Park Poetry, Bristol, 11 April 2014

A lovely review of the evening by fellow reader and poet Matt Merritt.

Alasdair Paterson's Brumaire and Later, second selection

Here is my second selection from Alasdair's pamphlet. For a reminder of the context, please read the second paragraph here.




Swifts


You were there,
I was over here,
the swifts were 
everywhere between
being transcendental and
complicated and always
trapped in their velocities.


Their stitchwork fell apart
like old infatuation,
like the ghost of fireworks,
until dusk thickened 
and they were only
shivers in it.


I moved closer.
You let me help with
your imaginary shawl.




Alasdair Paterson
Brumaire and Later (Flarestack Poets, 2010)




You can buy a copy of Brumaire and Later directly from the publisher for a mere £5.50 including postage.

Two readings, two reviews

I'm just back from Beeston, near Nottingham, where I read at The Flying Goose Cafe last night with C.J. Allen and Joe Coghlan. It was a lovely evening, thanks to organizers Sarah Jackson and Éireann Lorsung's care. The night before, I read with Alasdair Paterson and Robbie Vane at The Garden Cafe in Frome; thanks to organizer Crysse Morrison for her kindness and support. 

Today I learn both have been reviewed online: Morrison on her blog entry for 15 June; and Alan Baker on his blog. Thanks to both for their appreciative comments! Two splendid nights running!

Tonight, Frome!

Alasdair Paterson's Brumaire and Later, first selection

It's been out for a while, but only last week did I obtain Alasdair Paterson's pamphlet, Brumaire and Later. The poems are wonderfully precise and taut. Alasdair has given me permission to post here two poems from the pamphlet, one from each section; it helps to be familiar with the context, available on the publisher's website here (so go read the second paragraph on that page and come back).

Celery

Today we'll be looking through

what's called the revolutionary window.

Each time it opens and shuts

the view is bound to change.

Change is brought to you today

in the name of these laden country folk

who've groped their way to market.

We'll explain it to them later.

Meantime we recommend the celery,

free from the earth, its prison;

so elegant, so palely bred by now

you'd think it wouldn't snap.

It snaps; and pricks your eyes

with an extract of summers

strong-armed from you, the lives

your children should have had.

And with the antidote it carries:

a fizzy virtue of fresh beginnings.

Beginnings waiting for us all,

both sides of the revolutionary window.

Alasdair Paterson

Brumaire and Later (Flarestack Poets, 2010)

You can buy a copy of Brumaire and Later directly from the publisher for a mere £5.50 including postage.

Poetry Picnic at the Porlock Arts Festival, Saturday 11 September 2010

I can't attend, but dearly wish I could! Poets due to read include Tim Allen, Lyndon Davies, Giles Goodland, Alasdair Paterson, Frances Presley, Gavin Selerie, Sam Smith, Steve Spence, and many others. The organiser is Tilla Brading.

POETRY PICNIC PROGRAMME

Saturday, September 11^th 2010

at the PORLOCK ARTS FESTIVAL

in Jubilee Garden or (if wet) Small Hall

Entrance at gate £3.50 Poetry book stall

TIME	EVENT
11.00 – 11.15	Music: Eileen Ann Moore & Jim Parham - Folk Songs & Guitar
11.15 – 11.40	FIRE RIVER POETS
11.40 – 12.05	INDIVIDUALS Jo/Chris/John/Rosemary/Jillian
12.05 – 12.15	Music: Eileen Ann Moore & Jim Parham - Folk Songs & Guitar
12.15 – 12.40	UNCUT POETS
12.40 - 1.05	POETS FROM LONDON ETC..
1.05 – 2.00	Lunch, Music (1.30-40) followed by Open Mic (1.40-2.00-sign up!)
2.00 – 2.25	POETS FROM WALES
2.25 – 2.50	PLYMOUTH LANGUAGE CLUB
2.50 – 3.00	Music: Eileen Ann Moore & Jim Parham - Folk Songs & Guitar
3.00 – 4.00	GUEST POET: Harriet Tarlo

http://www.porlockfestival.org/

"on suicide" and "on civil war" by Alasdair Paterson

Two more short poems from Alasdair Paterson's new collection:

on suicide

almost his

last thing

that weekend

planting out bulbs

footnotes for the spring

on civil war

following inundation infestation invasion

measure countermeasure and scorched earth

crops officially pitiful and stores covertly emptied

here is an announcement from the ministry

let them eat roots

thank you

here is an announcement from the military

I wouldn't dig

just there

if I were you

Alasdair Paterson

On the Governing of Empires (Shearsman, 2010)

You can order On the Governing of Empires directly from the publisher or from The Book Depository with free worldwide delivery.

"On Heresy" by Alasdair Paterson

on heresy

stars come solitaries first

then a host like

pilgrims no crusaders

this rock that bleached

all day in the sun

still isn't white enough

do you prefer

the desert places or

the cities of the plain

I like best the view

of lights from up here

a breath of rosemary

perfection in the air

but the bridge is the devil's

Alasdair Paterson

the opening poem of On the Governing of Empires (Shearsman, 2010)

You can order On the Governing of Empires directly from the publisher or from The Book Depository with free worldwide delivery.