In this, the final selection in our 'Difference & Defiance' series by our guest editor Jess Green, the planet defies us and the end is nigh... It’s In The Air The world decided it was time to take a dive, reset the code. Our high street was a dead land, people drowning in their iPods, … Continue reading It’s In The Air by Marc Brightside
Author: Kirsten Luckins
Poet and performer.
North East Programme Co-ordinator for Apples and Snakes.
First collection, The Trouble With Compassion, launched March 2016 and available from Burning Eye Books.
First solo show, The Moon Cannot Be Stolen, voted second in Saboteur Awards 2014. Second show currently under construction.
Poet-in-Residence at the Heroism & Heartbreak project, Hartlepool Community Archive, looking at WW1 maritime stories.
Two Poems by Joe Williams
The latest in our series of poems on Difference and Defiance contains one of each - the defiance of the North, and the differences (and similarities) between two football fans. The Town That Was Murdered They shut the pits down long before they closed the shipyard doors. The steel that we were promised never came. … Continue reading Two Poems by Joe Williams
Sun by Bethan Lewis
And now for something completely different - a poem in which emotions change utterly over the course of a day, the hours and the shifting weather creating vast differences to the poet's internal climate. Sun Morning sunlight swells like a pipe organ, throws frisbee halos though our hair; the sun's generous caresses pour warmth into … Continue reading Sun by Bethan Lewis
Morality Tale by Becky Cherriman
As we hear the news of 39 humans found dead in a lorry on Essex, as we turn our eyes to Turkey and the Kurds, Kashmir, Yemen, and many number of countries with whom we trade arms, we can maybe take a moment to read this. Morality Tale Picture every one of the world’s weapons … Continue reading Morality Tale by Becky Cherriman
The Chrysalis by Chris Boyland
Words of advice for all of us hoping to survive and thrive in the days ahead - thank you Chris! The Chrysalis Change. Shift yourself, grow dragon tail, sport feathers. Change. Inherit new ways of thinking, borrow sharp new teeth, gaze cautiously into the shadowy corners of your own capacity. Change. Learn to come back … Continue reading The Chrysalis by Chris Boyland
Two Poems by Finola Scott
In this age of vast public demonstrations and non-violent rebellion, these two vivid poems from Finola Scott speak of a global human community, and the risks that demonstrators run. 'We are very close': Tens of thousands march in Venezuela 2/2/19 This river of democracy is in full spate, With flags foaming, baseball capped marchers flood … Continue reading Two Poems by Finola Scott
The Weapon and The Dove by David McVey
The language and imagery in this poem are beautiful - 'a harsh shout raw like mince' and 'breathless latchkey kid'. It's evocative of being a child and the man who's 'tall but hungry thin' is vividly described. The poem successfully puts us in a time and place with the single piece of dialogue and the … Continue reading The Weapon and The Dove by David McVey
