I have this one poem that took me three whole years to write. I started it as a note on my phone, when I was waiting, drunk and maudlin, for the last train to take me back to Didcot. For the next few years, every time I felt especially low, I’d open up the file […]
Poetry
What is this thing? A
category description
done in haiku bro.
Conditions Under Which I Will Happily Work For Free – an Exhaustive List
If you want to book a poet to perform at your night, you need to pay them from £50 for a newer, local poet, up to several hundred for an established name. There comes a point where poetry isn’t just a quirky hobby, it’s a job, and jobs need payment. You know this, though. Of […]
10 Thoughts You Have 10 Minutes Before Going On Stage
Wait. Do I need a wee? No, shhhh, it’s just nerves, you’re fine. This is terrifying. What if I forget all my words? What if I don’t forget my words, but it turns out all my words are terrible and everyone hates it and they hate me and I will have failed forever? This is […]
Nemesis
When I make cups of tea, You won’t get a teabag to yourself. You will get my leftover teabag, So your tea will contain almost no caffeine, Because I will have taken it And I will intentionally over brew Your second hand tea, So that it is dark And unpleasantly tannin-y Seeing you wince after […]
Sentences
Once I get it it’s strange as I imagine this is what being hypnotised might feel like. This cold weather makes it worse. Of course. I am glad I came. I told you before This would be the route we were going to be taking. I surprise myself when I talk about stuff and remember […]
Three Questions
Ruth: Question 1) What do you want to be when you grow up? Lucy: Braver. I want to be fearless, like a mighty Amazonian, or perhaps Boudicca. I sometimes think I don’t stand up for myself enough. Alternatively, a labrador. They always look like they’re having such a good time. Ruth: Question 2) Scenario – […]
How I Fell In Love With Poetry
I haven’t been posting lately. I wrote a poetry show, though. Seriously! A whole show, with words, and poems, and feminist theory and a song at the end and EVERYTHING. I mean, it’s not done yet, obviously, but it’s a solid, recognisable first draft. I am thrilled. Also surprised. I did an MA in Writing, […]
Three Haikus About Overlong Train Rides
Five hours. Four changes. Lunch left on edge of platform but not crying. Yet. Not in Oxford yet. I started whining early. Fucking Doncaster. We rail together. I don’t hate everyone, no. Solidarity.
Barely Bullingdon
I did a really nice gig last night. They were lovely. I’m glad I put on a dress for them. They put me on in the second half, which is a compliment and nicer to perform, and gave me a bit of cake. The most I’ve EVER been paid to perform is a glass of […]