A Girl and a Poet

I wrote this poem in response to the topic 'death by unusual circumstance'. I hope some of the other writers from the group post theirs too, most were extremely funny for such a morbid subject area...

A Girl and a Poet

One winter’s day a girl went for a walk
but reaching down to pick up her glove,
Her body saved a falling man; her life cut short.
“You saved my life,” he said, “You must be my true love!”

She had loathed men all her life and took
measures to avoid mixed groups and manly places.
He, a lovesick poet, did not even look
before he leapt to meet his maker.

The tragedy! So young to die this way,
yet nothing now could stop her soul from leaving.
The irony, however, wasn’t lost as she lay
beneath a grateful man; she was seething.

The poet thought her final words confessed of love,
In fact, she mumbled, “Damn that blasted glove!”

Writing Events Bath New Year workshops...

Pop Up Creative Writing group...
Thinking Big and Dialogue and Story Editing...

Pop Up writing group with Alex and Jude £10 - pay on the door
Thursday 26th January 10.30 am-12.00 at Cafe Retro, 18 York Street (around the corner from Bath Abbey – cup of coffee included - no pressure to read aloud. Please email to let us know you are coming writingeventsbath@gmail.com.

Some places left on Thinking Big with novelist and Bath Spa MA creative writing tutor Mimi Thebo £38 booking on website. Sunday 29th January New Oriel Hall, Larkhall, Bath 10.00am-1.00 pm. Make this the year you start (or finish) your novel. Mimi's workshop will help you plan and plot. You don't have to come with an idea, but we think you will go home with one. Beginners welcome.

More details and booking on www.writingeventsbath.co.uk
email writingeventsbath@gmail.com
tel: 07833711931

Bath Lit Fest - 2-11 March

Find out more at a http://www.bathlitfest.org.uk/

Meet The Author lunch - 2nd February

AT THE ALEXANDRA HOTEL,
LYME REGIS
Thursday, 2nd February 2012
12.30pm – 3.00pm £26.50 per head
Including a 2-course lunch and a signed copy of ‘Conquest’ the best-selling debut historical novel of 2011.
Local author Stewart Binns began his professional life as an academic. He then pursued several adventures, including a stint at the BBC, before settling into a career as a schoolteacher, specializing in history. Later in life, a lucky break took him back to the BBC which was the beginning of a successful career in television. He has won a BAFTA, a Grierson, an RTS and a Peabody for his documentaries. Stewart’s passion is English history, especially its origins and folklore.

To book a place contact: Hannah at events@hotelalexandra.co.uk Tel: 01297 442010. For more information on the author contact: Lucy at lucybinns@bigapemedia.com Tel: 01460 30151

Phil Beer at Bridgwater Arts Centre

On Saturday evening, 21st January, we welcome the return of Phil Beer to BAC. Phil is a popular ambassador for acoustic roots music and a dazzling instrumentalist. Best known as a top flight fiddler, his skills don't stop there, he also plays slide, Spanish and tenor guitar, mandocello, viola, mandolin and South American cuatro, not to mention contributing rich vocals. Phil Beer is currently joining the reformed Bully Wee Band for their annual January tour. This promises to be a great night so get your tickets early...click on the title for more info from Bridgwater Arts Centre..

Poetry at The Brewhouse

To begin their 2012 season of poetry events at The Brewhouse (the fifth full season they have presented) Fire River Poets are delighted to announce that the guest poet for their reading on Thursday 2 February will be Alasdair Paterson. Chairman of Fire River Poets, John Stuart, said “It is wonderful to see that Alasdair is writing poetry again and we are delighted that he has agreed to come and read for us. He is an extraordinary talent.”

Members of Fire River Poets will also be reading during the evening and, as John is always at pains to point out “We always provide a platform for poets of all ages and levels of experience, so there will as usual be an open mic session during the evening for any poet who would like to come along and read. Poets who would like to take advantage of this opportunity should apply through enquiry@fireriverpoets.org.uk.”

The reading begins at 8.00 pm, takes place in The Studio and costs £5.00. Tickets may be purchased from the Brewhouse box office. Enquiries and bookings on 01823 283244 or info@thebrewhouse.net.

'It's Just A Ride'

I thought I would put this up as it's the first thing I've done in a while. 

It was one of those special moments, a true piece of child wisdom.
Ian

‘It’s Just a Ride’

A while ago I was driving home from a playground after a day with the kids. My one-year-old daughter was thankfully asleep whilst my nearly-four-year old son was rattling on about diggers and tractors as usual. It was about three in the afternoon, and my brain just about was pickled from the endless demands of the pair of them. After a brief interlude in the digger versus tractor debate, one in which I hoped he was also going to sleep, he piped up again.

“Daddy?” he said. “Is the Earth spinning now?”

“Yes,” I told him, “the Earth is always spinning.”

The source of this question dated back a couple of days when I was reading a book to him at bedtime about how we get our seasons. At the time he didn’t seem all that interested and I wasn’t sure he had taken any of it in, but his sponge-like brain must have been mulling it over. I thought I had better elaborate on the subject.

“If the Earth stopped spinning we would all fall off.”

I could see by his face in the rear view mirror that he found this idea amusing. I could almost see the wheels turning in his mind. He thought about it for some time before forming another question.

“Daddy, when I die will the Earth still be spinning?”

This sudden mention of death took me by surprise. Recently we had broached the subject when our next door neighbour’s dog, Charlie, was put down by the vet. He had grown up with Charlie so we had taken him in a few hours before to say goodbye, and although he seemed sad he hadn’t asked many questions about it, although he had told us later that his imaginary friend, Doobeedore, had died but that he was alright now.

“Yes, the earth will still be spinning when you die,” I told him.

A short pause this time.

“That’s good,” he announced. “Someone else can have a go.”

I laughed, but it was laughter that came close to tears. What a beautifully simple way to view the world, I thought, as if it was some giant playground. I secretly hoped that through all the swings and roundabouts of life he would always see it this way. It reminded me of something the late comedian, Bill Hicks, used to say at the end of his routine.

“It’s just a ride,” he would say. “Just a ride.”

“That’s a really great way to look at the world,” I said to my son.

“What?” It had already gone from his mind. He was straining in his seat to get a better look out of the window.

“Look Daddy! A combine harvester!”