All I want for Christmas ...

A gorgeous, late Autumn day yesterday. Leaves on trees by Bristol Bridge caught the light like stained glass.

I sat for a while in the grounds of Temple Church, the tower of which looked as if it were gradually melting in the sunshine.

It's been a while since I'd walked through the Bearpit in the Haymarket. I really like the murals, right by the walkway to Broadmead Shopping Centre ...

...and the nod to Keats as I left, empty-handed. (I was only passing through.)  

I can think of one link between Christmas shopping and poetry - and you won't even have to brave your equivalent of Broadmead to get your hands on them ...

Another Review for the Launch of 'Communion'

Another review for the launch of 'Communion' last Friday, from my old mucker, Tony - plus a photo of when he had hair and I wore mine big and back-combed ... 

'Communion' is published by Indigo Dreams, and is available from their website, or from Amazon.co.uk and .com, W H Smith online, or good independent bookshops, price £6.99 (or less).   To read some of my poems, click here.

Review of Launch for 'Communion'

Just had my attention drawn to a nice review of Friday's launch of my poetry collection, 'Communion'.  Thanks, Miss BLT! 

'Communion' is published by Indigo Dreams, and is available from their website, or from Amazon.co.uk and .com, W H Smith online, or good independent bookshops, price £6.99 (or less).   To read some of my poems, click here.

Fly, My Pretties

I'd wanted a big brass lectern with an eagle on it for the launch of my poetry collection, 'Communion', but they cost over £4,000, so I had to settle for a plain oak one off eBay for 50 quid. However, Dru Marland brought a  chirrupy little robin along instead, and under his tutelage, my poems teetered out onto the branch and jumped.  

The evening went as well as I could have hoped, with a packed room despite the filthy weather. (At one point, as I was unloading the car over a torrent of water pouring down the road, I thought I'd be reading to thin air, but lots of people made a big effort to be there, including poets Dónall Dempsey and Jan Windle from Guildford, my sister from Nottingham, and a couple of people I'd only been friends with over Facebook/My Space up until now.)  

Thank you to everyone who braved the elements to support me.   Also, thank you to Nila, the manager of the Halo Café Bar; Reg Meuross who played and sang valiantly despite his inflamed pharynges; to Dru, Alana Farrell, John Terry and Liza Sylvian who read some of the poems which needed more than one voice; to Hazel Hammond, who opened and closed the proceedings with aplomb; and to David Bosankoe who recorded them.

 

'Communion' is published by Indigo Dreams, and is available from their website, or from Amazon.co.uk and .com, W H Smith online, or good independent bookshops, price £6.99 (or less).   To read some of my poems, click here.

Up North

Been up and down to Leeds half a dozen times in the last few months, for one reason and another.   It's an interesting place. 

And I fell in love the night before last. Look at this!  There's a ticket booth, where we bought our tickets, which I don't ever remember seeing when I was a kid.  And a gilded balcony, red velvet curtains, and an orange clock, which I do.  No usherette with a torch and a tray of tubs and choc ices, though.

 

Reading at Holt Acoustic Club, 18th October 2011

This is me reading at Holt Acoustic Club on 18th October 2011. Also on the bill were Wiltshire, based singer Jacqueline Sharp, and Reg Meuross, and we all had a warm reception and a thoroughly enjoyable evening in friendly company.

Coming up on Friday 4th November is the launch for my poetry collection, 'Communion'. It will be held in the Halo Café Bar at 141 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8BA, and will feature Bristol poets Alana Farrell, Dru Marland, and John Terry, along with singer-songwriter Reg Meuross.  It starts at 8pm and entrance is free.

At this point, I feel compelled to point out that my definition of Communion is very broad, encompassing love and sex and friendship. Therefore, Sunday best need not be worn, and alcohol will be on sale in the bar.  See you there, I hope!

Poetry Space

Here's a link to a fantastic review of 'Communion', my collection of poems, by Sue Sims of Poetry Space.

You can read some of my poetry here.  'Communion' is available to buy from the Indigo Dreams website, or from Amazon.