Just before the Royal Wedding some poems about heart by Simon Barraclough

Wiki Heart

by Simon Barraclough
(from the forthcoming Neptune Blue, Salt Publishing.)
Someone put my heart on Wikipedia.
Just a stub.
Un
     stub
            stantiated
awaiting citations.
The entry is unkind,
I hope that any reader clicks on by
as Dionne Warwick might advise.
Anyone who had a heart
would do well
to set it apart,
ring fence and firewall and snap up its domain
in perpetuity.

Magpie Heart

Stick your ‘gimlet eyes’
into your stuffed and mounted travesties
Don’t flatter yourself that I’d want yours,
to wet my beak
in the inkhorns of your vanities.
When you see me you say,
‘One for sorrow.’
When I see a magpie,
I count myself too,
and every time it’s, ‘Two for joy.’

Simon Barraclough was born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, but has lived in London since 1996. He won the poetry section of the London Writers’ Prize in 2000 and his debut, Los Alamos Mon Amour (Salt Publishing) was a finalist for the Best First Collection in the Forward Poetry Prizes 2008. In 2010 he published a boxed ‘minibook’of commissioned poems, Bonjour Tetris (Penned in the Margins). His work appears in the anthologies Identity Parade (Bloodaxe 2010) and Poems for Love (Penguin 2009).

Orca Heart

I feel safe because I know
your teeth will bend right back
as they encircle me

but in they go.
And now the quicks of all ten nails are gone
from scraping the splintered deck.

You have the better half of me.
Who thought you'd be so inflexible?
I'll never put on a life jacket
again.

NB. Paul Vermeersch also references 'heart' in his poem about a Baboon in Reinvention of the Human Hand. Hope Kate and Wills have a happy marriage. From me, in one.

More Events: Waltham Forest Lit Festival

 Waltham Forest Literature Festival 

Haliburton 4.0 (With Todd Swift, Tiffany Anne Tondut, Public Speech Band with host John Stiles)
Saturday 14 May, 3-4:30 pm
Leytonstone Library
6-8 Church Lane Leytonstone
E11 1HG

Then right after, (if you can't get enough already.)


In other words ( and right after)
Saturday 14 May
Poetry from Gerda Mayer, Kathy Towers, Lorraine Mariner and Graham Clifford + support from members of Forest Poets. Vestry House, Vestry Road, Walthamstow, London E17. Part of Waltham Forest Literature Festival. 6.30pm. £4 on the door includes wine.
Wednesday 18 May
Poetry from Julia Bird, Heather Taylor, Liz Berry and Graham Buchan. Support from members of Forest Poets. Walthamstow Library, High Street, London E17. 7.30pm (doors open 7pm). £4 on the door includes wine. Part of Waltham Forest Literature Festival.

Saturday 21 May
Book-ish - Literary Fair at Leytonstone Library: books, postcards, artists’ prints, magazines, pamphlets, stationary – all on a literary theme. The fair will give participants the opportunity to share their skills with the general public, and to sell a range of products including illustrators’ magazines and fanzines, handmade books, poetry books and pamphlets, fine art and letterpress printers and posters, stationery, postcards and cards. Cakes from Suzie’s Kitchen and music from Tony Tunes of the Shellac Collective, playing vintage 78s. In association with Forest Poets and E17 Designers. 6 Church Lane, Leytonstone. 12 noon to 4pm. £1 entry includes a drink and the chance to win a goody bag. Carolyn Abbott 07904 546 294 or carolyn@carolynabbott.co.uk

Haliburton 4.0

From Canada's East Coast to London's East End?
We're back. Haliburton 4.0 and a right Royal Weddin' Anthem

The London chapter of North America's Oldest Literary Society returns again for its fourth event in London as part of Waltham Forest Literature Festival in The Hall at historic Leytonstone Library, Saturday, May 14th, 3-4:30 pm
Tube: Leytonstone on Central Line

Celebrating the work of Charles Dickens' rival, International writer Thomas Chandler Haliburton, the event celebrates humour and the written word and encourages a lively performance from its readers and encourages a good time for the audience members who enjoy colourful characters and a relaxing but fun atmosphere.

Join event host and poet John Stiles as he invites some of Canada's and London's finest poets and musicians.

Confirmed readers include:

Tiffany Anne Tondut: “Poet, pin-up and occasional contributor/cover girl for the Chap magazine, Tiffany Anne Tondut is a prime contestant for Chap of the Year. She is often seen slinking about the Bohemian quarters of London’s poetry scene, complete with kiss curls and red-stainéd mouth. Oozing sensuality in an effortless revival of bygone glamour, Tiffany is equally at home in pair of outdoor hunting slacks. Person and pen combine to enslave the hearts of gentlemen everywhere! For anyone yet to follow her exploits, she keeps a sizzling blog at tiffanyannetondut.blogspot.com.” Aloysius Nightingale


Todd Swift, Canadian poet, Critic, Writer and Editor of EyeWear

Todd is a lecturer in Creative Writing at Kingston University; a poet, critic, anthologist. Born in Montreal, he has lived in England since 2003. He recently co-edited Modern Canadian Poets, published by Carcanet, reviewed recently by the Globe and Mail.

And if the sensual tones of London's top wordsmiths aren't enough and  you aren't already excited enough about the Royal Wedding, local Hackney band Public Speech will provide a lively accoustic set featuring their new number Royal Wedding.

Public Speech

Public Speech are a kaleidoscope of satire, irony and searing guitar licks distilled by a bad ass rhythm section into a potent attack on just about everything. Along the way Public Speech has created it's own genre and they are just a bit more original than your average Punk, Blues, Rock and Rap band with more than just a bit of comedy thrown in for good measure.

In a recent email, Public Enemy's Chuck D described the lyrics to Public Speech’s 'Lets Sell Out' as "poetic genius". Neville Staples described frontman Joe as “the Man”.

Public Speech have been played on BBC Radio 6 – Tom Robinson 'introducing' show and have supported Neville Staples, Chas And Dave and Marv The Martian to name but a few.

Hosting the event and reading selections from his award winning poetry book, Scouts are Cancelled as well as his novel Taking the Stairs as well as debuting work from a novel-in-progress will be Annapolis Valley Nova Scotian native and current Leytonstone resident John Stiles.



The event is free but please support the acts.
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