An epic poem of social commentary today from Nick Smith, matched by his ambitious use of captured and vintage footage in a powerfully-paced montage. https://videopress.com/v/GvlF5LhN?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata
Tag: political poetry
It’s In The Air by Marc Brightside
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
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
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 Last Time I Smelt Paris by Marka Rifat
"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
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
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
If you are under the moon’s bleeding sway by Moira Garland
"Whilst many people are now incensed by cruel changes to abortion law coming into effect in some states of America, Northern Ireland's policies are often overlooked. As citizens of the United Kingdom if we are appalled about America we should too be appalled about our own nation. This poem is a great reminder of that … Continue reading If you are under the moon’s bleeding sway by Moira Garland
Two poems by Michael Prihoda
Our guest editor, Amy Kinsman of Riggwelter magazine, says of this first poem that "Writing sparsely can often be more impactful than writing several pages on a topic. In this poem the silence speaks volumes because its entire subject is a failure of words. When speaking about sexual assault, the very act of saying anything … Continue reading Two poems by Michael Prihoda
Learning About The Holocaust by Jennifer Maloney
Content warning : gun violence, school shootings. This week's poem is a very powerful, very difficult read. It isn't graphic, but it is, in the words of our guest editor Amy Kinsman, "harrowing because it allows the victims to speak for themselves. The dead haunt the living, which is tragedy but also a kind of … Continue reading Learning About The Holocaust by Jennifer Maloney
Celebrating Change 