Monthly Archives: November 2011

Midlands Poetry 2011- A Personal Retrospective Perspective

Posted on November 27, 2011 by garylongden

The arrival of December heralds not only Christmas, but the impending year end. A year in which I have had the pleasure of attending several dozens of poetic events in the Midlands both as a performer, and an audience member, … Continue reading →

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Spoken Worlds, Old Cottage Tavern, Burton Upon Trent

Posted on November 26, 2011 by garylongden

The last in this year’s series of Spoken Worlds went out on a high tonight with a guest poet, a luxury not normally indulged in, Ash Dickinson playing to a full house. It was a fitting climax to a year … Continue reading →

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Poetry Bites, Kitchen Garden Cafe, Kings Heath

Posted on November 26, 2011 by garylongden

Another full house turned out to see a contrasting headlining duo tonight. Joseph Horgan hails from Cork now, but grew up in Bordesley, whilst Bobby Parker is a veteran of the mean streets of Kidderminster. A failing voice meant that … Continue reading →

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Oats and Desserts

Posted on November 22, 2011 by garylongden

This is the last in a trilogy of call and response poems, inspired by the work of Amy Rainbow, to whom I am indebted: Oats- by Amy Rainbow I met him when I was working In a greasy spoon cafe … Continue reading →

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British Female 60’s Pop Stars

Posted on November 22, 2011 by garylongden

By a quirk of historic symmetry many of the female pop stars whom I became aware of as a little boy in the 1960’s are now in their 60’s. The joy of You Tube now offers the opportunity to revisit … Continue reading →

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The Liebster Award

Posted on November 20, 2011 by garylongden

I was pleased, flattered and honoured that the wonderful poet Ruth Stacey chose Garyswordz as one of her five choices for The Liebster Award. Thank-you Ruth, ( whose poem “The Bear” is quite brilliant) it is much appreciated . Counter-nominating … Continue reading →

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Winter

Posted on November 13, 2011 by garylongden

Snow Falling Thick and fast Ever whiter Till all trace of man simply disappears Ice Gripping The frozen lake In winters tight vice While children slip and slide in abandon Feast Table Sags heavy Heady aroma intoxicating As diners wait … Continue reading →

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The Shepley Lion

Posted on November 13, 2011 by garylongden

Stalking as it has done for millennia It prowls the warm Pennine hillside Evading human eyes Scourge of ancient homesteads His cunning admired His strength feared From Birdsedge to Holmfirth They talk of him, and the Golden Cradle Buried in … Continue reading →

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December What’s On – Poetry, Spoken Word, Storytelling

Posted on November 12, 2011 by garylongden

Thursday 1st 8-10pm Blackdrop @ New Art Exchange.Nottingham, 8pm Price £3.00,Ft poets Kokumo, Moqapi Selassie, Roy McFarlaine, Sue Brown, Mother Hubbard and more, from Celebrate Wha? The new Black British Anthlogy of Midlands writers.,Come along and buy a copy at … Continue reading →

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Out

Posted on November 11, 2011 by garylongden

It was the perfect ball I knew it from the moment it left my hand As it arced towards the batsman’s crease Spinning, whirring – ever closer to its destiny Neither his eyes, nor his bat, could reply So it … Continue reading →

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