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

Wednesday, 08 April 2020 07:44

The Empty Chair Makes The Widow Cry

Written by P. W. Bridgman

in Poetry

The Empty Chair Makes The Widow Cry by P. W. Bridgman “The empty chair makes the widow cry, etc.To the auctioneer it’s just a cheap chair.”1 Sarah had skirted ’round the newly empty chair every dayfor weeks, yet nothing seemed to get any better(despite what others had to say). She…

Tuesday, 07 April 2020 20:19

'Prayers to the environment': Jane Burn on nature, her writing, her life - and her new book

Written by Fran Lock

in Poetry

Fran Lock interviews Jane Burn, author of Yan, Tan, Tether (Indigo Dreams Press, 2020) Fran: Thank you so much for agreeing to answer these few questions about your latest collection of poems and illustrations, Yan, Tan, Tether. I’m really excited to do this interview with you, firstly because both the…

Tuesday, 07 April 2020 10:37

The Advent of Mr. Nothing

Written by Kevin Higgins

in Poetry

The Advent of Mr Nothing by Kevin Higgins All the messiahs safely crucified;the choice again, as it should be,between the Imp of All Liesand Mr Nothing. We’re again outside the padlocked gate.Should anyone think of scaling the wall,the garden is now patrolledby wolves with orders to dine first,and be exonerated…

Keir Starmer

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Friday, 03 April 2020 08:10

Markham Main

in Poetry

Written by Sarah Wimbush

Markham Main by Sarah Wimbush Afternoons, they meet upon street corners like old youths planning revolution. Gaffers, fathers, brothers -an hour at the Club with a pint.Go over the end again, and again. How they were the last by three daysto stay out in Yorkshire.How they’d gu back tomorra. After…

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Thursday, 02 April 2020 14:13

Callout: Bread and Roses Poetry Award 2020

in Poetry

Written by Mike Quille

Culture Matters is pleased to announce that the fourth Bread and Roses Poetry Award, kindly sponsored by Unite the Union, is now open for entries. Our mission is to promote a socialist approach to all cultural activities, including arts such as poetry. So we run the Bread and Roses Poetry…

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Thursday, 02 April 2020 10:19

After Lockdown

in Poetry

Written by Chris Norris

After Lockdown By Christopher Norris, with images by Martin Gollan and James Gillray No we’ll never go back to the bad old days,To the days of corporate greed,When the bankers thrived on their bad old ways,And the poor folk went in need.For when viruses strike they don’t care who pays,Who’s…

Covid19 Boris Johnson

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Sunday, 29 March 2020 13:39

Covid-19: The General Speaks of His Sorrow

in Poetry

Written by Gabriel Rosenstock

A poem in Irish and English by Gabriel Rosenstock, with image by Otto Dix called Wounded Soldier Covid 19: The General Speaks of His Sorrow by Gabriel Rosenstock Self-isolation . . .These bitter days When can I send battalionsOf raw young menTo warTo crush their bonesAnd the bones of others…

Saturday, 28 March 2020 21:33

Questions From The Dead

Written by K. Satchidanandan

in Poetry

Questions from the Dead by K. Satchidanandan Which country’s border was Hiuen Tsang crossing when, on a donkey, he crossed the Himalayan pass with a sack full of Buddhist texts? Whence came the races that spokeDravidian and Aryan tongues? Was there no one in Indiawhen they landed here? Not even…

Saturday, 28 March 2020 10:54

Everyone's Hearts Were Clapping

Written by Owen Gallagher

in Poetry

onavirusEveryone’s Hearts Were Clapping by Owen Gallagher Everyone stood outside their front door.As the clock struck eight they began to clap slowly as if someone was coming on stage but as more in the street joined in, they clapped louder and louder as if they were freeingsomething within, perhaps a…

Coronavirus NHS

Thursday, 26 March 2020 13:46

A Fearless Gaze of Hope: Quines, by Gerda Stevenson

Written by Jim Aitken

in Poetry

Jim Aitken reviews a book of radical women’s voices: Quines, by Gerda Stevenson. Accompanying illustrations of textiles are by artists from EDGE: Textile Artists Scotland. The second edition of Gerda Stevenson’s ‘Quines’ came out with some fanfare as it was launched to coincide with International Women’s Day. The launch at…

Edge Textile Artists

Wednesday, 25 March 2020 08:31

In The White Man’s Clinic

Written by Kevin Higgins

in Poetry

On the day the Irish government announced they are (for the duration of the crisis) incorporating all private hospitals into the public health system, Kevin Higgins offers this poem in memoriam of Ireland's two tier health system which will hopefully never come back. It was inspired by a private hospital,…

Coronavirus