an avid follower of her since.

Barbara (AKA Karen Mcleod) is poet in residence at the 197 bus stop in Croydon Road, Penge. I am amazed pilgrimages are not made to this hallowed place.

Before making the rounds with Judi Dench communion wafers, Barbara treated us to poems from her latest pamphlet The Bus Stop Will Not Be Sanitised (volume 25). These included Menopause, Do the Shake and Vax, and Table for One.

Keeping Ms Brownskirt company were Audrey Heartburn, and Wife Material with the very married Sophia and Heleana Blackwell. The former already being a skilled and accomplished poet and founder of the literary salon at Blacks Club in Soho. Heleana matching her wife in talent.

Plus, I want that dress, Sophia! Give it to me now!

Do not miss this treat at the the Camden Fringe Festival 22nd August 2022

Neither should you miss Audrey Heartburn (AKA Tracey Collins) – a real laugh out loud and genuinely funny pastiche of the Breakfast at Tiffany’s icon. She will be in cabaret at the Above the Stag theatre on Friday 27th May with Shell Suit Cher and other goodies. Don’t miss her. Wonderful and talented artiste and singer.

I’m proud to support the Penge Poetry Revolution. This is now my favourite place and bus stop, and I look forward to visiting it soon.

Thank you so much, Ms Brownskirt for a wonderful night.

The wonderful Barbara Brownskirt returns to the Vauxhall Tavern on Friday 9th September. Get yourselves there now!

Do visit http://www.karenmcleod.co.uk for more information on Karen Mcleod or the revolutionary Barbara

Thanks for dropping by, Poetry Lovers. We’ll be back with more shenanigans real soon….

Poetry Test Card

Dobby takes on more poetry…..

British People in Hot Weather

Hello Poetry Lovers

On Thursday 21st April, I went to the wonderful St Anne’s church in the heart of Soho to see the launch of Paul McGrane’s new collection British People in Hot Weather

Set in this exquisite panelled room, the much missed Paul McGrane, formerly of the Poetry Society and the wonderful Poetry@3, launched his hot (geddit?!) new pamphlet published by Indigo Dreams

Paul started off with reading Welcome to my Country and The Government from his previous pamphlet Elastic Man. Another great recommended collection.

This built up our anticipation for his new collection British People in Hot Weather, from which he read Act, a wonderful detailed account of the poet’s first nativity play, and Kissing, and the lack of it in the narrator’s family. (To be honest, I used to hate all that sloppy kissing as a kid but I got the poet’s point.) The poignant and disturbing Need followed by the very visual Thrift. These powerful pieces spoke volumes.

Among familiar and new faces, there was open mic and I read a short piece called Paperboy that for some reason, I had written in shorthand! Which is okay as long as you can read it back!

Eating my sandwich downstairs in the foyer of St Anne’s during the 10 minute break, a nice man took pity on me and said I could get a cup of tea in the church. I assured him I was fine but blessed him for his kindness.

As we reluctantly wound down, Paul announced he was having monthly open mic sessions again at Walthamstow starting from the 19th May. I really look forward to going…..

Thanks for a great and enlightening afternoon, Paul

Paul McGrane is holding open mic at the Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre Pub, Walthamstow E17 from Thursday 19th May, and every third Thursday of each month. Do go along if you can. 3.30 to 5.30 pm http://Www.poemsnotbombs.eventbrite.co.uk

British People in Hot Weather is published by Indigo Dreams Publishing. Treat yourselves http://Www.indigodreams.co.uk

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

Cyrch a Chwta

Hello Poetry Lovers

Yes, that is an eye-catching title, isn’t it.

Last week, I took a fascinating poetry building blocks course with the wonderful Poetixu on Instagram and learnt some interesting new forms of writing poems.

The one that really stuck with me was the Cyrch a Chwta, an old Welsh form.

An Octave (8 lines), 7 syllables per line, all rhyming except the penultimate (line 7) and then the last rhyme has to rhyme with it at some point. Read on, hopefully for the uninitiated, this will be clearer than my muddled explanation.

Your performance was so dire
So Like a funeral pyre
It did not set me on fire
And don’t call me a liar
I knew you were crap prior
And I heard all this via
THE CRITICS WHO SAY YOU STINK!
I think that’s on the flyer

And then we were set a bonus task with using rhymes that aren’t necessarily the same sound

Why do you look so gaudy?
You flaunt it so completely
People will think you’re bawdy
And look at you so strangely
I just think you are greedy
You make all the girls angry
Don’t go out looking like that
Please don’t act like a floozy

H Moulson 2022

What fun! See if you can attempt that yourselves, and send them in on a postcard. Dobby will sort them, so be diligent. Thanks for tuning in, Poetry Lovers. We’ll be back real soon…..

Interview

Hello Poetry Lovers

Yes, I know. Another treat in the talk show studio. Today our guest will be Chris the Postman Poet! (Rapturous applause. Security is called)

(Chris glides down the lighted stairs effortlessly)

Thank you so much for coming on the show, Chris

The pleasure’s all mine. (Standing ovation. Host silences them with a look)

May I say I love that long hair. Do you blowdry it regularly?

Oh yes, I took great tips from Vidal Sassoon and Timotei

Well, it’s paid off. Lovely flowing locks there. Also adore the shirt. What a cool guy! (Audience cheer) Now, Chris, take that comfy seat and tell us about your background

Secondary education was largely a disaster for me. Doing the wrong thing with the wrong people. Less of a school – more of a regime. However, there was a brilliant undervalued art teacher who offered praise and encouragement and let me use his own watercolours. There was also a young forward-thinking English teacher, and I was lucky enough to be taught by him for a year. He read us Little Johnny’s Confession by Brian Patten. I didn’t realise how important this was at the time.

School finished abruptly for me after coming last in ”O” levels. A relief really. Then I was at the Ministry of Agriculture for seven years. Art took centre stage for me in pen and ink and watercolours, and I developed my style and started selling my work.

That’s amazing, Chris. There’s always a small ray of light, isn’t there. Some teacher with saving graces. Then you came into your own as an artist.

When did poetry become a part of your life?

During this time I was quite happy reading and enjoying poetry, along with other classic literature. Graham Greene, Thomas Hardy, Mervyn Peake, Iris Murdoch, so many great wordsmiths. Such great music and textures in words – The Tingle Factor! I was a sponge soaking it up. I became a postman nineteens years ago and it was a lifesaver! Painting and reading again. When you stop hitting your head with a hammer, it doesn’t hurt anymore. I started writing poetry four years ago.

I’m loving this journey, Chris. It wasn’t an easy one but you got there.

Who are your biggest influences?

Roger McGough, Adrian Henri, Brian Patten. How could they not be?! They’ve been simmering away in my head for decades! The mighty John Cooper Clarke. Always there. I love alliteration and the sound and rhythm of words, as he says: ”If it don’t sound good, it ain’t good.” The tragic Kirsty MacColl. She could write a funny and thoughtful story and put it into three minutes. And anyone who throws me a good line or idea.

That’s an impressive list, Chris. Are you working on a book or collection at all?

I probably am working on a book and if you’d asked me two years ago, I would have shouted Yes! The plague knocked my confidence and doubt crept in. When a live performance is up and running again, and I can do a proper gig, ask me then.

I know, we’re really living in limbo at the moment, aren’t we. And what live poetry there is now, it’s all very tentative. Well, I really hope you do. Your work is so funny and poignant (Audience cheer in agreement) Okay, we come to that most anticipated question; what is the best gig you’ve ever done, and the worst…?

Two gigs, if I may…. A few summers ago I was asked to do a 45 minute poetry slot at The Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary open day. The building exudes a calmness and serenity, it felt like walking on air. The time went in a flash and was blissful. Forty people went away happy and smiling.

Dorking is Talking in November 2019, Isabel Morris’s brilliant poetry night – please come back! The Dirty Carols were the main feature and were staggeringly good. I was the first featured poet and after a shaky start, it went well. Isabel asked me back to do ”Cyclist” and the response was overwhelming. Thank you so much, Isabel.

As for the worst gig, my poetry is lightweight and I make no apologies for it. Although I do address serious issues. I want to make people laugh and perhaps take away a line that sticks in the mind. Sometimes open mic gigs can be very dark and claustrophobic, I want to run away screaming. I wrote ”The Poetry Imposter” after one of those gigs. Not a poem for a live set. Not yet anyway.

Ah Chris, you took me on another journey there. Yes, Dorking is Talking, what a great concept by Isabel Morris. Took me back to those heady and unsuspecting autumn days of 2019.

And you’re so right about some open mics, only another poet can understand that unwelcomeness.

Thank you so much for coming on the show, Chris (outstanding ovation from the audience. Security look nervous)

Now you must be going off somewhere really cool. The Lightbox disco perhaps?

I’ve got to condition my hair tonight, so I’ll probably give it a miss.

Me too. Feet up and watching Simon Dee for me. Thank you so much, Chris. You’ve been a lovely and insightful guest, hasn’t he, Poetry Lovers! (Pandemonium- Security are called). Our esteemed guest is smuggled out the building.

Wasn’t Chris the Postman a great guest?! Do catch him when you can, a lovely, funny and engaging poet.

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

Belated National Tea Day

Hello Poetry Lovers

A belated National Tea Day to you. Last Thursday I believe, and how could I not acknowledge such a cherished institution?! Especially with this wonderful piece from talented Trisha Broomfield and her beautiful poem that sums up how we feel about this lifesaving drink.