A first draft, page reading of a new narrative poem celebrating the poet Shelley and marking the 200th anniversary of his death will take place at Maggie’s N16 on Friday 3 June at 6pm. Giving voice to the bronze bust erected to the English Romantic poet Shelley whose body washed up on the shoreline ofContinue reading “A POEM FOR THE SHELLEY BICENTENNIAL | FRIDAY 3 JUNE”
Category Archives: Poetry
Body 115
Today is the anniversary of the death of my namesake, Jan Palach, a student of the Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague who set himself on fire in Wenceslas Square in 1969… it is perhaps a poignant occasion to announce a project, an ‘explicit homage to Dante’s Divine Comedy’, a poem of ashes andContinue reading “Body 115”
Comet SWAN
Comet SWAN (or C/2020 F8) was discovered in images taken by the Solar Wind Anisotropies (SWAN) camera on my birthday this year, March 25, 2020. In the glare of twilight, SWAN is difficult to find although it is still near the theoretical range of naked eye visibility. As of perihelion, TODAY, the comet is veryContinue reading “Comet SWAN”
April is the cruelest month…
I began running a creative writing class from the social care unit at the Union Chapel, London in 2005. You may well know the building as a cool, Islington venue that’s hosted the likes of Amy Winehouse, Noel Gallagher, Tom Jones and Philip Glass but it’s also been home to the Margin’s Project, a crisis centre that offers housing advice and a winter night shelter.
Helping Seniors and Vulnerable Adults Stay Connected
I’ve been running creative writing and poetry discussion groups for over twenty years. I’ve specialised in working with vulnerable adults and ‘hard to reach’ learners in environments such as prisons, homeless shelters and psychiatric wards. Most recently I’ve been working with seniors and elders within my community. The Covid-19 outbreak has forced the closure ofContinue reading “Helping Seniors and Vulnerable Adults Stay Connected”
Journey Works
MORE
My Name Is Swan | World Premiere Online Screening
My Name Is Swan premiered at the Curzan, Aldgate as part of the East End Film Festival in London and received its international premiere at the Bowery Poetry Club, New York. Returning to the UK it featured at the Turner Contemporary as part of the Margate NOW Festival who will host the online world premiere on 3rdContinue reading “My Name Is Swan | World Premiere Online Screening”
Journey Works
“It’s time we left this land of stoats and toads this kingdom of weasels this province of voles…” from Body 115 09 SEPT | ITALY Studio Carlo Rea Via Petrara 62024 Matelica Marche, Italia 19:00 h 29 SEPT | MARGATE 101 Social 101 Northdown Rd, Margate, CT9 2QY 18:00 h 3 OCT | NATIONAL POETRYContinue reading “Journey Works”
London to Milan, Newcastle to New York…
Friends, I will be giving a first draft reading of a newly commissioned ‘journey work’ on the opening night of the Stoke Newington Literary Festival, Friday 7 June 2019. This new poetic monologue, commissioned by Professor Maggie Rose of Università degli Studi di Milano, will be adapted for the stage and showcased in Milan in 2020.Continue reading “London to Milan, Newcastle to New York…”
“This is where I belong…”
My Name Is Swan… off schedule… at the Oxford Literary Festival Sunday 25th March The Swan & Castle Castle Street, Oxford OX1 1AY The Black Swan Crown St, Oxford OX4 1QG The Original Swan Oxford Rd, Cowley OX4 2LF The landlord of the Original Swan in Oxford has just told me his punters can’t readContinue reading ““This is where I belong…””