Poetry Live

[Oscar Flynn G7]

(: Today I went to a Poetry Live event in Kent. We had the opportunity to hear poets read their poems and talk about them- these poets we are studying in our exams these two weeks. It was a very, very good experience for me. I have talked about it with some of my classmates and I feel sorry for most of them- many say it was boring and they were falling asleep throughout it all. I just do not understand this attitude! The poets that we saw were Gillian Clarke, Simon Armitage, Carol Ann Duffy, Grace Nichols Imtiaz Dharker and John Agard. We also heard two sessions from a chief examiner for the english exam boards, which was very useful.

I was completely and utterly inspired by these poets and really respect them all the more after hearing them talk about their poems. It's so different from hearing those words come from them, rather than my teacher. While some I have always loved- Gillian Clarke especially- this event really made me appreciate more if Armitage's work, and it was my first time hearing Imtiaz Dharker and I really enjoyed her style. Grace Nichols was amazing and her style as a poet and person really attracted me to her, but I didn't feel as connected to her poetry as with Clarke and Armitage. Carol Ann Duffy was very interesting; her poems are often based on historical figures and she speaks in their views, or how she sees their characters. However again, while I recognise her talent I don't click with her poetry too much. John Agard was as vibrant as ever and his link with the audience was fabulous, lot of respect for how he controls and responds to the other students.

I just wanted to post this because I know some people may enjoy these poets, or have even attended a Poetry Live event somewhere sometime. Or perhaps you're just interested in what I have to say? XD The website is here if anyone wants to take a gander.

Another thing I feel like mentioning is the competition that Poetry Live offers. Students who have attended one of the events may send one poem in by March (min.25 lines) and sixteen winners will be chosen. These winners will attend an intensive week's residential course at the Tŷ Newydd Writer's Center in Wales with Gillian Clarke and another poet. I am really considering entering this. I may not have made it obvious or mentioned it to anyone, but I adore poetry and write myself when the mood strikes. :3 If I do enter, I will be sure to show you guys what I send in.

[Ariane Chan]

I have read only one line of your post, Astrid, but I must go before I collapse, so I will say just this:

OH MY GOD CAROL ANN DUFFY, SIMON ARMITAGE AND IMTIAZ DHARKER!

If they're not worth seeing I don't know who are.

Btw, Duffy's daughter goes to the school next to ours... The other girls school. Ooer, rivalry, ahaha.

But anyway, Sleep. I will read properly laters. ;)

[Ivy Tunstall]

WOW you're lucky! I know that Viv is a great fan of Carol Ann Duffy... I preferred Armitage myself but... well, I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to hear any of them live. It sounds amazing.

[Cyrus Thorn]

Viv- XD don't collapse. And to both you and Izy; I really did respect Duffy and obviously she is amazing. But I've never really felt in tune with her poetry as I do with some others. She was wonderful to listen to however and the event would have had a gaping hole if she was not there. You know the moment you look at her and hear her speak that she is a poet, which I found amusing. She's very... blunt. In the best way.


As for Dharker, I'm flicking through my notes now and liking her even more. 'Blessing' is so beautiful and when she read it I realised I was holding my breath ahah. She emphasis her onomatopoeic words perfectly when she reads aloud, but not too much. She gave some great explanations to her poetry too and her answers to the questions the audience asked always amazed me.

And Izy- I know! I feel insanely lucky. And just... ugh, disgusted at the few people who couldn't be bothered to pay twenty pounds to go with us today, because they're not interested in poetry. I just don't understand that way of thinking, aha. It really was inspiring more than I can say, although I think my excitement is coming through a little aha.

And yep, Armitage is really amazing. He read us one poem that I don't think has ever been published, not sure. Very witty. I'm talking to a male friend of mine now who has never had even the tiniest creative bone in his body, and he's telling me he was inspired by Simon which I find absolutely lovely.

[Ariane Chan]

Now that I've actually read your post properly, Astrid, I also must scream at the greatness of John Agard and Grace Nichols; just genius, all of them. The only one I never studied was Gilliarn Clarke, because we didn't do the nature cluster. I'm glad we didn't, because if we had I would never have fallen in love with my two favourite poets of all time: Carol Ann Duffy and Simon Armitage.

I actually like some of Armitage's work more than some of Duffy's, Izy. However, I can't seem to get my hands on any of his work, whereas Duffy's poems are much more accessible - her life story too. The fact she lives in Manchester and her daughter goes to Man High also increases the connection.

Yes, I get the impression Duffy is very blunt too. I think in person I would prefer Armitage. I'm very envious of you, Astrid. Our year didn't get to go because it wasn't held during our years studying GCSE English. D: You don't know how disappointed I was. I would pay goodness knows what to see them.

My favourite poem of Armitage's is 'Mother, Any Distance'. I really want that collection of poems, but I can't find it! D:

As for Duffy, I love most of her work. Did she write 'Homecoming'? Yes, I believe she did (I get confused between her and Armitage sometimes). I loved that one, along with 'Education For Leisure' (this stuff about banning it from the anthology because of the knife image condoning knife crime is just ridiculous). The feminist poems from 'The World's Wife' collection is amazing too - such as 'Salome', 'Anne Hathaway', 'Havisham'... *sighs in happiness* Lol. I really do love Duffy. If you ever get your hands on the latter collection, try reading 'Little Red-Cap' - it's brilliant. 'Rapture' is another collection but about love, and I think that's great too. I got it as part of my Founders' Day books. :D