"I love the imagery of Paris in this poem and how sound is used as well as rhyme to create rhythm. The French vocabulary and Parisian sights enhances a real sense of place. The almost nursery rhyme-esque rhyme scheme gives the last line an even greater impact when we don't expect it." Thanks as always … Continue reading The Last Time I Smelt Paris by Marka Rifat
Tag: poems
Board Man by Claire Booker
We're delighted to welcome Claire Booker back to the blog, this time with a piece selected by our second guest editor Jess Green. Jess says "I love subtlety of this poem (right down to its structure on the page) which presents a familiar image of the person with the advertising board. We've all seen those … Continue reading Board Man by Claire Booker
Dancing In Your Houses by Sarah L Dixon
When guest editor Jess Green chose this poem, she said "I love the familiarity and warmth of Dancing In Your Houses, the idea of throughout the week we 'feel the air waiting patiently for Friday' and the image of ' the corners of the front room no-one usually goes in are filled with wind-milling arms'. … Continue reading Dancing In Your Houses by Sarah L Dixon
Two poems by Neil Laurenson
We say thank you and goodbye to our guest editor Kinsman with their final selection of two comedic pieces by Neil Laurenson. For the first poem, they say "I enjoyed this poem because of its humour. As well as satirizing those that want to privatise the NHS, it is also an affectionate parody of the … Continue reading Two poems by Neil Laurenson
Callout for submissions!!
Happy Easter everyone, I hope you're all up to your eyeballs in chocolate and are enjoying the fine weather? We're celebrating the rebirth of our Celebrating Change project with a brand-new guest editor for this blog. Amy Kinsman is a poet from Manchester. As well as being founding editor of Riggwelter Press, they are also … Continue reading Callout for submissions!!
A filmpoem by Tracy
The final digital story from lats year's Celebrating Change is this from Tracy - and just in the nick of time, as we can now reveal that Arts Council England is supporting us for a second year! Watch this space for more details of taster sessions leading up to our project start date on Thursday … Continue reading A filmpoem by Tracy
How To Build A Home by Sarah L Dixon
Guest editor Clive Birnie selected this poem because, he says, "I love the reflections of sounds; diaries, fairies..." How to build a home after Clare Shaw Cover the bare bulbs with tassels and shades that take the light and warm and dull it. Place boots in the hallway. They will tangle into a comfortable … Continue reading How To Build A Home by Sarah L Dixon
Shift by Rob Walton
A welcome return for a Celebrating Change regular, Rob Walton, with a short and atmospheric poem that grabbed our guest editor Clive Birnie's attention. Clive says "there is so much unsaid here - and last night I slept in a house where you go downstairs to the bedroom!" Shift I’ve been frying this cheap mince for … Continue reading Shift by Rob Walton
Three poems by Jane Burn
Welcome to this edition of Celebrating Change, kicking off our short season of poems about 'changing home', selected by very special guest editor Clive Birnie. Clive is founder and editor at award-winning independent press, Burning Eye. He's also an artist and a writer of poetry and prose, with an interest in experimental forms using blackout, … Continue reading Three poems by Jane Burn
Stop Motion Stories
In our January session, we came together to write a communal poem inspired by a simple yet powerful life-story poem, written by local hero Sara Dennis. (See below for full poem). In it, Sara lists a long series of events and actions, some of which seem to be behaviour patterns repeating, some of which are … Continue reading Stop Motion Stories
Moving On by Fran Edwards
I need a change of scenery he said, looking through me at something more appealing and desirable. I changed the sheets but the bed still smelt of him. Three months later he changed his mind he said he'd had a change of heart. So had I, and I'd changed the locks. Thanks … Continue reading Moving On by Fran Edwards
Fear of Drowning by Gail Curry
Fear of drowning I used to visit the sea drawn to it to sit for hours watching the waves drag the shingle from the shore snatched into the icy waters against its will. I used to feel like shingle a small piece of stone insignificant at the mercy of the sea, waiting to drown. I … Continue reading Fear of Drowning by Gail Curry
Celebrating Change 