Wednesday 30 December 2009

Poetry reading.

The weather here is abysmal - dark, grey, cold, sleeting - not a single thing to commend it. All the more reason then to enjoy our Poetry Reading Afternoon. Once a month a group of friends meet to read poetry aloud. I can thoroughly recommend it as a relaxing pastime for a winter's afternoon. I know we can all sit and read poetry at home, but listening to someone else's choice read aloud is so much better.
We sat in a friend's sitting room, a lovely fire in the grate, the tea pot to hand, along with a plate of chocolate biscuits - and we listened. Wendy read UA Fanthorpe plus various pieces from a Christmas anthology; Joan read a piece from Chaucer and some of the poems of RS Thomas; Dorothy read Dorothy Parker and Carol Ann Duffy; Sylvia read poems in Lancashire dialect and I read Seamus Heaney's North, a poem by Don Paterson, Digging up the Bones by Imtiaz Dharker and a couple from Gwilym Williams's Genteel Messages (you got a mention, Poet).
What it means is that we listen to poems we would probably never think of reading for ourselves. Sometimes the reader gives a little introduction and sometimes we have a discussion afterwards. But the main reason for meeting is to enjoy poetry. Try it sometime.

14 comments:

Jinksy said...

Chance would be a great thing...

steven said...

weaver this links you to a tradition extending back a very long time of gathering to share stories in the depths of winter . . . . . so cool! have a lovely evening in the dale. steven

Gigi Ann said...

Ohhh...That sounds so relaxing and fun. What a great day to spend an afternoon, with friends and food. ; )

Jenn Jilks said...

A lovely way
to brighten the day!

Rachel Fox said...

Perfect!
x

Kim Palmer said...

Catching up on your recent posts! Loved the one about the trees, quite my favourite things I think! Love them at every season of the year. They are a perfect reminder of the passing of the seasons and never fail to inspire me! It was nice to see that when you look out at that cold scene in your window that you see the history of what has befallen the landscape not just the dark and drab day! Love the idea of the poetry reading session wth friends! What a joy to be able to share that with others!

Heather said...

A lovely way to extend ones knowledge of poetry Weaver, and a lovely way to spend a horrid, dismal winter afternoon.

Elisabeth said...

It sounds so lovely, Weaver.

I notice the names of your readers and the names of your poets, almost a gender split.

While I was away before Christmas at my writers retreat the creative director commented on the ratio of five women to one man who attend these events.

It's so sad that more of our men do not get into such readings and experiences. It seems it's like this wherever I go, though I have found in blog land the ratio seems a bit better balanced. There are more men blogging.

I'm trying to encourage my husband at the moment to start blog on photography, his passion. I think like poetry readings blogging, is a wonderful, creative and enriching past time.

BT said...

What a splendid idea Weaver but I don't think it would ever happen here!

Dinesh chandra said...

Hi the poem of Chaucer is very difficult to read and also understand, He was the first poet who try to wrote in english, I read his Canterbury Tales, The old Inn and the poetry in the form of tales.

This is the great chance if some find poetry with the tea.

Regards

Dinesh Chandra

Dianne said...

Hmm, It is wonderful
I am glad you shared it so deliciously
my writing group meets once a month, has 10-14 readers with just enough time for critique, after 2 1/2 hours. I think every writer should start one. I get more constructive ideas than from paid conferences.

Happy new year.

Gwil W said...

Thank you Weaver. And also for your comment on 'Night'.

Acornmoon said...

I would like to wish you and the farmer a very happy, peaceful and inspirational New Year.

Totalfeckineejit said...

Brilliant idea, Weaver, I would love to do that.You have such an idylic life there on that cosy farm nestled down in Wensleydale.I'm coming along to the next reading, put out another chair near the fire. HAPPY NEW YEAR!