Poetry

It goes on one at a time,
it starts when you care to act,
it starts when you do it again after they said no,
it starts when you say we and know who you mean,
and each day you mean one more.

Marge Piercy

Tuesday, 15 May 2018 09:21

'Of no court tyrants we're afraid': the literature of the United Irishmen

Written by Jenny Farrell

in Poetry

Jenny Farrell introduces the literature of the United Irishmen, part of international and democratic liberation literature, expressing ideals which are still to be achieved. 24 May marks the 220th anniversary of the rising of the United Irishmen, a struggle for the overthrow of British rule in Ireland and the establishment…

Monday, 14 May 2018 13:42

Dirty word

Written by Susan Millar DuMars

in Poetry

On Friday 25th May, Irish citizens will vote in a referendum on abortion rights. Dirty Word by Susan Millar DuMars The first three fourths are fine.The listening ear of cthe deep bowl of ucurved bridge n; but thenthe tiny crucifix at tail end tips usaway from rounded lipsto a sound…

Wednesday, 09 May 2018 21:22

Windrush: a reckoning

Written by Chris Norris

in Poetry

Windrush: a reckoning by Chris Norris On 18 October 2017, Wilson was detained at the Wolverhampton Home Office reporting centre where she had been reporting on a fortnightly basis since August 2015. She was put in a vehicle that reminded her of a ‘meat van’, because it had no windows,…

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Wednesday, 02 May 2018 21:11

why not a job: two poems for May Day from Martin Hayes and Fred Voss

in Poetry

Written by Martin Hayes

Martin Hayes has sent in a poem dedicated to Fred Voss, and the compliment has been returned. why not a job by Martin Hayes after Fred Voss why not a job to dedicate your life towhy does it always have to be a man who died on a cross or…

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Tuesday, 01 May 2018 22:16

The beauty and usefulness of poetry: Teeside International Poetry Festival

in Poetry

Written by Mike Quille

Mike Quille praises the 'subversive internationalism' of the 2018 Teeside International Poetry Festival, and presents some of the poems performed there. 250 years ago, Middlesbrough-born James Cook set sail on one of history’s iconic imperialist journeys. It was a voyage which extended scientific, geographical and cultural knowledge of other peoples.…

MIMA James Cook Middlesbrough

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Wednesday, 25 April 2018 09:32

'Structures don't take to the streets!' May '68: a structuralist riposte

in Poetry

Written by Chris Norris

May ’68: a structuralist riposte by Chris Norris A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand crosses the English Channel from Paris, and then, in an instant, the trees, the orchard, the hedgerows, the field of wheat, are black with locusts. When at length they rise to fly on to…

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Saturday, 21 April 2018 19:15

Eye of the Needle

in Poetry

Written by Ira Lightman

Eye of the Needle by Ira Lightman Camels shouldn't vote for death.They needn't die at Christmas.On the 25th, Christ's birthis the defeat of Adam's cursewhich was death. The rich make human life ridiculous and cold on our visit to Bath.We particularly notice,much more than in the North East, in Bath…

Thursday, 19 April 2018 07:25

These Hands

Written by Jon Tait

in Poetry

Jon Tait has sent in this prosepoem in response to The Things Our Hands Once Stood For, by Martin Hayes. These Hands by Jon Tait The lines of hands get blackened by oil and dirt and produce a map of work, of chipped nails and grime and honest graft, of…

Tuesday, 17 April 2018 10:29

Poetry on the Picket Line: real people and real poetry in the real world

Written by Chip Grim

in Poetry

Chip Hamer introduces the squad of activist poets which supports striking workers. Poetry on the Picket Line sounds a little unlikely, but it works: a squad of writers prepared to turn up on picket lines and read poetry. Something a little different and it usually goes down pretty well. It…

Saturday, 14 April 2018 19:32

Doodgeskiet: In memory of Chris Hani

Written by Andy Croft

in Poetry

It is twenty-five years this month since the assassination of Chris Hani, general secretary of the South African Communist Party and chief of staff of Umkhonto we Sizwe. Hani was also Mandela’s de facto deputy; his murder opened the way to the disappointments and betrayals of Thabo Mbeki and Joseph…

Saturday, 14 April 2018 18:08

More important than Elvis's comb

Written by Fred Voss

in Poetry

Fred Voss sent in the following poem after reading the new collection by Martin Hayes, The Things Our Hands Once Stood For, published by Culture Matters and available here. More important than Elvis's comb by Fred Voss What is more importantthan a cheap blue linoleum kitchen table in a little…