Poetry London Competition
1st Prize £1000
plus publication in the magazine
Judge: Neil Astley
click on the title above for more details...
Wednesday 18 April 2012
About a Dog
We found a dog in our free period.
Decided it was lost, named it Alec,
looked under its tail to check.
Suddenly we were children faced with a decision.
We walked away, Alec followed.
Alec didn't look like a biter;
no collar; clean paws; no frothing at the mouth
i.e. rabies free.
The policewoman asked us questions,
we said, "His name's Alec".
He stared a betrayal at us - wagged his tail.
We had just started 'Tess of the D'urbervilles
and didn't know. The teachers with no imagination
asked, "What were you doing wandering in town?"
Mr Dams smiled with his eyes and said,
"Trust you two!"
We picked wiry dog hairs off our jumpers
during double Psychology -
'The Mating Ritual of a Stickleback
can teach us how other animals court. Discuss
1000 words'.
We drew willies on Ali's folder the whole lesson.
Our future was the weekend.
We forgot about Alec.
Decided it was lost, named it Alec,
looked under its tail to check.
Suddenly we were children faced with a decision.
We walked away, Alec followed.
Alec didn't look like a biter;
no collar; clean paws; no frothing at the mouth
i.e. rabies free.
The policewoman asked us questions,
we said, "His name's Alec".
He stared a betrayal at us - wagged his tail.
We had just started 'Tess of the D'urbervilles
and didn't know. The teachers with no imagination
asked, "What were you doing wandering in town?"
Mr Dams smiled with his eyes and said,
"Trust you two!"
We picked wiry dog hairs off our jumpers
during double Psychology -
'The Mating Ritual of a Stickleback
can teach us how other animals court. Discuss
1000 words'.
We drew willies on Ali's folder the whole lesson.
Our future was the weekend.
We forgot about Alec.
Tuesday 3 April 2012
IF YOU'RE A POET - DON'T MISS THIS ON 14TH APRIL!
Getting Your Poetry Published: A Seminar Session with Neil Astley
Organisation: B&NES Arts Development
Date: Saturday 14 April, 10.30am-12.30pm
Price: £10, £8 concessions
Venue: BRLSI, Queens Square, BA1 2HN
Book Now!
Neil Astley of Bloodaxe Books offers a nuts-and-bolts examination of the whys and wherefores of getting your poetry published in books and magazines.
This seminar led by Neil Astley, Editor and Managing Director of Bloodaxe Books offers a nuts-and-bolts examination of the whys and wherefores of getting poetry published in books and magazines. Neil has published hundreds of poets but has also had to reject many more. He offers an informed, insider's view of poetry publishing and bookselling.
The session involves a general reality check as well as attention to particular concerns and questions.
Not to be missed.
Neil Astley has edited nearly a thousand poetry books and published several bestselling anthologies. He won a Gregory Award for his own poetry, and has published two poetry collections, Darwin Survivor and Biting My Tongue. He has previously been a board member of the Poetry Book Society.
Organisation: B&NES Arts Development
Date: Saturday 14 April, 10.30am-12.30pm
Price: £10, £8 concessions
Venue: BRLSI, Queens Square, BA1 2HN
Book Now!
Neil Astley of Bloodaxe Books offers a nuts-and-bolts examination of the whys and wherefores of getting your poetry published in books and magazines.
This seminar led by Neil Astley, Editor and Managing Director of Bloodaxe Books offers a nuts-and-bolts examination of the whys and wherefores of getting poetry published in books and magazines. Neil has published hundreds of poets but has also had to reject many more. He offers an informed, insider's view of poetry publishing and bookselling.
The session involves a general reality check as well as attention to particular concerns and questions.
Not to be missed.
Neil Astley has edited nearly a thousand poetry books and published several bestselling anthologies. He won a Gregory Award for his own poetry, and has published two poetry collections, Darwin Survivor and Biting My Tongue. He has previously been a board member of the Poetry Book Society.
News from Fire River Poets
After the wonderful assortment of poetry at our March reading with the uplifting poems of Rose Flint alongside our usual variety of open mic offerings which were all shades from dark to light, from fun to disturbing, we offer our usual mix of poetry and discussion at our poetry cafe on 5 April.
All we ask is that you bring along a poem of your own that you would like to read and be prepared to join in the debate on poetic forms and styles, techniques and problems, on competitions and magazines, on publishers and the internet. In other words, on every issue that is current in poetry today. One of our Fire River Poets members, Anthony Watts, who has four publications to his credit, will lead off as our featured poet for the evening by reading some of his latest work and perhaps answering a few questions, but thereafter, the evening is yours ...
To newcomers I say: "don't be shy". If you have never read your own work in public before, this is an ideal opportunity to do so in front of a friendly audience of fellow poets.
John
All we ask is that you bring along a poem of your own that you would like to read and be prepared to join in the debate on poetic forms and styles, techniques and problems, on competitions and magazines, on publishers and the internet. In other words, on every issue that is current in poetry today. One of our Fire River Poets members, Anthony Watts, who has four publications to his credit, will lead off as our featured poet for the evening by reading some of his latest work and perhaps answering a few questions, but thereafter, the evening is yours ...
To newcomers I say: "don't be shy". If you have never read your own work in public before, this is an ideal opportunity to do so in front of a friendly audience of fellow poets.
John
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