I had a wonderful day last Saturday at Inpress books Poetry Garden Market on the Southbank ‘lawn’, outside of Foyles. The sun shone, in true Indian Summer fashion, on an afternoon of readings by great new poets, including some of my personal favourites, Hannah Lowe and John Wedgewood Clarke. Come seven o’clock when it was time to read my poem, ‘September After Rain’, which won second prize (it was a Clean Sweep for the North East!) in the Indian Summer competition, I’d been through a lot. I’d been through the ‘what am I doing here, my poem’s not good enough, I’m not really a poet,’ to – bouyed up by my lovely, kind daughter and wonderful words from the judge Steve O’Brien, Editor of The London Magazine, – my poem is good enough its been chosen, this a great occasion, I’m a poet and I’m going to enjoy it.
The reading felt intensely public: out of doors, on the Southbank, people in nearby cafes and passers by listening in – it was like telling your poem to the world. Thankfully there was a microphone and London threw its beautiful evening sky at me. I think I managed OK, I certainly found a friendly face in the audience, but my legs turned to jelly and shook as I read and that’s never happened to me before.
Afterwards there were flowers and much needed wine. Inpress and Foyles staff made it a great evening with a truly celebratory feel – so many thanks to all – I had the best time!
The poem, like the cake, looks and tastes delicious! I wonder if your trips to Durham’s Botanic Gardens helped inspire the September poem?
Congratulations on being a winner. Love the photo.
GW
You’re right Gillian those trips to the Botanic gardens definitely helped inspire the poem – so I think I need to get back there. I’m going to put it in my diary for next week.
A x
Congratulations, Avril. Sounds like a wonderful event except for the ‘jelly legs’. I had a similar reaction the first time I had to stand on a stage, with lights, mic etc. Well out of my comfort zone. Made myself repeat the experience in order to imprint a more positive physical response over the top. I wonder if the outdoor arena was the trigger for you as we are more accustomed to indoor readings.
Yes I do think it being outdoors made it seem very different – and of course it was London too. But it was worth the jelly legs!
A x
I loved your poem, Avril Joy — particularly your glinting thread of water and your ending, which captures so well that fugitive spirit of soft September.
Thanks Ray – good to hear from you and glad you liked the poem.
A
Well done on winning, and doubly well done for reading it !!!
I know the hell of public performance from past piano recitals.
And poetry, that crystallized intimacy laid bare to the many.
Not so bad if someone somewhere is reading your verse while you’re throwing a stick for the dog or looking out of a window. But to read it yourself, the risk and vulnerability . . . It’s like the first time you take your clothes off for a new lover.
I agree, poetry is such an intimate medium – no wonder my legs shook!
A