Blog - Literature
Signs; Not Shutting Up
February 13, 2020 - by Richard DownesI can’t remember the film poster I cribbed these lines from. It was there in my local tube station. At the bottom of the stairs. When I stole the slogan I’m sure it had another resonance for me than the lyrics formed today. Might have had something to do with ...
Juice; Hit Head Bang Wall
February 6, 2020 - by Richard DownesYoko’s Wall Piece to Orchestra says only; ‘Hit a wall with your head’. How many times have we done that. How many times have we said the same thing over and over again. There are two voices in this piece. The ones like me, like you, like ...
Introduction; To A Break Down
February 4, 2020 - by Richard DownesAn unusual thing for me…. I’m starting to have kittens. Where is that nerveless self when needed. Consequently, my stammer is re-appearing. Consequently, I think back to when all this was supposed to have started. The school nativity play. Play up to expectations is a piece of advice someone once gave me. ...
Introduction; I’ll Put This One There
January 28, 2020 - by Richard Downes2019, I’ll be curating 6 poetry events a the Karamel Restaurant, Wood Green, London. The Introductions series started with my desire as a performance poet to introduce my work in a different way to saying this came from A and went with Z. But now as a curator, performer and ...
Liz Bentley doing a jigsaw and dry January while waiting for the Tesco Delivery Man
January 20, 2020 - by Liz BentleyIf I'd have known giving up alcohol would have this effect, I would be a different person. I wouldn't have had so many mental fun times, boyfriends and tales to tell, but who knows what I may have been capable of? It's early days but re sleep, the first week ...
Initial; A Father’s Gifts
January 15, 2020 - by Richard DownesThe book of instructions I use for this series suggests I should remember the first gift I bought for Father’s Day. Its strange to think I can barely remember a gift I gave my dad. On my next birthday I’ll be one year short of 40 years without him. Today ...
Declaration 18, Joshua losing the battle, he goes
January 13, 2020 - by Richard DownesAnother article from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which I focus on in order to create poetry for a conservation project here in deep dark Crouch End, London. Article 18. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, ...
The Challenge; Message To A Son
January 2, 2020 - by Richard DownesNovember’s Challenge from the Highgate Society’s Poetry Group, which meets on the first monday of the month, was to respond to two themes; 1) who do you think you are and 2) in praise of vandals. Traveling by train from Pallant House, Chicester, where I was contributing to a Share ...
Bah humbug from Liz Bentley while waiting for the Tesco delivery man
December 25, 2019 - by Liz BentleyI struggle with Xmas, but try my best to do the 'Merry Xmas' thing. It's exhausting to be happy, excited and full of joy, when inside the familiar feelings of isolation and detachment whirl around my head. I have to fight to them off as best I can, I don't ...
The Challenge; Festivities
December 24, 2019 - by Richard DownesDecember’s challenge from the Highgate Society’s Poetry Group was to do a poem on the festivities. I looked back through the prism of time and remembered my time involved in the first DPAC action on the Housing Emergency. The Challenge; Festivities A nativity scene A Norwegian tree Trafalgar Square DPAC announce Emergency Housing Crisis Stephen Lee Hodgkins ...