Author Archives: garylongden

The Tokoloshe

Last week I had the privilege of learning about the tokoloshe from former Zimbabwe resident Afric McGlinchey. This has prompted some further research, with some interesting, and surprising results. By far the most intriguing was a Yahoo Answers page in … Continue reading

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Fizz 10, Tithe Barn, Polesworth

This was the last event in the 2011 season for Fizz, and featured the second live performance of the Cork Poets on tour with a radio appearance still to come. The move from the Refectory to the Tithe Barn was … Continue reading

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The Cork Poets, Night Blue Fruit , Coventry

A strengthening artistic bond between Coventry and Cork was reinforced tonight with the latest exchange visit between the two cities, which this time brought Colm Scully, Jennifer Mathews and Afric McGlinchey across the water. An unexpected bonus of the evening … Continue reading

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Ras Mohammed

Absorbed in amniotic languor Opaque brightness fades In descent Only the sound of my own diaphragm reverberates Tolling in deathly rhythmic Surrender The Dunraven sprawls, spent prone Tears gouge mortal wounds Broken Entering her warm currents pulse Doors ajar, passageways … Continue reading

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Write Down Speak Up Love Where You Live Project – Blakesley Hall

On Saturday 22nd October the “Write Down Speak Up Love Where You Live” project visited Blakesley Hall, near Yardley in South Birmingham. Maggie Doyle, Kurly, Matt Windle, Laura Yates,Spoz, Dreadlock Alien and I visited, wrote some lines, and tried to … Continue reading

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November Poetry/ Spoken Word What’s On

Tuesday 1st November Night Blue Fruit, Taylor Johns Canal Basin, Coventry,8pm: Open mic, free in, Barry Patterson Hosts Thursday 3rd Fizz 9, Tythe Barn Polesworth Abbey,7.30pm, free in. From Dublin Afric McLinchley, Colm Scully, Jennifer Mathews plus open mic Thursday … Continue reading

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Lamplight

His world imploded into deep breaths As if incapable of taking enough air She stood there A shadowy figure under fragmenting light Incomplete Inert, passive, he sat She had seen him, he had seen her High boots, slender legs, long … Continue reading

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Where You Will Find Me Nov/Dec

Tuesday 1st November Night Blue Fruit Thursday 3rd Fizz 10, Polesworth Tuesday 8th Lichfield Poets, Cruck House Wed 9th Flying Donkeys, Voicebox, Derby Fri 11th Jo Bell, Walsall Library,1.30pm Mon 14th Birmingham Stanza Thur 17th Nov Go Wild/Lion Appeal POETRY … Continue reading

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Hit the Ode, Victoria PH, Birmingham

Organiser Bohdan Piesecki is a glutton for punishment. Not content with organising a seven nation dice slam a couple of weeks ago, he still found time to put on the regular monthly Hit the Ode. As usual, it did not … Continue reading

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The Aston Hall Collection

Aston Hall Chestnuts Grand avenue A mile long colonnade Such grandeur and flat bread in a Nutshell Great hall Roaring fireplace Hosting nobility Impressing Kings in a room and A half Staircase Shattered fragments Blown by Parliaments force Munitions and … Continue reading

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