my first book, PANOPTICON, is out in a few weeks time. it's a collection of poems about trauma, how abuse affects our view of the world, others, and even ourselves. I am sad I was able to write this book. I am glad I did.
those who know, know my name has been mentioned this year in the so-called poetry world, including a statement that my work wasn't good enough to be published and I surely must be sleeping with someone if it does get published. I hope now people can see the book I was writing in that time, and the spine that holds its rage together being male violence, made that experience weirdly ironic but affirmed it was the right book to write. I felt self conscious about my work afterwards, as though I had secretly been a really bad writer all this time and didn't even know. but thanks to the community around me, poets, friends and family, I remembered who I am: that bitch. good at all I do. a villager. a poet.
but I digress. this book isn't about that. this book is about me. these are the words with which I forgive myself and the world. this book is rebellion. it's calling a spade a spade and then refusing to use it. it's vicious and vulnerable and healing, and I'm so excited to share it with you.
the book launches on the 7th of December at Waterstones, Notts, with my poetry collective, without which this wouldn't have been possible. these are some of the most exciting voices in the up and coming poetry world. please come and celebrate each and every writer. you can find tickets to the event, Constellation, on eventbrite and GOBS website.
I'm also planning an event early next year solely for PANOPTICON, where part of the proceeds will go to local charities who provide support and counselling for people who have experienced sexual violence.
buy a copy. see for yourself. am I good enough? scream with me. hold their eyes. tell them to dance
little life update, gig reminder and photo dump ✨️
this year has been so cool for writing, reading and performing already. you can catch me this Wednesday eve supporting legend Luke Wright as part of NPF!
I won the gobs poetry slam at the weekend which was sick (also part of NPF), which means yours truly will be repping Nottingham on Slamovision 2024. It's like Eurovision but for poetry.
I've read 26 books this year so far, part way through another 5. My pace has slowed so much but I'm not scolding myself - I'm doing my review work, reading more that I enjoy, and doing other hobbies too. My writing has picked up recently and so has my language/translation study. Fun!!
gonna do a wrap up with my best reads mid year at the end of June. any recs before then pls send em!! also if anyone has storygraph please be my friend. thanks.
big thanks to Speech Bubble for a lovely event last night. great talent, lovely audience. I gave a full reading of PANOPTICON - if you didn't grab a copy and wish you had, link in my bio! first print run is sold out, second is nearing its end!
📸: @creative.writing.lboro@lborouniarts
can't believe its been a week since PANOPTICON.
thank you to everyone who came out, every guest poet, every open mic-er, for the people who stayed late to play karaoke, and for buying/reading/sharing PANOPTICON. if you haven't got a copy and would like one, the link is in my bio ✨️
huge thank you to @mikconnor_ for these amazing photos 💕
day 8/8 poetry marathon
it's over! I did it! nominating Anna Badu because I know she will write some bangers.
attached is Folio on the bookshelf. I can't get mad bc that's kind of where a Folio belongs.
today's poem is about history repeating itself and being complicit. never again:
never again, we say
and proud we are to say it
no man woman child
no people no person
human rights, we say
and proud we are to say it
health care, housing
no children in sweat shops on
our side of the globe, we say
never again no empty chairs
together, we say. together
you and I and me and you ended that together we say and proud we are to say it and
how dare the body bloat we say
when walls fall and flies swarm
how dare you fight back we say
help me pin this up you say
a rorschach of blood still wet
and what do you see you say
mushroom cloud bloom inching
out and out but we all say all of say
nothing
day 7/8 poetry marathon
guys, I'm going to share something real with you today. I'm not looking for sympathy and please respect my privacy at this trying time. recently my best friend told me they have several best friends. let it be known I object vehemently Rachelle Foster. attached clip as evidence for my appeal submission.
nominating Hunter Manning who needs to write more poems because they're so good!!!!!!!
Betrayal
I've been through some stuff,
seen plenty of shit ,
but this is the insult that finally does it.
You're chatting away, and so an ear I lend,
that's when I hear it, "my best friend".
I beg your finest pardon?
Because I know it's not me,
the story you're telling and the title you decree.
Here I was, a fool no less,
for thinking that I was the friend who's the best.
"Oh I have two, perhaps even three.
You're each my best to different degrees"
A pain in my heart, a knife in my gut,
I thought I was your only. I should be. The fuck?
So I declare it now and I declare it so -
You're a cheat, a meanie, a best friend HOE!
I'm not a pokémon, the challengers I will brawl,
because you can't have three besties, you can't catch 'em all.
The others are great. Or perhaps just good
But best is for one. The greatest. Or so it should.
And isn't this special? This gentle love we have?
Giggling and snapping, a home that always comes back.
So say it ain't so, it's a betrayal I can't accept,
this best mate Olympics, it's Bep Bop neglect.
Beps aren't for Christmas, they're for life and for thee,
so knight me your only, your favourite, your bestie.
day 6/8 poetry marathon
why is this so hard!!! I have a short one today and I cannot promise it won't be short tomorrow. but honestly I'm just glad I've stuck to it so far
today I'm nominating Ben Macpherson who is a hilarious poet and my pebble friend. I know you are already so so busy but I'm not sorry xx
attached photo is a rainbow from my window this afternoon. seems right
-
on hope
lie down, my child
the air sings but lay with me
if you think of sugar hard enough
your mouth will water
I believe there is something after this
I must
you will be there and we won't
imagine for anything
blink the milk from your eyes
and just
look
up
