Time Held Me Pink and Glowing As I Dived Into Poetry

Ok, I have obviously taken inspiration from Dylan Thomas , but it seems like the perfect reason to explain why I have been blog-absent for nearly two months. Yes, honestly I have been diving into poetry, though no, I am not pink…

April / May was taken up with Easter and seaside stays in early Summer heat . Then came the exciting Nottingham Poetry Festival , with a vibrant open mic at Sneinton’s The Fox and Grapes . The latter is fast becoming a cultural hub as it hosts poets and writers , whether for creative huddles or big , thrown open wide poetry nights. The NPF Open Mic delivered a burgeoning mass of verse, song and polemic . Poets spoke, poets listened, poets praised other poets and , yes, it was a good night. Four hours of freedom , speech and love, with humour and the odd cynical flourish thrown in. Georgina Wilding charmed the poets out of their beers and perfectly hosted such a varied crowd. All this and the launch of the NPF Programme, so it was a great way to get started.

Lytisha  Tunbridge took us on an inspired trip, “ To The Moon and Back” . It certainly got Nottingham’s creatives in its gravitational hold and I wanted to stay , but other planets beckoned.

The highlight for me was Roger Mcgough and Henry Normal at Lakeside, supported by Cleo Asabre-Holt and  Harminder Nagi. Roger seems effortlessly cool but his poems are warm , responsive and always full of humour and wry observations. Henry holds the audience in his hands and I mean that in a good way! His poetry is pared down to its finest points, never too much said but the precision draws wonderful pictures of his life and ours. Henry shows us how to write, how to live each moment and remember what it means, how to temper the knocks life throws at you with love and a light touch. Cleo offers raw emotion and polished verse, Narminder wows with his personal recollections.

There were a myriad of wonderful poetry offerings during the festival to suit all tastes and pockets. Unfortunately due to over excitement (?) I had an attack of the vapours and had to lie low in bed for most of it. This was not what I had planned at all. Conserving my energies was essential as on Friday May 3 , as part of NCP, I launched “Poetry Cocktail Open Mic” . There were 50 attendees and one ecstatic host. What an enjoyable night with local Lady Bay poets, writers and enthusiasts joined by some fine poets from further afield. Georgina Wilding, Nottingham Young Poet Laureate did a surprise reading which delighted all and featured poet Lytisha Tunbridge had an aptly named “ gatherings” theme for her poetry, with fine work from her own collection.

Poetry Cocktail was a blast , with a cherry garnish! More Cocktail poetry night to come…🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸💕💕💕