Who Knew? Charlie Sheen: The Poet

With Charlie Sheen fresh in the news, the media has picked up on his previous history as a Poet. He has one published book which is rare to find, I understand from this online article by GQ. From these examples he presents a short and concise style of writing. However, I am reminded how effective poetry can be to provide a window into the emotions behind the writer's outside persona, this being particularly effective when seeing 'behind' the media portrayal of a celebrity. Poetry seems to unlock something that prose doesn't: a stark reflection of the inner mind, with no fillers or description to crowd out the purity of meaning. Prose takes more words to do something that poetry does in less, yet with deeper impact. It is in what is not said that power of this communicative medium lies. 

EMD Week Performance Poetry Evening

Fresh from an evening at work, which hosted a Performance Poetry Evening, I am basking in the delight of dipping in to my passion for a while in an unexpected context. It was like being home from home and it was a delight to see students come to the fore with unearthed talent. After reading a 'medium' serious poem, vetted for its suitableness in front of students, I shared a couple of light hearted poems of a thematic series, (that of 'no sleep'). It was great to have an unaffected audience, not out to prove anything, just there for the delight of sharing in a great evening of poetry and musical talent. Well done to my fantastic colleague who set the evening up with a great choice of location, and a professional looking stage setting. Photos might follow if they emerge.

Spoken Word - Filming

I've just come back from spending the day filming two spoken word poems in a local park and lake area to represent the seasons 'Summer' and 'Autumn'. This was to reflect two of the seasons that we may experience in our life of faith as we go through our lives and will be used to accompany a sermon series at church which will be delivered in the next few months. It was an interesting experience from the visual techniques used to memorise the words, to an appreciation of the stages involved with filming and editing a video as I watched my colleague in this creative project at work. Delivery of the poems was achieved when both sitting and walking, which was also a great experience to test the effectiveness of both the preparation process ahead of the day and the memory techniques used. Interestingly, this has put to rest a long lived insecurity that I had from my days in a public speaking club, where I lost my words halfway through a five minute speech and had to check my notes. Admittedly, the length of the speech back then was longer than the poems I read for these videos, but the distractions of the outside environment, along with the forward motion whilst walking, were satisfying challenges to overcome. It's been a good day.

Poetry Unplugged

So, this evening I finally took part in an open mic event. I've read poems out at a local poetry reading before, and spontaneously at conferences or church events, but this was with microphone at the Poetry Café 'Poetry Unplugged' event in London. The poetry readings were in the basement below the café, so I bought a drink at the bar upstairs and went down below to sign myself up for a reading. The room was small, with enough seating for about 40 people. I noticed that I was number 35 on the sign up list, so I was in for a long night - though understanding the etiquette that you don't leave half way through once an evening has started, especially if you read in the first half. The small crowd grew and the buzz began to build. There were such a range of characters in the room: old / young; modern / traditional; student / professional; 'arty' / cool; and other such society sector categories. The young American next to me, here on a creative writing course for the summer, began practising his 'spits', taking the tension up to the next level. The man to my right was calmly reading over his lyrical creation, perhaps practising, perhaps choosing which to read. I had been informed by the MC that poets would have 4 minutes at the microphone, to do with whatever we wished. I began to mull over my own choices: should I bare my soul and read 'Disappointment' - a tale of heart ache angst, lightened only by the love that I feel from heaven, thereby exposing my faith, or stick to a more 'socially acceptable' theme - school or death, perhaps. Whatever, I put my hair up. It's going to get hot in here. 

And so it did, throughout the hour and a half of poet filled angst at the mic, I needed some air. It was half time and I hadn't been up yet. I had signed up just fifteen minutes before the cut off time after all. I made mental plans to sign up earlier next time. However, it turned out that the order you sign up, isn't always the order in which you speak. As one of the proclaimed 'Poetry Unplugged Virgins' I got to go ahead of the remaining regulars towards the end. Having heard a range of poets and points of view, I dived in and read 'Disappointment'. It was met with noises of deep appreciation from the front rows of the crowd. It was hard to know how it was being met whilst concentrating on delivery, but I was there to flex my poetic muscles and to find my voice in a place where any viewpoint would do. I was there to push through any insecurities about what I should and shouldn't read in front of others. They (the abused; homosexuals; God haters...) have a voice, and so do I. Their voice is no more important than mine and nor is mine more important than theirs. I have a voice and have a right to be heard. It was also good to find a place where poets were understood, where angst of the soul was accepted as the 'norm' and where sharing words was considered to be an evening out well spent. I have found my home: amongst poets.

Spoken Word: Walk and Talk

I'm researching ways to present Spoken Word in different ways for a current project. Here are some different styles I've found: 'Face to camera (plus words)'; 'Animation accompanied'; 'Walk and talk' (names created by me rather than 'official' terms). See this link for 'Walk and Talk' (WARNING: Adult language used), see below for 'Animation Accompanied' (despite this not being a poem, it is the style of the animation which inspires me), and further below for 'Face to Camera (plus words). 

Spoken Word: Animation Accompanied

Spoken Word: Face to Camera (plus words)

Grime vs Spoken Word

BBC Radio 1 produced a Live Lounge special entitled: 'Grime vs Spoken Word Special' (5/6/15). It was a fantastic series of duets from the two styles, enabling the sound of lesser known artists to come to the fore. Check it out.

BBC: The Poets Will Be Heard

The accompanying blurb for this BBC programme stated: 'The UK’s leading spoken word poets share how they found their voice. Featuring George The Poet, Suli Breaks, Hollie Poetry and more.' It was a short but interesting programme about the rising voice of poets in the country and how it can be used to connect people with stories. I was particularly impacted by the words of George the Poet in his poem 'Impossible': '...there are no winners until someone's won it, you won't know what I'm capable of until I've done it. ...Fear of trying is fear of flying. ...you are starting to doubt yourself, ...now you're worried about people calling your bluff, second guessing your ability and all of your stuff, but no: you alone is more than enough. ...I knew my time would come eventually, so I celebrate every test that's sent to me, because what's about to be, was meant to be. It's remarkable to try, but I can't afford to die, knowing my ambition didn't kill me. Forget the voice of reason, listen to the real me: no guts, no glory.' I'm tempted to buy his book. The more I listen or read other people's poetry, the more I realise we all have our own niche. Everyone's words have a place and a purpose.

Heaven Touches Earth

I'm finally typing up more poems from my poem journals. I'm way behind, typing up poems from July 2013+. I have a long typing session / sessions ahead of me! I've updated up to 605 poems, with more to go. Despite sounding like a laborious task, typing them up gives me the opportunity to 'live' them again, to feel how I felt when I wrote them, and to experience the presence of God that I felt in that moment. Sometimes it's an emotional experience, which I allow myself the space to press into. Others, they bring me joy again. I so appreciate the gift of words to express my journey with God. Heaven touches earth every now and again...

On a wider note, poetry is just one of the methods that I use to journal my way through the ups and downs of life. I love doodling in my sketch book and listening to music, both of which help me enter God's presence. Life is good when Heaven touches earth...

'Released' Women's Conference TBC 31 Jan 2015

It was a pleasure to have been part of the programme at the 'Released' Women's Conference held at Tonbridge Baptist Church today. The worship at the start was incredible, the speaker, Jenny Baker, presented a discussion about gender equality, image and empowerment, and the lunch included a wonderful rustic bread and cheese spread. My eyes widened on seeing what looked like a French dinner table scene. In the afternoon, I had been asked to lead a workshop on 'Released to Create', in which we explored a range of ways to release our creativity with words. I used Isaiah 55:8-9 as inspiration to reach higher than our normal self-imposed limits, whilst Isaiah 55:10-11 was used to encourage those who felt less confident in their potential:

Isaiah 55:8-11 New International Version (NIV)

 

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

 

Having the pictures of enlarged flowers in my mind to represent the buds flourishing, I had a go at an overdue creative project and made some giant paper flowers, formation and materials courtesy of Pinterest and a wonderful trip to Hobbycraft. Some lovely women participated in the workshop, reminding me that gold can be found in the fewest of words, whilst experience and context can make some writing styles more accessible for some than others. It was a precious time of personal reflection and intimate sharing. Feedback as we worked our way through various word play techniques included: 'It was fun! I did things I did not think I could do.' Thank you for making it enjoyable to lead.

 

  

 

 

Abandoman - Improvisation

This evening I went to see 'Abandoman', described as 'Ireland's top comedy hip hop improv team with their biggest show to date'. They have performed at the Edinburgh Festival and have supported Ed Sheeran on his UK tour. Improvisation, story telling with the use of audience participation and flowing words create an entertaining evening of word prowess. I felt exhausted for him. It's quite hard work thinking up rhymes for an hour solid. Yet he managed, despite some unfortunately placid audience offerings, and, ably accompanied by his musician 'band' mates, he fed off those who offered richer pickings for his word gymnastics. It was an hour, so short, but intense and held your attention throughout. I'd like to see them with a different audience to see how they adapt to the different context.