X-Files

An atheist, materialist, anticapitalist poetry that trusts no one, not even itself? What kind of cultural capital does poetry have? How is that capital distributed and redistributed? And how does the distribution of that capital relate to the distribution or redistribution of any other kind of capital?

Composting

The composting system. Kitchen and soft garden waste in... We get two veg boxes a week. One is from a local organic farm. The other is an "Oddbox" of farm-rescued veg that is surplus to supermarket requirements. We eat a lot of vegetable soup. Rots down And then gets turned into the second chamber... Second … Continue reading Composting

A Failing State

Britain is, I believe, a failing state among floundering nations. As the "state" withdraws from sectors of activity it becomes just another firm among many: a big gang, yes, but having no more validity and diminishing loyalty.

Intentions and actions

How much do I want that stage? I went to the Verve Poetry Festival celebration of spoken word open-mic culture in Birmingham. A showcase event for four crews. I knew - to nod to at least - some on stage and audience. I have performed for some. I put my name in the hat for … Continue reading Intentions and actions

Verve Poetry Festival Celebration of Live Poetry

I am celebrating in Birmingham tonight at the Hippodrome for the Verve Poetry Festival https://vervepoetryfestival.com/ celebration of four different Brum open mic scenes. There will be a few open mic slots. I hope to get one but won't mind if I don't. Should be an inspiring night. Poetry filling a big theatre.

Outsideleft Sunday Poet

I am very pleased to have been asked to contribute a poem to Outsideleft, "I Know You're in Pain." https://www.outsideleft.com/main.php?updateID=2955 Jay Lewis, who is one of the editorial team, approached me after I spoke verse at Verve Open Door in Birmingham on 16 Jan 24. We exchanged email addresses. A week later, I saw him … Continue reading Outsideleft Sunday Poet

The objective corellative

The purpose of any writing is to affect a reader's view of the world as it is. Maybe making a judgement in the cold light of a sober morning, or using the righteous incandescence of powder and spirits at night. In the face of Gaza, Aleppo, Mariupol and any number of other mass graves with … Continue reading The objective corellative

Social Posting

I am using JetPack, the WordPress back end spun out into a useful micro and meso blogging/ social-media posting app. Now, if we could read federated (not Meta "curated") posts through a personally chosen interface I might bunny hop back into view 😉

What I want from my poetry

I like clusters, soups and smoothies, putting things together and feeling the energy generated between the one and the many. My cluster of three: individuation, compassion and capacity. Individuation: each person, place and thing is unique, a moment, a point, an instance. Compassion: treat each and all with kindness. Capacity: know your shit; have allies. … Continue reading What I want from my poetry