Oxford must be one of the few places in the world where one will brush by a poet on the bus. Most of us are grateful when they remain unidentified. Dire, turgid recitals are commonplace. So it is an uplifting surprise when six local poets present their work, sensitive to the needs of their audience.
The location - Art Jericho - provided the perfect ambience for their presentation; an intimate gallery, displaying a stunning array of "Earth and Sky" landscape paintings by Addy Gardner; 'She pushed me to fly…' Finding a cosy nook on such a freezing night and being greeted by the owner, Jenny Blyth, with a hot ginger cordial or a glass of wine is as perfect as it gets to set a mood for listening.
John Elinger began, quipping that the poets had performed in Oxford twice before. They might already be called a 'movement'! The variety within his six short poems, however, defied anyone naming it. The range of the work presented followed no pattern whatever, though the poets addressed 'earth and sky' from a multitude of perspectives. John's selection kept closely to the landscape brief with Drought and Seascape. His preference for confronting the reality of ageing and death did not deny his subtle humour and ready wit. "Being silly makes you happy … or less sad" It was a solid 'feet on the earth' start, hugely enjoyable and profound, too.
Paulette Mae followed, but didn't follow (if you follow that!). Her poetry was recited from memory with a voice like a musical instrument bathing the room with warm cadences. Her landscapes included a rich and memorable set of visual metaphors; one set at the infirmary development. She is an exceptionally talented young woman who will no doubt produce many more treasures with her pen. She gave us but four and left us wanting more.
David Olsen rounded off the first half. His well-established repertoire is becoming well known. He confidently had us joining in "Snowbound in East Coker" with the apt refrain " Scrape…fling… flump!" to clear even more of the white stuff after the New England "After First Frost". (And alluding to Robert in other ways, too!) We hoped not to have to "drive with tense jaws into the sleet" after the show! His "Aboard the Idle Mind Express" is my favourite - (possibly a hymn to indolence!), but the depth of David's work always rewards further reading.
That could be said for all the poets. If I have any critique, it is merely that I appreciate seeing the words on the page as I hear them.
The second half, though, was equally rich. Simon Altmann's five poems included one set in Port Meadow. He advised us fellows of an age to throw away all our love poems - referring especially to those we might have written decades ago. He broke his rule with two delightful pieces, brimming with the passion of first bites of the apple: an excellent link to the poems of Caroline Ashley.
Caroline's sensitive, exquisitely structured poems; "Enigmas", "Driftwood", "Volcanoes", "Prophesy" and "Contagion" were read with a relaxed resolve that penetrated and moved us. Iron fist in velvet glove. "Volcanoes" - following a narrative of, "Smoke as the wind's bride" twists and winds into the reader. Her images haunt, tantalisingly less than tangible. Wonderful!
Michael Swan concluded with a selection that had us laughing out loud and deeply moved, too. "Parrot" was perfect for Oxford, very amusing yet barbed, reminding us that words can take us away from meaning as easily as they can takes us into it. He parodied incompetent amateur poets, too with "Atmospheric Poem" which ends, after a somewhat grandiose pretentious opening with - "I'm getting bored. You write the rest"! Michael left us with much deeper thoughts, however. His new collection is out in 2011.
It was a most satisfying and satiating way to conclude a delightful evening.
The poets are bound to book a gig at the Oxfringe Festival next year. Try not to miss them!
The location - Art Jericho - provided the perfect ambience for their presentation; an intimate gallery, displaying a stunning array of "Earth and Sky" landscape paintings by Addy Gardner; 'She pushed me to fly…' Finding a cosy nook on such a freezing night and being greeted by the owner, Jenny Blyth, with a hot ginger cordial or a glass of wine is as perfect as it gets to set a mood for listening.
John Elinger began, quipping that the poets had performed in Oxford twice before. They might already be called a 'movement'! The variety within his six short poems, however, defied anyone naming it. The range of the work presented followed no pattern whatever, though the poets addressed 'earth and sky' from a multitude of perspectives. John's selection kept closely to the landscape brief with Drought and Seascape. His preference for confronting the reality of ageing and death did not deny his subtle humour and ready wit. "Being silly makes you happy … or less sad" It was a solid 'feet on the earth' start, hugely enjoyable and profound, too.
Paulette Mae followed, but didn't follow (if you follow that!). Her poetry was recited from memory with a voice like a musical instrument bathing the room with warm cadences. Her landscapes included a rich and memorable set of visual metaphors; one set at the infirmary development. She is an exceptionally talented young woman who will no doubt produce many more treasures with her pen. She gave us but four and left us wanting more.
David Olsen rounded off the first half. His well-established repertoire is becoming well known. He confidently had us joining in "Snowbound in East Coker" with the apt refrain " Scrape…fling… flump!" to clear even more of the white stuff after the New England "After First Frost". (And alluding to Robert in other ways, too!) We hoped not to have to "drive with tense jaws into the sleet" after the show! His "Aboard the Idle Mind Express" is my favourite - (possibly a hymn to indolence!), but the depth of David's work always rewards further reading.
That could be said for all the poets. If I have any critique, it is merely that I appreciate seeing the words on the page as I hear them.
The second half, though, was equally rich. Simon Altmann's five poems included one set in Port Meadow. He advised us fellows of an age to throw away all our love poems - referring especially to those we might have written decades ago. He broke his rule with two delightful pieces, brimming with the passion of first bites of the apple: an excellent link to the poems of Caroline Ashley.
Caroline's sensitive, exquisitely structured poems; "Enigmas", "Driftwood", "Volcanoes", "Prophesy" and "Contagion" were read with a relaxed resolve that penetrated and moved us. Iron fist in velvet glove. "Volcanoes" - following a narrative of, "Smoke as the wind's bride" twists and winds into the reader. Her images haunt, tantalisingly less than tangible. Wonderful!
Michael Swan concluded with a selection that had us laughing out loud and deeply moved, too. "Parrot" was perfect for Oxford, very amusing yet barbed, reminding us that words can take us away from meaning as easily as they can takes us into it. He parodied incompetent amateur poets, too with "Atmospheric Poem" which ends, after a somewhat grandiose pretentious opening with - "I'm getting bored. You write the rest"! Michael left us with much deeper thoughts, however. His new collection is out in 2011.
It was a most satisfying and satiating way to conclude a delightful evening.
The poets are bound to book a gig at the Oxfringe Festival next year. Try not to miss them!