Author Archives: garylongden

Phenomenal Women, International Women’s Day, Birmingham Central Library Theatre

Posted on March 8, 2012 by garylongden

“It’s in the reach of my arms, the span of my hips, the stride of my step, the curl of my lips.I’m a woman, phenomenally .Phenomenal woman ,that’s me.” So quoted host Jan Watts, current Birmingham Poet Laureate, from acclaimed … Continue reading →

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Answers to Strange American Poetic Deaths

Posted on March 7, 2012 by garylongden

1. Theodore Roethke- Heart attack in friend’s swimming pool. 2. Robert Johnson – Drank whiskey poisoned by bartender 3. Philip Freneau- Died in a snowstorm while walking home from a tavern. 4. Weldon Kees – Disappeared, north side of Golden … Continue reading →

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Strange American Poetic Deaths Quiz

Posted on March 7, 2012 by garylongden

It is not surprising that poets like to “check out” in idiosyncratic style, combine poet and American, and that situation is compounded! Below are the deaths and names of 10 American poets, see how many you can match up? How … Continue reading →

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A Celebration: Milorad Krystanovich (1950-2011), The Moseley Exchange, Birmingham

Posted on March 3, 2012 by garylongden

This event was sponsored by Nine Arches Press, publishers of Krystanovic’s latest and posthumous collection , Moses’ Footsteps ,for which the evening was a launch. A Croatian national, he had lived in Birmingham since 1992 and studied Creative Writing at … Continue reading →

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Undeleted Texts

Posted on February 26, 2012 by garylongden

They scroll falling as tears There is no GPS tag But I can remember the location Each time my phone pulsed Tantalising snippets Of what once was My replies remembered But unrecorded Saved to my soul Not just my memory … Continue reading →

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March 2012 – What’s On, Midlands Spoken Word

Posted on February 26, 2012 by garylongden

Thur 1st Word Up Poetry Open Mic plus headliners,The Drum Arts Centre,The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU,0121 333 2444, http://www.the-drum.org.uk Seasonal monthly, first Thursdays, 8pm, £5in.j.morley@the-drum.org.uk Thur 1st Word Life vs Opus Acoustics, The riverside pub, sheffield,1 … Continue reading →

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Spoken Worlds, Old Cottage Tavern, Burton upon Trent

Posted on February 25, 2012 by garylongden

One of the pleasures of spoken word events is that you are never quite sure what you are going to hear when you turn up. This was no exception. The relationship between lyrics and poetry over the years has been … Continue reading →

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Bilston Voices, Metro Cafe, Church St, Bilston

Posted on February 24, 2012 by garylongden

Running successful poetry nights is not easy. Audiences take time and patience to build, and are fickle .If you don’t give them what they want, the venue will be empty next time around. So it is to Emma Pursehouse’s great … Continue reading →

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Dead Pop Stars

Posted on February 21, 2012 by garylongden

It has come to my attention that the calibre of dead pop stars, And their deaths, Is not what it once was. I just thought that I should mention That it is my intention to point out that Whitney was … Continue reading →

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At Home with God

Posted on February 21, 2012 by garylongden

Inspired by Richard Frost “How many times do I have to tell you lot to stop that fighting? Can’t you sort your own problems without dragging Me into it And, expecting Me to take sides? If I have to come … Continue reading →

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